South Carolina State University

A storied history

When it was founded in Orangeburg, SC in 1896, South Carolina State University (SCSU) was the only public college for black youth in the state. While its original mission as a land-grant institution was to provide agricultural and mechanical training to students, it has continued to grow is size and to broaden its academic horizons in the ensuing years. Today, more than 5,000 students attend both the school’s undergraduate and graduate programs, pursuing studies in such areas as business, the sciences, engineering, education, arts and the humanities.

The university’s goal is to prepare its students to be highly skilled and socially aware citizens who are able to thrive in the global community, making positive contributions to the economic development of the state, the country and the world.

A plethora of educational offerings

Widely regarded as one of the United States’ most prominent historically black universities (HBCU), SCSU is renowned for the diversity of its undergraduate degree programs. Departments in which students can pursue their studies include:

• Education
• Family & Consumer Sciences
• Human Services
• Mathematics & Computer Science
• Social Sciences
• Biological & Physical Sciences
• Civil and Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Nuclear Engineering (SCSU is the only university in South Carolina and the only HBCU in the nation to offer a bachelor's degree in this field)
• English & Modern Languages
• Health Sciences
• Industrial & Electrical Engineering Technology
• Military Science
• Visual & Performing Arts

In addition, SCSU is one of only three universities in the state with a doctoral program in Educational Administration and one of two South Carolina schools with a master’s degree program in Speech-Language Pathology.

A commitment to research and outreach

Like other land-grant universities in the US, SCSU is dedicated to extending its reach beyond the classroom by providing research and outreach services that benefit people on the local, national and global levels. This includes the school’s 1890 Research & Extension Program, which strives to assist families of limited resources with the most up-to-date research scientific-based knowledge, sustainable agricultural practices, financial management, business development, parenting skills, health and nutrition, and computer skills. Working closely with the US Department of Agriculture as well as state and local governments, this program is truly having a direct and positive impact on the lives of those in need.

A vibrant community both on and off campus

Located in Orangeburg, SC on the banks of the Edisto River, SCSU’s 160-acre campus boasts a Historic District with several buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town of Orangeburg, which is also known as “The Garden City,” has much to offer, including beautiful Edisto Memorial Gardens and the IP Stanback Museum & Planetarium.

At SCSU, freshmen are required to live on campus in order to help them adjust to college life, to promote the fostering of friendships and to encourage students to become active members of the school’s community by participating in a wide variety of on-campus activities. These include a number of departmental clubs & organizations, advocacy groups, Greek organizations, student government, ROTC and a number of musical ensembles.

For students who appreciate the fact that sports are an integral part of college life, SCSU has much to offer. The school is a charter member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and has teams competing at the Division I level in basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, cross country, tennis and track and field. The football team, which competes at the FCS level, has won more conference championships than any other MEAC school.

Financial aid and scholarships

SCSU both offers and accepts a diverse range of financial aid packages for its students. These include Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) and South Carolina Need Based Grants. The school also has a number of scholarship opportunities available for those who qualify. Among these are Life Scholarships, Alumni Scholarships, ROTC Scholarships and Institutional Scholarships.

A lifetime connection

Students who graduate from SCSU might leave Orangeburg physically, but the school remains forever in their hearts and minds. To perpetuate that bond, the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association (SCSUNAA) strives to foster loyalty and promote communication between graduates and current students alike. Its mission is to impart the values of service, integrity, participation, inclusion and excellence throughout the global SCSU network and to facilitate lifelong personal and professional success among alumni.