College of Charleston partners with Spartanburg Community College to streamline student transfers

College of Charleston and Spartanburg Community College in South Carolina have launched the EPIC Scholars program, creating a guaranteed pathway for community‑college students to transfer into the College of Charleston’s Bachelor of Professional Studies degree. Participants who complete an Associate of Applied Science in approved fields will receive automatic admission, a 20 % tuition discount and a $2,500 grant for the first two years, and have up to 60 credits transferred without duplication.

The partnership covers AAS programs in accounting, administrative office technology, computer technology (software development and cybersecurity), culinary arts, digital arts, electronics engineering, and management with marketing electives. Suzanne Austin, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the College of Charleston, said the alliance “builds a direct and supportive pathway… to prepare a more capable, future‑ready workforce.” The agreement aims to broaden access to higher education and strengthen South Carolina’s labor pool.