US News: International Business program retains spot
Posted on: September 13, 2013; Updated on: September 13, 2013
By Jeff Stensland, stenslan@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-3686
The University of South Carolina’s undergraduate international business program retained its title as the best in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report's 2014 “America’s Best Colleges” released Tuesday, making it 15 years in a row that the program has come in at No. 1.
USC also was singled out for excellence in undergraduate research for encouraging intensive, self-directed scholarly work on and off campus. Other USC programs to earn mentions include outstanding Learning Communities and the First-Year Experience program.
USC’s regional campuses also exceled in the new rankings. USC Aiken is ranked No. 2 among public regional colleges in the South, USC Upstate is ranked No.3 and USC Beaufort is ranked No. 8. USC-Columbia's ranking among all universities improved to No. 112, up three spots from last year. The overall ranking among public universities remained unchanged at No. 55.
In addition to the international business program, the Moore School of Business’ Risk Management and Insurance program was ranked no. 10 in the nation. The Moore School's overall ranking is now No. 38 nationally, up two spots from last year.
"The fact that we moved up in the overall rankings is a very positive sign. In the competitive environment in which we find ourselves, such progress is extremely encouraging and shows that our programs are well-received in the academic and business communities,” said John McDermott, interim dean of the USC’s Moore School of Business. “We’re also very pleased that our international business major continues to demonstrate its excellence through the No. 1 ranking. It shows that we are able to attract the very best faculty and students from around the world.”
Prakash Nagakatti, USC's vice president for research, said giving students opportunities to learn from real-world experiences, like with the USC Connect program, is a hallmark at the university.
"USC is committed to undergraduate research as a means to combine two key missions of this university: education and research," he said. "Bringing the two together gives students hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom. This is USC Connect in action and we are very proud to receive this recognition once again."
The Office of Undergraduate Research sponsors the Magellan Scholar program, where student recipients can receive up to $3,000 to be used for materials and supplies, travel and/or salary. Since its inception in 2006, nearly 900 undergraduates and more than 400 faculty members have participated in the program. This year it also launched Caravel, an online journal dedicated to undergraduate research, and a research video contest for students.
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