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:
The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students who plan to pursue a baccalaureate subject areas such as business administration, criminal justice, English, foreign language, history, political science or government, psychology, religious studies, sociology and other arts and letters disciplines. The degree also serves those students planning to earn a baccalaureate degree in education or planning secondary school certification except in the natural sciences or mathematics. The following courses and subject concentrations are required for the Associate in Arts 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 - 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
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).
The Associate in Business is designed for students planning to major in business and earn a baccalaureate degree. The following courses and subject concentrations are required for the Associate in Business Degree:
- 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
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.
The College enrolls some students whose employment goals, interests, abilities or other personal circumstances to do not include plans for a baccalaureate degree. In order to respond to the special needs of these students and to the needs of the marketplace, the College has developed an associate degree career curriculum to help meet these educational needs in the field of Criminal Justice.
The Associate in Criminal Justice degree prepares students to enter one or the many career fields in Criminal Justice or law enforcement or to continue their education one of SMC four-year degree programs in Criminal Justice. This degree relies upon a strong core of liberal arts and social science courses and includes criminal justice courses essential to the student's success in the career field. The following courses are offered in the Criminal Justice curriculum:
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 (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
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).
The Associate in Fine Arts is designed for students planning to pursue a major in music, art, drama or the fine arts. Students must carefully plan their program of study with a fine arts adviser. The following courses and subject concentrations are required for the Associate in Fine Arts Degree:
- 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
1 See catalog paragraph "Alternative Course Requirements" for transfer and non-traditional students' requirements, p. 36.
The Associate in Religious Studies degree is designed for students who plan to 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. 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.