The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education signed off on new degrees at nine institutions, including the state’s first industrial design program and a joint nursing degree with MUSC.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education approved 17 new academic programs at nine colleges and universities during its business meeting Thursday, according to the commission.
The new programs span undergraduate, graduate and specialized training offerings in artificial intelligence, information technology and health care, and all align with priority occupations identified in South Carolina’s Unified State Plan for Education and Workforce Development, according to the commission.
“These programs reflect how South Carolina’s colleges and universities are responding to changes in technology, industry and the needs of our communities,” said Dr. Angela W. Peters, the commission’s director of academic affairs and licensing. “By recognizing and expanding opportunities in fields such as artificial intelligence and healthcare, our institutions are preparing students for relevant careers as they enter the workforce.”
Clemson University received approval for four programs, including bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in artificial intelligence and a master’s in computational genetics and genomics.
The College of Charleston will offer a new biomedical engineering degree and a nursing degree jointly awarded with the Medical University of South Carolina, allowing students to stay on the Charleston campus while MUSC provides upper-level nursing coursework.
Lander University added degrees in graphic design, applied artificial intelligence and information systems. MUSC gained a doctoral program in cancer biology, built on research at its Hollings Cancer Center, along with a master’s in health information management and cybersecurity.
South Carolina State University will launch a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary sciences, while the University of South Carolina Aiken added an online master’s in emerging media.
The University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus received approval for the state’s first industrial design degree, along with an expanded master’s program in earth and environmental science. Winthrop University updated its human development and family science program.
Separately, under its authority to license nonpublic institutions, the commission approved an associate degree in occupational specialized cardiovascular technology at Laurel College of Technology, training students in cardiac monitoring and diagnostic imaging.
The commission said all approved programs will roll out according to each institution’s schedule and applicable accreditation requirements.
Based on a release from S.C. Commission on Higher Education.
Source: S.C. Commission on Higher Education original release.
