Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina
Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public institution located near the resort area of Myrtle Beach. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate degree and master’s degree. It offers 73 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree, 25 master’s degree programs, two specialist degrees, and two doctorate programs.
More than 10,600 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 190 student clubs and organizations.
The University comprises 115 main buildings on 621 acres at its Conway campus, including the Coastal Science Center, the Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies, and the General James Hackler Golf Course at Coastal Carolina University. CCU also offers courses in Georgetown and Litchfield. One of the University’s most outstanding assets is Waties Island, a 1,105-acre tract including part of a pristine barrier island, which provides a superb natural laboratory for marine science research.
Get to know Coastal Carolina University
College Highlights
INTEGRATED STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
A central focus of Coastal Carolina University’s mission is to prepare students both to excel in the classroom and to succeed in life. An essential part of the educational mission is to engage students in hands-on learning that bridges the gap between theory and practice, providing them with the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for fruitful and fulfilling personal and professional lives. In order to achieve this goal more effectively, the University has created Experienced@Coastal, an integrated approach to student engagement. This initiative brings experiential learning to the center of the educational culture by building on a strong tradition of active learning through undergraduate research, internships, international experiences, and community engagement.
“CCU has opened my life to new and challenging first-hand experiences that I wouldn’t receive personally from any other institution of this caliber.” – Abby Barnes, marketing major
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
CCU students can expect to engage in collaborative research with faculty and peers in a number of venues. In fact, CCU students from all disciplines conduct undergraduate research. It is a powerful learning experience and a clear pathway to success in careers and graduate programs. More than 700 CCU undergraduates enroll in undergraduate research/senior thesis courses each year, and more than 100 students from more than 20 disciplines participate in the Undergraduate Research Competition. From 2012-2016, there has been an 81 percent increase in undergraduate research student authorship in professional publications and presentations.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
To ensure that CCU students develop a global perspective and are prepared for life in the 21st century, CCU offers a variety of opportunities for international studies and experiences, including programs abroad and on-campus programming. Every CCU student completes as a part of the core curriculum a course embracing global awareness, and CCU offers a variety of minors dedicated to global studies, international business, French, German, and Spanish. CCU’s commitment to experiential learning supports international education and provides more than $5,000 in support annually, which is supplemented by more than $35,000 in scholarships internally available to support study abroad by CCU students.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 237 | 10-19: 470 | 20-29: 677
30-39: 341 | 40-49: 48 | 50-99: 22 | 100+: 2
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 1%
Hispanic/Latinx: 6%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 17%
White, non-Hispanic: 67%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 3%
WHERE EDUCATION THRIVES
Coastal Carolina University is a place where integrity and excellence are central to the student experience. As part of that experience, students find a thoughtful and welcoming community in which student ideas and aspirations are nurtured. With a world-class faculty and dedicated staff, CCU offers a premier student experience to encourage success in the classroom and in the world. Approximately 76 percent of CCU faculty hold doctoral or terminal degrees in their field. The low student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1 ensures close interaction between faculty and students.
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
Coastal Carolina University nurtures a richly textured environment of creativity and discovery for its faculty and students. University research, an activity that supports university teaching, opens new pathways to interpret and understand our world. Whether in the classroom, the laboratory, on stage, or in the field, undergraduate and graduate students work side-by-side with scientists, scholars, educators, visual and performing artists, and others engaged in research, innovation, and performance.
ACADEMIC DEGREES
Marine science, communication, management, exercise and sport science, and communication are the most popular majors at CCU, which also offers unique degree programs in theatre and intelligence and national security studies. Marine science has been one of the most popular majors for the past decade; its distinguished faculty provides students with remarkable research opportunities. Studies conducted by the University’s Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies play a vital role in shaping public policy relating to coastal resource management issues, not only along the South Carolina coast, but along other U.S. shorelines as well. The center is a major participant in a statewide study exploring the viability of offshore wind energy production.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cooperative education program
Distance learning
Double major
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
3-2 engineering program with Clemson University
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
CCU believes the student experience is enhanced by activities and programs outside of the classroom. More than 190 clubs and organizations offer opportunities to participate in student government, academic and professional organizations, sports, honor societies, Greek life, and a variety of special interest groups. Clubs and organizations on campus have more than doubled during the past five years.
UNDERGRADUATE PRESENTATIONS
The CCU Undergraduate Research Competition provides undergraduate students from all disciplines and majors the opportunity to present their University research at a venue outside their regular classroom. Presentations are judged by CCU faculty on such factors as significance, methodology, evidence of research, clarity, and organization.
CULTURAL ARTS
The cultural arts program at CCU complements the academic experience for students and enriches the quality of life in the community and region by offering a dynamic and diverse calendar of cultural events. The Fall 2019 cultural calendar includes public performances, exhibits, theatrical productions, and musical entertainment—all by students themselves.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, S.C., near the resort area of Myrtle Beach, both of which are within Horry County, one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.
