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Successfully completing 4 courses (12 credit hours) is generally all you need to do to earn a certificate - in addition to the following requirements:

• You must complete your certificate before or by the time you graduate.
• You must maintain a 2.00 GPA.
• Two of the four courses must be taken at the USC Columbia campus.
• All four courses must be earned with a grade of C or better.

Explore your certificate options!

• 

  AI Literacy Certificate (NEW!)

  Gain knowledge and awareness needed to navigate and contribute to an AI-driven world and job market. Learn about topics and applications including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, knowledge representation, statistical inference and symbolic manipulation.

• 

  Data Analytics and Visualization Certificate

  Develop processes to manage, analyze, and interpret business data to make smart business decisions! You'll learn web design, video production, database management, computer networking, social media content design, data visualization and much more.

• 

  Digital Studies Certificate

  Learn to identify methods, concepts and tools to effectively evaluate, visualize or summarize digital information using tools for web/video design, social media content, and database management.

• 

  Project Leadership and Management Certificate

  Discover methods, concepts, and tools to effectively manage projects and lead a team. Apply your project analysis skills and abilities to make decisions within your field or future career.

• 

  Strategic Thinking and Communications Certificate

  Learn effective communication, professional writing, conflict resolution, strong public speaking, and strategic team building. Apply your strategic thinking and communications knowledge, skills and abilities, and create solutions within your field or future career.

Enroll anytime!

1. Once your enrollment is processed, we'll add the certificate to your curriculum in Banner and notify your academic advisor.
2. Complete 12 credit hours from the course list for the certificate you have chosen:
   • AI Literacy | course list
   • Data Analytics and Visualization | course list
   • Digital Studies | course list
   • Project Leadership and Management | course list
   • Strategic Thinking and Communications | course list

Once completed, your certificate will be recognized on your transcript, and you will receive an official certificate with your diploma at graduation!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a certificate?

  A certificate is a separate credential from your major and minor - and looks great on your resume! A certificate will give you additional skills to increase your chances of getting a higher starting salary in the career you want!

• Can a course be applied to both the certificate and my major?

  Yes, a course can be applied to both the certificate and your major.

• Can I enroll in more than one certificate?

  Yes, you can enroll in multiple certificates. You must complete all four courses before or by the time you graduate.

• Are course substitutions allowed?

  No. Your four courses must be a combination selected from the certificate's approved course list.

• Can I earn a certificate without earning a four-year degree?

  No. Certificates must be completed by the time you graduate, and they will be awarded to you at your graduation.

• Can courses I have previously taken before enrolling in a certificate be applied toward my certificate?

  Yes. Courses you have previously taken may be applied toward the certificate.

• Help! I am enrolled for my certificate – but the registration email I received looks like my major/minor/concentration information has been changed. What happened?

  Your major/minor/concentration will not change when you enroll for an interdisciplinary certificate. Your profile will show the addition of the certificate to your current information. We realize the wording may be confusing on the screen you are looking at – but rest assured your information has not changed and no action is required from you.

• Can I match the catalog terms of my major and certificate?

  Yes, your certificate term can match your degree term, but it cannot precede the term you were admitted to USC. Please let us know if you'd like to make this change.

• I am a graduating senior, and I cannot select my certificate from the graduation application. What should I do?

  Upon graduation, you should use the graduation application in Self Service Carolina to submit your certificate information:
  

  1. Log into Self Service Carolina
  2. Click the Student tab
  3. Click Graduation
  4. Click Apply to Graduate
  5. Select Undergraduate Certificate from your list and click Continue.
     • 💡NOTE: If you completed more than one Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate, you must submit the graduation application for each certificate.
  6.  The application will ask you to confirm your graduation date, name, and address. 

  
  If you cannot select Undergraduate Certificate in Self Service Carolina because it is not listed, you must fill out the Current Term Candidacy Exception Request Form (AS-129E). 
  
  Enter the name of your undergraduate certificate in the field that asks, “With what degree are you attempting to apply to graduate?*” And submit the AS-129E again if you have completed more than one certificate.

Still have questions? 
Email garnet@sc.edu