The SC Technical College System announced a partnership agreement today with Bethel University that will make it easier for graduates of the system’s 16 colleges across the state to transfer to Bethel to complete their bachelor’s degrees. 

Located in Tennessee, Bethel University is a private institution affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees.

This partnership is designed to aid students in making a smoother transition from the SC Technical College System to Bethel University. It will help reduce lost time to graduation and relieve some of the added financial burden now associated with transferring. Participating students must graduate from a transfer-oriented associate degree program at a South Carolina technical college with a 2.0 or higher grade-point average.

Bethel University Vice President Dr. Kimberly Martin stated that this academic partnership “demonstrates our commitment to promoting continued education opportunities for all students. By offering bachelor’s degree completion programs that are convenient and designed specifically for adult learners, we are reinforcing the fact that lifetime learning is the key to success,” she said.

“This partnership agreement is a tremendous opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Tim Hardee, president for the system. “Accessibility, affordability and relevance are key tenets of the SC Technical College System. This collaborative agreement works to strengthen those fundamental values by expanding access for our students to a baccalaureate education with a university that has expanded online offerings in high-demand fields.” 

“We are very excited about this opportunity to expand our online education partnerships into South Carolina,” said Bethel University President Dr. Walter Butler. “It allows both Bethel and the SC Technical College System to further prepare graduates to thrive in today’s competitive professional environment. We look forward to offering students the personal care and relevant curriculum that Bethel University is known for.”