ATHLETICS
NCAA Division I / Sun Belt Conference
Men’s intercollegiate teams (8): baseball; basketball; cross country; football (FBS in 2017); golf; soccer; tennis; outdoor track and field
Women’s intercollegiate teams (11): basketball; beach volleyball; cross country; golf; indoor track and field; outdoor track and field; soccer; softball; tennis; volleyball; lacrosse
Mascot: The Chanticleer, the crafty, quick-thinking rooster from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
Colors: Teal and bronze
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 85%
Undergraduates: 45%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for students with disabilities
Special housing for international students
Theme housing
Honors housing
Coastal Carolina University’s mission is to develop students who are not only knowledgeable in their chosen field, but also prepared to become productive and responsible global citizens. The active learning community prepares students for professional careers and graduate programs, all while encouraging a continued connection to CCU.
HTC HONORS COLLEGE AND CENTER FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
The HTC Honors College and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies offers students the opportunity to explore many areas of study so that they may discover the major that is the best fit for their interests. Home to the interdisciplinary studies major, the HTC Honors College also offers learning assistance centers for all students in all fields.
“What I like most about being an honors student at CCU is the competitive edge it gives me for jobs, internships, and even medical school! The HTC Honors College at CCU provides so many opportunities to learn and try something new. I can’t wait to experience the rest of my time here as an honors student!” – Jamee Henderson, Class of 2021
INTERNSHIPS
Students in every major are encouraged to participate in at least one internship during their enrollment at CCU. Employers are looking to hire graduates with demonstrated work experience in a student’s field of study and career interest. More than 2,200 students enrolled in academically supported internship courses for the 2017-2018 academic year, a 52 percent increase from five years ago. Students of all disciplines can enroll in either major credit or elective credit internship courses. These high-impact experiences continue to be an important component of a student’s overall academic program at CCU regardless of their field of study. The University’s QEP places internships at the top of one of the most effective methods to secure post-graduate employment. For the 2018-2019 academic year, there were 109 undergraduate- and 26 graduate-level courses connecting students to internships or practicum experiences.
SUCCESS IN EVERY FIELD
The University’s E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration’s reputation for high achievement is exemplified by its Wall Fellows program, an elite leadership program that cultivates top students for high-level careers. In recent years, Wall Fellow graduates have been accepted for positions at such international firms as Rolls-Royce, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, and Citigroup. The Wall College is accredited by AACSB International.
More than 250 students are enrolled in the University’s PGA golf management program, created in response to the needs of the thriving golfing industry in the Myrtle Beach area. Coastal Carolina University’s program is one of only 18 in the nation to be accredited by the PGA of America.
A majority of teachers who work for the Horry County School District have received degrees or pursued college coursework at Coastal Carolina University. The Horry County school district is the third largest in the state and serves more than 42,000 students.
The Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts offers majors ranging from communication and politics to art studio and theatre arts. One of the most popular majors is intelligence and national security studies. Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in theatre arts are working in productions nationwide, and alumni of the program include two Emmy winners (Michael Kelly ‘92 and Barbara Astrini ‘11). The theatre program is recognized as the best undergraduate theatre program in the state by OnStage Blog. The Edwards College is also home to The Athenaeum Press, a student-centered laboratory for research, design, editing, publishing, new media development, and production. Students from multiple disciplines work together on projects from conception and design through production and promotion.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA
Important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores | Application Essay | Recommendation(s)
Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities
First generation | | Alumni/ae relation | Geographical residence
State residency | Racial/ethnic status | Volunteer work | Work experience
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $11,460
Tuition (out-of-state): $27,214
Fees: $180
Room: $5,440
Board: $3,928
Aid
Approximately 95 percent of full-time undergraduates received financial aid, merit awards, and scholarships—all totaling to more than $159 million. Merit awards include:
Freshman Awards
- Presidential Scholarship Award
- President’s Scholar Award
- Provost’s Scholar Award
- Coastal Scholar Award
- South Carolina Scholar Award
- Visual and Performing Arts Award
- Teal Scholar Award
- PGA Golf Management Trustee Award
- PGA Golf Management University Award
- PGA Golf Management Wall Award
Transfer Awards
- Transfer Scholar Level I Award
- Transfer Scholar Level II Award
- Transfer Scholar Level III Award
- Visual and Performing Arts Award
- PGA Golf Management Transfer Award
What Others are Saying
Contact Coastal Carolina University
Contact Admissions
www.coastal.edu/admissions/
843-349-2170
admissions@coastal.edu
Campus Location
100 Chanticleer Dr E
Conway, SC 29528
(800) 277-7000