Colleges (Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg: fit in, credit, home)

[MichelleEllyn]

I'll be graduating from ECPI Technical School in November with an Associates' Degree in Business Systems Administration. (So far I'm still on a 4.0 GPA, yay!)
I'd like to go somewhere after that to get a BA in Business Management (hopefully to minor in Marketing), and I don't want to do any online courses. I'm having such a hard time finding something good in or near Greenville.
I saw Furman University might offer something like that, but I've heard that their academic standards aren't very rigorous, and I've read that the student body is quite conservative ("wearing heels and pearls to classes").
Those two things are a turn-off for me.
I saw that the University Center on Antrim might offer what I'm looking for, but I don't understand how that can work.

I don't really see any options besides schools that have a religious foundtation, and have those ideals in their cirriculum.

BTW - I'm 26, have a family, and a part-time job. So it helps to have a school that can fit in with my life.

Any advice?

[myrc60]

Originally Posted by MichelleEllyn

I saw Furman University might offer something like that, but I've heard that their academic standards aren't very rigorous, and I've read that the student body is quite conservative ("wearing heels and pearls to classes").

My daughter is at Furman in her 2nd year. I've never seen a student "wearing heels and pearls" but I'll ask her about it. Have you checked tuition? Full-time on-campus will be over $40,000 next year. If that comes as a shock; I'm sorry.

Have you checked USC Upstate? North Greenville? That's all I can think of besides the Techs.

[Greenville]

I would find out more about the University Center on Antrim Drive. They have options for many schools in the Upstate and throughout South Carolina.

[Webster_MGT_student]

Southern Wesleyan University is where I go for my BSBA. Also look into Webster and see if they have started their BA program yet.

[Skyliner]

Webster University has a Greenville campus and offers a BA in Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). They also offer an MA in Management & Leadership. According to their website, they do accept transfers, but I am unsure whether ECPI would be considered.

[MichelleEllyn]

myrc60: Thanks! I'd love to hear some feedback from your daughter about that.
I couldn't live on campus though, because I live with my family in a house.
Also, ECPI was $25,000 for a 16 month program, so I'm prepared for a relatively high tuition cost. For me, if the school is good, I'm willing to pay the money.


Skyliner: Webster looks great! Unfortunately, they only have evening classes.
My step-son gets home from school at 4:00pm, and classes are from 5:30pm to 10:00pm, so I wouldn't see him at all during the week, and on the weekends I work. So, basically, as good as the program is, it doesn't fit in with my schedule at all, and I can't schedule my life around these particular hours.


Webster_MGT_student: Southern Wesleyan University seems to cater toward Christian beliefs as well. That's a great thing if you are a follower of the faith, but I am not.
From they're website about the BA in Management Program:
"You’ll also gain greater understanding of how to apply Christian principles in a professional environment."

Some of the required courses are:
BIBL 2013 Studies in the New Testament
PHED 1181 Lifetime Leisure Studies
RELG 2403 Basic Christian Beliefs


Thank you all so much for your advice, keep it coming please!!

[LadyRo]

You went to an open admissions trade school and you doubt the academic rigor of Furman University? That has to be the joke of the day. At any rate, you could look into Webster University, Strayer University, USC Upstate, Lander University, Converse College, and Clemson University.

You should also not count out distance learning programs, especially since you have some family obligations that will encroach on your time. Franklin University in Columbus, OH may just be right up your alley. They specialize in the business areas, are also brick and mortar, not too expensive, and have an extensive distance learning program.

You should be aware that because ECPI is primarily a trade/technical school that some of your courses may not transfer to a traditional liberal arts college as major credits; however, they may transfer as open electives. That would suck, but at least you wouldn't totally lose them and you'd be set up for an easy A when you repeated them to make your new school happy. Or you could pay to take challenge exams and get them to count that way.

The University Center of Greenville is in danger of losing its state funding and shutting down, but until that happens you can pursue degrees from USC Upstate, SC State University, USC Columbia, and Lander University all in one place. It's separate schools, programs and admission requirements, but they all share some common facilities to make it easier for students since they're "off campus" programs.

Upstate area colleges you should NOT consider because they are Christian, per your preference...

North Greenville University (Southern Baptist)
Southern Wesleyan University (Wesleyan-Methodist)
Bob Jones University (Independent Baptist)
Anderson University (Baptist)
Erskine College (Associate Reformed Presbyterian)
Limestone College (non-denominational Christian)
Presbyterian College (Presbyterian Church USA)
Wofford College (Methodist)

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. But, if distance learning is something you'd consider, your options open up a lot (but you have to be careful). If you want to know more, just PM me.

Hope this helped!

Originally Posted by MichelleEllyn

I'll be graduating from ECPI Technical School in November with an Associates' Degree in Business Systems Administration. (So far I'm still on a 4.0 GPA, yay!)
I'd like to go somewhere after that to get a BA in Business Management (hopefully to minor in Marketing), and I don't want to do any online courses. I'm having such a hard time finding something good in or near Greenville.
I saw Furman University might offer something like that, but I've heard that their academic standards aren't very rigorous, and I've read that the student body is quite conservative ("wearing heels and pearls to classes").
Those two things are a turn-off for me.
I saw that the University Center on Antrim might offer what I'm looking for, but I don't understand how that can work.

I don't really see any options besides schools that have a religious foundtation, and have those ideals in their cirriculum.

BTW - I'm 26, have a family, and a part-time job. So it helps to have a school that can fit in with my life.

Any advice?

[Oogax3Girl]

Spartanburg has six colleges I think?

USC Upstate
Converse (Are you female?-It's all-womens (though male students are in classes)
Wofford
Spartanburg Tech.
Spartanburg Methodist (freshman-sophomore... that might not help you?)

The plus with Converse and Wofford is that the students are allowed to take classes on either campus. So if one school doesn't offer something, but the other does, then you can take classes at the other.

Not Greenville... but not too far out from Greenville.

[myrc60]

My daughter said Furman is a very rigorous school and the best school in the Upstate if not in the state. She did say to my surprise that there are students that are wearing heels and pearls to class but I've never seen it myself. Usually when I go up there everyone is dressed casually and slightly less than casual if you know what I mean. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful campus.

Congratulations on your 4.0!