South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 62 - STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Article I - LICENSING NONPUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Section 62-13 - Program and Instructor Requirements for Graduate Programs

A. Master's degree programs normally require satisfactory completion of full-time study for one or more academic years beyond the baccalaureate degree. An institution must establish qualitative and quantitative requirements which result in the admission of students whose educational preparation indicates the potential for a high level of performance. Graduate study must be at a level of complexity and specialization that extends the knowledge and intellectual maturity of the student. 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 graduate 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. With rare exception, graduate faculty members shall hold a terminal degree, usually an earned doctorate, in the field in which they teach. Students shall have sufficient access to these faculty members to provide meaningful interaction. 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 with the prior consent of the Commission.

C. A doctoral degree program normally requires satisfactory completion of three or more academic years of full-time study beyond the baccalaureate degree and evidence, usually a doctoral dissertation, of competence in independent research.

D. 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.