STEPS TO SUCCESS: START WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE.
At SMC, your first two years of college will be spent taking general education courses with the goal of earning an associate degree.
ADVANTAGES:
- Unlike most colleges and universities, you'll earn a real degree for these first two years of courses. If you have to postpone finishing college because of financial or family difficulties, you'll still have a valuable college degree.
- With an associate degree, you can get higher-paying part-time jobs while you finish your four-year degree. Many employers will consider you for an entry-level position in your chosen career field because you have a degree in hand. Plus, you'll start getting career experience early, and you'll earn money that can help pay student loans while you finish your final two years of college. Why spend your college years as a restaurant waiter when you could begin working in your career field?
- Getting your associate degree first can set you up to finish your four-year degree on time. If you're worried about whether you have what it takes to get a four-year degree, breaking it into two achievable steps can help you be successful.
Quick Facts About Our Associate Degree Programs:
Associate degrees awarded in:
- Arts (General Studies)
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Fine Arts
- Religious Studies
- Science
Degree Requirements:
- English 101, 102 - 6 hours
- Computer Science - 3 hours
- History - 6 hours or History (3) and (3) of Social Science (other than the Social Science requirement)
- SMC 101, 2011 - 2 hours
- Literature - 3 hours
- Mathematics (112 or higher) - 3-4 hours
- PHED 121, Health 101, 201 or MILI - 2 or 3 hours
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication - 3 hours
- Religion 103, 211, 212, 215, or 220 - 3 hours
- Religion (any RELI other than RELI requirement), Literature (any LITR other than LITR requirement), PHIL 201, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, or Drama Appreciation - 3 hours
- Science - 8 hours
- Social Science² - 6 hours
- Electives - 15 hours
- English 101, 102 - 6 hours
- Computer Science - 3 hours
- History - 3 hours
- SMC 101, 2011 - 1-2 hours
- Literature - 3 hours
- Mathematics 112 - 3 hours
- Mathematics 210 or 221 - 3 - 4 hours
- PHED 121, Health 101, 201, or MILI - 2 -3 hours
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication - 3 hours
- Religion 103, 211, 212, 215, or 220 - 3 hours
- Business Administration - BSAD 201, 202, 205, 206 - 12 hours
- Science - 8 hours
- Electives - 12 hours
- English 101, 102 - 6 hours
- Computer Science - 3 hours
- History - 3 hours
- SMC 101, 2011 - 2 hours
- Literature - 3 hours
- Mathematics (112 or higher) - 3-4 hours
- PHED 121, Health 101, 201 or MILI - 2 hours
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication - 3 hours
- Religion 103, 211, 212, 215, or 220 - 3 hours
- Science - 4 hours
- Social Science² - 6 hours
- Criminal Justice 101, 112, 203, 212 - 12 hours
- Criminal Justice 110 or 210 - 3 hours
- Criminal Justice 202 or 220 - 3 hours
- Electives (to be chosen in consultation with advisor) - 7 hours
- English 101, 102 - 6 hours
- Computer Science - 3 hours
- History 101 - 3 hours
- SMC 101, 2011 - 1-2 hours
- Literature - 3 hours
- Mathematics 112 (or higher) - 3 hours
- PHED 121, Health 101, 201, or MILI - 2 -3 hours
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication - 3 hours
- Religion 103, 211, 212, 215, or 220 - 3 hours
- ARTS 201, DRAM 101, MUSI 201 (choose one outside of specific discipline) or ENGL 206 - 3 hours
- Science - 8 hours
- ANTH 101, PSYC 101, PHIL 201, HIST 102 or HIST 112 - 6 hours
- ARTS, DRAM, MUSI to be chosen in consultation with advisor, within the student's discipline(s) of choice - 15 hours
- Electives - 3 hours
The Associate in Religious Studies degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to colleges or universities to earn the baccalaureate degree. The degree also serves those students who plan to work as lay leaders in local church ministry. The following courses and subject concentrations are required for the Associate in Religious Studies Degree:
- English 101, 102 - 6 hours
- Computer Science - 3 hours
- History (6) or History (3) and (3) of Social Science (other than the Social Science requirement)2 - 6 hours
- SMC 101, 2011 - 2 hours
- Literature - 3 hours
- Mathematics(112 or higher) - 3 or 4 hours
- PHED 121, Health 101, 201, or MILI - 2 -3 hours
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication - 3 hours
- Religion 103 - 3 hours
- Religion 211 - 3 hours
- Religion 212 - 3 hours
- Religion 215 - 3 hours
- Religion 220, 230, 240, or Phil 201 - 3 hours
- Religion 220, 230, 240 or Phil 201 - 3 hours
- PSYC 101 - 3 hours
- Science - 8 hours
- Social Science2 - 3 hours
- Electives - 3 hours
1 See catalog paragraph "Alternative Course Requirements" for transfer and non-traditional students' requirements, p. 36.
