South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 62 - STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Article I - LICENSING NONPUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Section 62-12 - Program and Instructor Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree Programs

A. Baccalaureate degree programs typically consist of technical and general education courses in which full-time students may complete their requirements in a minimum of four academic years, twelve academic quarters or eight academic semesters. Each educational program leading to a baccalaureate degree normally has courses totaling a minimum of one-hundred eighty quarter credit hours or one-hundred twenty semester credit hours. The curriculum must include a minimum of thirty semester hours or equivalent in general education courses to include at least one (three semester-hour) course in each of the following areas: the humanities/fine arts, the social/behavioral sciences, and the natural sciences/mathematics. The curriculum must provide components designed to ensure competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic use of computers. Courses offered in non-traditional formats, e.g., concentrated or abbreviated time periods, must be designed to ensure an opportunity for preparation, reflection, and analysis concerning the subject matter. At least one calendar week of reflection and analysis should be provided to students for each semester hour of credit awarded (or equivalent for a quarter schedule so that a four-and-one-half quarter hour course could be offered in no less than three weeks or a three quarter-hour course could be offered in no less than two weeks).

B. Faculty members who teach lower-division courses must meet the requirements specified in Regulation 62-11.

C. There should be an appropriate number of faculty members who hold terminal degrees, usually an earned doctorate, especially department chairpersons; all others who teach upper-division courses should hold master's degrees with at least eighteen graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline, or a master's degree with a major in the teaching discipline. In exceptional cases, outstanding professional experience and demonstrated contributions to the teaching discipline may be presented instead of formal academic preparation. Such exceptions must be justified by the institution on an individual basis.

D. An institution must employ faculty members whose highest earned degree presented as the credential qualifying the faculty member to teach at the institution is from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Exceptions may be made only with the prior consent of the Commission.

E. Teacher education and school personnel preparation programs must meet the requirements of the Commission on Higher Education and the program approval standards of the South Carolina Department of Education.