Earn a certificate before you graduate with your four-year degree! Certificates are
the perfect opportunity to gain additional skills and earning potential beyond your
major and minor.
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 1.99 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.
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
If you are thinking of enrolling or are currently enrolled for a certificate, you
may find the following questions and answers helpful:
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!
Yes, a course can be applied to both the certificate and your major.
Yes, you can enroll in multiple certificates. You must complete all four courses before
or by the time you graduate.
No. Your four courses must be a combination selected from the certificate's approved
course list.
No. Certificates must be completed by the time you graduate, and they will be awarded
to you at your graduation.
Yes. Courses you have previously taken may be applied toward the certificate.
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.
You should use the graduation application in Self Service Carolina to submit your certificate information:
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.
The application will ask you to confirm your graduation date, name, and address.
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.