2 "Social Science" shall be interpreted to mean Anthropology 101; Economics (BSAD 201, 202); Political Science 202, 203; Psychology 101; Sociology 101; History 101, 102, 112, 201, 202 (other than that course used for History requirement)
FAQ
Q: What can I do with this degree?
A: This degree is designed to prepare students to pursue a ministry or religious studies degree at a four year college or university. Students who have taken religion courses at SMC have successfully transferred to such colleges as Anderson University, Brevard College, Charleston Southern University, Claflin University, College of Charleston, Columbia College, High Point University, Montreat College, Newberry College, North Greenville University, Southern Wesleyan University, University of South Carolina, Wofford College, and many others. It provides an introduction to religious studies that serves as the starting point for those interested in clergy or lay ministry.
Q: My work schedule will not enable me to be a full-time student. Can I still work toward this degree?
A: Yes, students may enroll either on a full-time or part-time basis.
Q: Is financial aid available for this degree?
A: Yes. You are strongly encouraged to apply for financial assistance, and you may be pleasantly surprised at the variety of programs available. More than 90% of our students qualify for financial assistance.
Q: Is this program available only to United Methodists?
A: This program is designed to meet the needs of all students regardless of religious affiliation. Spartanburg Methodist College has a religiously diverse student body.
Q: What opportunities outside the classroom are available to enhance this degree program?
A: The Theta Lambda Nu religion/philosophy fraternity is open to all students interested in the study of religion. SMC also sponsors a Symposium on Faith and Society and other lectures by outstanding leaders in the fields of religion and philosophy. Students are encouraged to be actively engaged in Chapel and other religious life activities.
The Associate in Science degree is designed for students planning to transfer to a senior college or university and major in business, computer science, mathematics, or the natural and physical sciences. This degree is also designed for those students planning to pursue the allied health or pre-professional degree for areas such as medicine, veterinary medicine, preparation as a pharmacist, or for those wishing to be certified to teach in mathematics or sciences subject areas. In the pre-professional areas of nursing, medicine, and engineering, students may not be able to complete all of the required courses at Spartanburg Methodist College. Students in these areas must work closely with their advisers and follow the transfer institution's articulation agreement with Spartanburg Methodist College. The following courses and subject concentrations are required for the Associate in Science Degree:A total of 63 semester credit hours are required to graduate. Those must include the following credit hours:
- English 101, 102 - 6 hours
- Computer Science - 3 hours
- History - 3 hours
- SMC 101, 2011 - 2 hours
- Literature - 3 hours
- Mathematics 121,122,210,221,222 or 112² - 6 or 8 hours
- PHED 121, Health 101, 201, or MILI - 2 or 3 hours
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication - 3 hours
- Religion 103, 211, 212, 215, or 220 - 3 hours
- Social Science3 - 3 hours
- Science (Other than Physical Science)4 - 8 hours
- Electives - 21 hours
1 See catalog paragraph "Alternative Course Requirements" for transfer and non-traditional students' requirements, p.36.
2 Select 2 courses from the Math courses listed above. Math 112 is not a pre-requisite for the other Math courses listed.
3 "Social Science" shall be interpreted to mean Anthropology 101; Economics (BSAD 201,202); Political Science 202,203; Psychology 101; Sociology 101; History 101,102,112,201,202 (other than that course used for History requirement).
4 Most advisement models for those entering the disciplines of Science, Nursing, Engineering, and others
will require more than 8 hours of Science.