Clemson University, Greenville Technical College establish transfer pathway for sociology and anthropology students

Greenville Technical College (GTC) and Clemson University have come together to ease the transfer process with a new agreement. The agreement allows students enrolled in a Greenville Technical College Associate in Arts or Science degrees with a Social Science Track and meeting eligibility criteria to be accepted as transfers into the B.A. Anthropology, B.S. Anthropology, B.A. Sociology, or B.S. Sociology degrees at Clemson University.

Eligibility criteria include a cumulative grade point ratio at graduation of 2.7 or higher at GTC and a grade of “C” or better in all courses to be applied toward the bachelor’s degree. Final admission to Clemson is still subject to a review of the applicant’s official transcript and academic records at GTC. An individualized advising plan will be developed by both institutions to guide students as they move from one institution to the next.

“This partnership simplifies the transfer process and allows students to move seamlessly from GTC to Clemson,” said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College. “We appreciate Clemson’s willingness to partner with us on pathways that benefit students and the employers seeking their skill sets.”

According to Katherine Weisensee, chair of Clemson’s sociology, anthropology and criminal justice department, the accelerated pathway formalizes years of collaboration between both institutions, as many GTC students have chosen to pursue degrees in sociology and anthropology at Clemson.

Weisensee said students who complete their four-year degree at Clemson can expect to gain numerous skills that are in high demand across many different fields. These skills include survey design and analysis, the ability to lead focus groups and cross-cultural communication that are all but required for success in various industries.

Weisensee said the transfer students that have come to the program from GTC are indicative of the large, diverse population of students seeking a four-year degree, so creating a clear, official pathway only makes that more possible for that population.

“We have always valued the transfer students that come into our program from Greenville Technical College because many bring a unique perspective that enriches our curriculum for every student,” Weisensee said. “Whether they just have different life experiences or they’ve spent time in the workforce, their perspectives positively impact the learning of all students.”

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