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Palmetto College

FAQ

What are the entrance requirements?

The requirement for entrance into the ETM program is an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Engineering Technology (ET) from one of our partner technical colleges or any ETAC of ABET accredited 2-year program (www.abet.org). 

  • ET degrees include Architectural Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Construction Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Engineering Design, Engineering Graphics, and Mechanical Engineering Technology. 
  • Our current partner technical colleges are Denmark Technical College, Greenville Technical College, Midlands Technical College, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Piedmont Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, TriCounty Technical College, and York Technical College.

Minimum Transfer GPA: 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

Note - Students nearing completion of their AAS ET degree may take up to 12 hours of ETM courses while completing the AAS ET.


Where and when can I take courses?

Students typically transfer 56-90 hours from technical college to USC Upstate including 31 hours of technical courses. The transfer limit is 90 credit hours.


What is the degree and what can I do with it?

The ETM program will enable graduates to manage technical projects and teams and be an effective interface between technicians and upper managers. They will typically serve as manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, project managers, or as functional managers for technical personnel. ETM graduates also work in areas such as purchasing or consulting.

To support these rolls the program contains a comprehensive blend of management courses and business electives to build a layer of technical management knowledge and skills on the technical foundation developed in the engineering technology associate degree program. ETM Coursework includes project management, cost and work analysis, systems decision making, probability and statistics, and quality practices. Communication skills and teaming are an integral part of the curriculum.


For whom is the degree designed?

This degree program is designed for both working adults and traditional students. Working adults, who possess excellent technical training and knowledge, but not a bachelor's degree, may find career advancement options limited. For the working adult, our evening schedule allows convenient degree completion options.


What prior coursework will transfer into the program?

The ETM program director will be glad to meet with you and determine courses that will likely transfer. This will include 31 hours of technical credit from your ET degree plus any university level transfer general education courses from a SC technical college. Transfers from other institution must be reviewed for suitability. For an initial review send an unofficial transcript to etm@uscupstate.edu.

Please do not email any documents with you SSN showing.

When you apply for admissions to USC Upstate, you must request official copies of transcripts be sent to the Office of Admissions. If you are accepted to USC Upstate, your transcripts will be sent to the Chair of the Department of Informatics and Engineering systems. The Chair will evaluate your transcripts relative to the program and determine what courses will transfer into the program.

A maximum of 76 hours from a technical college, which includes 31 hours of technical content, may be counted toward degree credit at USC Upstate.


How do I enroll in the program?

You should begin with an AAS ET degree. USC Upstate has partnered with Denmark Technical College, Greenville Technical College, Midlands Technical College, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Piedmont Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, TriCounty Technical College, and York Technical College for the required AAS ET programs. Each partner institution has specific ET programs designed to seamlessly transfer into the USC Upstate program.

Students from non-ABET Engineering Technology programs may be admitted if the students meet the following minimum guidelines:

    • Have an applied associate’s degree in engineering technology from a regionally accredited technical college.
    • Have at least three years of work experience in a related field.
    • Have achieved a grade of C or better in college trigonometry, pre-calculus, or an equivalent or higher mathematics course.

When should I apply to USC Upstate?

If you already possess or are near completion (1-2 semesters) of an Engineering Technology degree, you can apply for admission to USC Upstate through the Office of Admissions. Feel free to email the program at etm@uscupstate.edu with any questions about the process.


How long will it take to complete the degree?

An Associate’s degree in Engineering Technology typically takes two years to complete full-time. The Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology Management program is 124 total credit hours and typically takes an additional two years of full-time study. Part-time students taking two courses per semester including some summer courses can typically complete the program in three to four years.


What is the history of the program?

The program was developed in concert with an advisory group consisting of industry representatives and technical college representatives from Greenville Technical College, Piedmont Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, Tri-County Technical College, and York Technical College. It was approved and classes started in the Fall 2006 semester. 

The industrial advisory committee, consisting of industry and technical college representatives, continues to guide the program.


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