MUSC and SC Technical College System sign agreement promising more access and affordability for South Carolina students

MUSC and the SC Technical College System signed a historical memorandum of understanding designed to increase access to higher education for students across the state and provide a cost-effective alternative to earning a baccalaureate.

This Memorandum of Understanding and MUSC’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies (BSHS) program create a clear educational and career pathway for students attending one of South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges to first earn their Associate in Science degree and then complete the BSHS equipping them to enter the workforce or advance to graduate school.

The savings can be as much as $25,000 in tuition for a student first earning an Associate of Science degree from a technical college and then moving on to complete the BSHS from MUSC as compared to beginning at a four-year university.

“This memorandum of understanding is a wonderful opportunity for our students. Access and affordability are key tenets of the SC Technical College System,” said Dr. Susan Winsor, interim president for the System. “This agreement allows our students to see a clear path to a four-year degree and beyond that is attainable in both its delivery and cost.”

“We are excited to be working with the SC Technical College System on this venture,” said
Dr. James Zoller, interim dean of the College of Health Professions at MUSC. “Starting at one of the 16 technical colleges across the state then finishing up online through MUSC’s BSHS program ensures speed to graduation, access through delivery and affordability. It’s a real win-win for prospective students.”

BSHS is an online program for graduates of a South Carolina technical college who have earned an Associate of Science degree with at least a 3.0 GPA. Students who earn an Associate of Science degree with the requisite GPA are eligible to apply to the BSHS Program. Students will complete courses online and attend on-campus sessions once a semester. Courses will be completed in two years over five semesters. Courses will focus on the core functions of the U.S. healthcare system and strategies to promote population health.
SC Technical College System

Comprised of 16 colleges located strategically across the state and two internationally-renowned statewide programs: readySC™ and Apprenticeship Carolina™, the SC Technical College System is dedicated to furthering economic and workforce development in South Carolina. As the state’s largest higher education system, the SC Technical System serves more than a quarter million South Carolinians each year and educates more of our state’s undergraduates than all the other public higher education institutions combined. Dedicated to making a quality higher education both accessible and affordable, the System plays a key role in educating and training South Carolina’s workforce for the in-demand, high-skilled jobs of today and tomorrow. In addition, the System’s internationally-recognized statewide programs – readySC and Apprenticeship Carolina – work to attract new companies to the state as well as provide comprehensive workforce solutions to ensure they stay and grow here. By making a quality technical college education accessible, affordable and relevant to the people of South Carolina, the SC Technical College System is preparing a work-ready workforce for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow.
Medical University of South Carolina College of Health Professions

With fifty years of history educating thousands of students from the state of South Carolina and beyond, the College of Health Professions is a national leader in education, intellectual discovery and research. Located in beautiful Charleston on the campus of the historic and nationally recognized Medical University of South Carolina, our College advances student learning through a nationally recognized faculty by promoting diversity, and by constantly assessing our programs and activities to better serve our students, our community and the world at large.

MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents in six colleges (Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy), and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $2.2 billion, with an annual economic impact of more than $3.8 billion and annual research funding in excess of $250 million. MUSC operates a 700-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (a National Cancer Institute-designated center), Level I Trauma Center, Institute of Psychiatry, and the state’s only transplant center. In 2016, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the number one hospital in South Carolina. For more information on academic programs or clinical services, visit musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit muschealth.org.