About

More than anything, we want our student to succeed in their chosen field after they graduate. The South Carolina Semester offers students an opportunity to combine special academic study with a custom-designed internship in the Columbia, SC area.

Each spring, students selected for The South Carolina Semester take part in courses (six credit hours) that explore the history, politics, and culture of the Palmetto State. Service opportunities, field trips, and writing assignments emphasize issues surrounding women, civic leadership, and the formation of public policy. Highlighting the experience is a twelve-week internship (3 to 6 credit hours) arranged according to each participant’s area of interest.

Our students have interned in a variety of settings including:

    Nikki Haley for Governor Campaign
    Richland County Sherriff’s Department
    First Citizens Bank
    City of Columbia – Mayor’s Office
    Fort Jackson – Public Relations Office
    Voices for SC’s Children
    United Way of the Midlands
    SC Victims Assistance Network
    Sexual Trauma Services
    SC ACLU
    Columbia Chamber of Commerce
    SC Attorney's General Office
    SC NAACP
    Senator Lindsey Graham
    SC Christian Action Council
    SC Petroleum Marketers Association
    Girl Scouts
    Historic Columbia Foundation
    Lutheran Family Services
    SC Interfaith Community Services
    SC State Legislature
    SC State Museum
    SC Lottery Commission
    SC Department of Education
    Richland County Solicitor’s Office
    SC Democratic Party
    Lexington County Public Defender’s Office
    Richland County Public Defender’s Office
    National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina
    U.S. District Court (District of SC)
    WIS-TV
    SC Republican Party
    Judiciary Committee, SC State Legislature
    Rep. Jim Clyburn
    Conservation Voters of SC
    Harvest Hope Food Bank
    SC Department of Probation and Parole
    Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Who Can Participate?

The South Carolina Semester is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all academic majors, with preference given to juniors and seniors. Final selection is determined by:

  •     Strong academic achievement
  •     Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  •     Initiative in working independently
  •     Desire to explore new intellectual, social and personal challenges
  •     Endorsement by student’s academic advisor and department chair
  •     Successful completion of the South Carolina Semester application form

Up to ten students are selected to participate in the program.

Where Do I Stay?

We encourage students to live on campus during their S.C. Semester.

Cost

The cost of the S.C. Semester program is the same as the comprehensive fee for tuition, room, and board for the Spring semester on the Columbia College campus.