University of South Carolina - Columbia Reviews

  • 115 Reviews
  • Columbia (SC)
  • Annual Tuition: $33,928
87% of 115 students said this degree improved their career prospects
89% of 115 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Ebony Hill
  • Reviewed: 5/30/2013
  • Degree: Social Sciences
"This is an excellent graduate program; however, there is a lack in financial aid available through the university."
Emma Waugh
  • Reviewed: 5/23/2013
  • Degree: Anthropology
"Students and professors were very supportive of and interested in one another's research. The program is small and students get along well. I was able to take fascinating courses and received exceptional support from my advisor."
Aimee Murray
  • Reviewed: 5/18/2013
  • Degree: Communications
"I believe the University of South Carolina's School of Journalism and Mass Communications Master of Mass Communications program is one that requires hard work, diligence, excellent communication skills and drive. It's definitely not an easy program but that's a good thing because it's truly preparing me for the field. The Columbia area is nice, with restaurants, shopping and fun night life."
Brittany Miller
  • Reviewed: 5/16/2013
  • Degree: Social Work
"One con that I can point out is that the staff at times felt un-welcoming or too busy. However, the program is competitive and incredibly educational."
Steven Salazar
  • Reviewed: 5/14/2013
  • Degree: Public Administration
"The MPA program at USC is a good program overall. The program is in a re-development phase and is growing both in terms of students and faculty. There are tons of great classes that will be useful in the field. The program could benefit from having adjunct faculty that are currently working in the field and not so research based. Also, being in Columbia, the state capital, and next door to the State House, the MPA program should do more to integrate with the SC Government."
Ann Blair Kennedy
  • Reviewed: 4/16/2013
  • Degree: Public Health
"The education is top notch! The professors and mentors are helpful. This was a very good choice for me."
Joseph Kelly
  • Reviewed: 4/8/2013
  • Degree: Teaching
"The 5th Year Masters Degree program at USC is a great way for students to earn their degree and certification in a timely manner. This also boosts the average pay scale by nearly 6,000 dollars/year. The faculty is very supportive and the University is top-notch. The education along with a great atmosphere, diverse student body and wonderful athletic venues makes South Carolina the place to be for school in today's society."
Jacqueline Lee
  • Reviewed: 3/20/2013
  • Degree: Criminal Justice
"I really like that my graduate program offers smaller classes that allow for more discussion and to see different viewpoints on the subject matter. Professors are able to learn more about each student in a setting such as this. This helps to build a better professional relationship between the professor and the student."
Annaka Welty
  • Reviewed: 3/19/2013
  • Degree: Social Work
"There is a lack of focus on cultural competence and some of the professors seem like they're not ready to deal with issues that need addressing and they just avoid them. I know a lot of students feel that they were placed in internships that were a poor fit and have not taught them anything. Some of the professors are good and there are ones that are helpful and seem to really care about students."
Annaka Welty
  • Reviewed: 2/19/2013
  • Degree: Social Work
"There are som good professors, but there are also a lot of really bad professors. The school is working to improve their program but still has many issues. People have attacked each other in the classroom with the professors failing to take charge of the situation. When complaints were made about the need to address diversity as part of the curriculum, the professor responded that some of the professors are not ready to deal with those issues yet and that's why they don't teach them. I have been in classes where professors have presented therapy by the wrong name. Overall, I would not recommend. They are working on the program but as far as I can tell, it'll be a few years before it stands any chance of being very good."
Ashley Miller
  • Reviewed: 2/17/2013
  • Degree: Communications
"Columbia is not the most exciting or interesting of places to live, but the program is not unbearably difficult and the faculty is accessible and interested in their students. The school offers a graduate package that is not sufficient to live on and pay tuition with -- if you have a graduate assistantship you will still need a fulltime job or a lot of student loans to be able to attend. (22k package to cover 12k in tuition and fees and, theoretically, living expenses. Columbia's cheap, but not that cheap.)"
Francis McDougal
  • Reviewed: 2/2/2013
  • Degree: Educational Leadership
"I am working on a Master's Degree in Educational Administration, and the program is great. I've learned so much already. The faculty in this department are beyond experienced in this field. They are open to "hot" discussions about topics that we may encounter as educators. I highly recommend this program!"
Jami Bahmer
  • Reviewed: 1/31/2013
  • Degree: Teaching
"The master of teaching program is designed to support the student during his/her student teaching since you take classes while student teaching, which is different from other MT programs. I was so thankful for the support I got from my cohort while student teaching, and our instructor was an invaluable mentor."
Melissa McCrary
  • Reviewed: 1/21/2013
  • Degree: Educational Leadership
"I greatly enjoyed my time in the M.Ed. program at USC. I learned a lot and I feel completely prepared for the next step in my career. The professors were very knowledgable in their area and have been able to give practical advise and knowledge of the certification and positions that will come with the completion of the degree."
Erika Coleman
  • Reviewed: 1/18/2013
  • Degree: Social Work
"The program is great for individuals that have full-time jobs and have families. The weekend program is a great opportunity for those individuals wanting to continue their education and don't mind giving up their Saturdays. The staff are very welcoming and are open to helping you. The cons would be having to give up every Saturday for the duration of the program if you are a working individual. The con for me personally is having to commute. All in all, I love the program."
Amy Goldstein
  • Reviewed: 1/16/2013
  • Degree: Anthropology
"Probably the biggest pro (and biggest factor in choice for many students) is that students are not accepted without funding. This means that everyone has a full ride, and many of us actually get paid to go to grad school. This is also a plus in that it fosters cooperation and solidarity between the students since we aren't competing against each other for department money. The second biggest pro for me was the general atmosphere and solidarity of the department. Academia can get mean, and there are plenty of anthropology departments with feuds and competition; not at USC. Everyone is friendly and works together to accomplish the larger goals of anthropology. The biggest con so far has been the lack of variety of graduate classes offered, although that will hopefully change in the next few years as more people are hired."
Lokesh Patel
  • Reviewed: 1/15/2013
  • Degree: MBA
"Darla Moore School of Business is a great place to get your MBA. The Part Time MBA program allows working professionals to go to a highly rated school while continuing to work."
Sabrina Ceballos
  • Reviewed: 1/2/2013
  • Degree: Social Sciences
"The program has great faculty (full time and adjunct) that support the students all around. The school is great about connecting students to networks and possible career opportunities. There are definitely more opportunities if you are a full time student (versus a part time one) in regards to organizations to join and scholarships and graduate assistant positions."
Sheldon Bolds
  • Reviewed: 12/30/2012
  • Degree: Social Sciences
"Pro - A great school that is geared toward making sure that their students have everything that is needed to do well. Additionally, the facility is tremendously helpful and readily available when needed. Con- The major con of this school is traffic and lack of available parking spots."
Candace Broussard
  • Reviewed: 12/21/2012
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"The pros would be that it's a very good program for the tuition, and I really can't think of any cons. I'm very pleased with the program and just need more financial assistance."