Bridge Programs

Bridge Programs at PTC:

University of South Carolina-Columbia Bridge Program

Transfer Connect is one path offered to students at South Carolina’s technical colleges who want to transfer to USC-Columbia after completing 30 hours.

Benefits

• Admissions and major selection counseling
• Financial aid education
• Invitations to special events

How to Enroll

• Apply to PTC either online or in person and identify yourself as a Bridge program student. Visit our admissions page for more detailed application instructions.
• Complete the Transfer Connect Registration Form. 

For more information about USC-Columbia's Bridge Program, click here.

College of Charleston Collaboration

The College of Charleston Collaboration provides prospective freshman transfer students with the opportunity to make a successful transition from Piedmont Tech to the College of Charleston.

This program is designed to provide students with advising and academic support to help them transfer to the College of Charleston.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

College of Charleston Collaboration is open by invitation to freshman applicants who choose to attend Piedmont Technical College during the fall semester and who have been offered a freshman transfer opportunity to the College of Charleston. Students must also meet minimum placement criteria.

Students are expected to earn a minimum of 24 transferable credit hours at PTC following high school graduation. The minimum GPA required is 2.6 (in-state) and 3.0 (out-of-state). If the student does not have the requisite grade point average and earned hours at the end of the second semester, he/she may choose to defer the admissions application to a subsequent semester.

Students will pay tuition and fees for full-time enrollment to CofC. Students who have filed the FAFSA should add College of Charleston to the list of colleges to receive their financial aid report.

How to enroll

To enroll, apply to PTC either online or in person and identify yourself as a Bridge program student. Visit our admissionspage for more detailed application instructions.

Completed C of C Collaboration applications must be submitted to the Office of Admissions no later than May 10.

For more information visit the College of Charleston's Web site.

Columbia College Bridge Program

Piedmont Technical College and Columbia College have signed an articulation agreement that will create a bridge program for students who would like to begin their studies at PTC, and then transfer to Columbia College.

Because PTC is an open-admissions institution, it will also offer students who may require some academic preparation an alternative for admission to Columbia.

Benefits

Bridge program participants will benefit from an array of services that will improve their transition from PTC to Columbia, including:

• Joint admissions counseling with PTC advisors and Columbia College mentors
• Invitations to Columbia recreational, campus and cultural events.

Who is Eligible?

Requirements for participation in the bridge program are the same as with any transfer student wishing to attend Columbia College. Students must have a minimum of 30 hours completed to transfer and must submit an admissions application and all other standard paperwork in order to be considered.

HOW TO ENROLL

To enroll, apply to PTC either online or in person and identify yourself as a Bridge program student. Visit our admissions page for more detailed application instructions.

Presbyterian College Bridge Program

Piedmont Technical College and Presbyterian College have signed an articulation agreement that will create a bridge program for students who would like to begin their studies at PTC, and then transfer to Presbyterian College.

Because PTC is an open-admissions institution, it will also offer students who may require some academic preparation an alternative for admission to PC.

Benefits

Bridge program participants will benefit from an array of services that will improve their transition from PTC to PC, including:

• Joint admissions counseling with PTC advisors and Presbyterian College mentors
• A waiver of the application fee to PC
• Special consideration for scholarship opportunities
• Invitations to PC recreational, campus and cultural events.

Who is eligible?

Requirements for participation in the bridge program are the same as with any transfer student wishing to attend Presbyterian College. Students must have a minimum of 30 hours completed to transfer with a programmatic grade point average of 2.50  or higher with a grade of “C” or better in all transfer courses and must submit an admissions application and all other standard paperwork in order to be considered.

How to enroll

1. To enroll, apply to PTC either online or in person and identify yourself as a Bridge program student. Visit our admissions page for more detailed application instructions.
2. Complete the Presbyterian College Bridge Form.

USC Upstate Bridge Program

Upstate Direct Connect allows for a smooth transfer from partnering two-year colleges to the University of South Carolina Upstate for students who are working towards an AA, AS, or select AAS degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. 

Benefits

• Guaranteed entrance to USC Upstate: Any student who graduates with an AA, AS, or select AAS degree from Piedmont Technical College is guaranteed admission to USC Upstate (minimum 2.0 GPA required).
• Academic Advising: Onsite advising from both institutions.
• Priority registration: Students can register for classes before other students.
• Concurrent admission: After completing at least 45 hours at PTC, students can select USC Upstate courses to complete.

How to Enroll

• Apply to PTC either online or in person and identify yourself as a Bridge program student. Visit our admissions page for more detailed application instructions.
• Complete the electronic USC Upstate Direct Connect Form.
• Submit an application to USC Upstate during the semester you will complete 45 hours at PTC.

For more information about USC Upstate's Bridge Program, click here.

South Carolina State University Bridge Program

In 2018, South Carolina State University (SC State) and Piedmont Technical College (PTC) signed an articulation agreement that creates more options for students who would like to begin their studies at PTC and then transfer to SC State to complete a bachelor's degree program.

The Bridge Program created in the agreement is intended to make transitions from SC technical colleges to the university system as seamless as possible and to increase the success of transfer students once they're enrolled at SC State.

Universities and technical colleges will identify and contact students who are eligible for the Bridge Program. SC State and PTC have had a longstanding partnership to offer students the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology on PTC’s Greenwood Campus. The two institutions are committed to continuing and strengthening this partnership.

In order to offer more opportunities for PTC students to transfer to SC State, the institutions have worked on articulation pathways in the following majors and are committed to keeping these opportunities up-to-date and relevant.

• BS Accounting
• BS Agribusiness
• BS Criminal Justice
• BS Early Childhood Education
• BS Economics
• BS Electrical Engineering Technology
• BA English
• BA History
• BS Management
• BS Marketing
• BS Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Mechatronics Technology to BS Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Mechatronics Technology to BS Electrical Engineering Technology
• BA Political Science (Pre-Law)
• BA Political Science (Public Administration)
• BA Psychology
• BS Social Work
• BA Sociology

Benefits

Bulldog Gateway Bridge Program participants will benefit from an array of services that will improve their transitions from PTC to SC State, including:

• Orientation meeting and campus tour
• Individualized advisement
• Admissions counseling
• Financial aid education
• Career counseling
• Student success and retention programs

How to Enroll

1. Apply to PTC either online or in person and identify yourself as a Bridge Program student. Visit our admissions page for more detailed application instructions.
2. Complete the SC State Bulldog Gateway Bridge Enrollment Form.

For more information, visit www.scsu.edu. 

Anderson University Bridge Program

Anderson University’s Bridge Program enhances the transfer process for students from local South Carolina technical colleges. Student must attend PTC for at least one academic year prior to beginning classes at Anderson University, completing at least a minimum of 30 semester hours and maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA.

Benefits:

• Invitations to campus events
• Admissions counseling
• Application fee waiver
• Individualized advisement
• Up to 60 credit hours accepted
• Transfer Scholarships available
• *Ask about the Preferred Partnership Program*

How to Enroll:

• Apply to PTC either online or in person and identify yourself as a Bridge program student. Visit our admissions page for more detailed application instructions.
• Complete the Trojan Transfer Program form.

For more information about AU’s Bridge Program, click here.

What are the Benefits?

Starting coursework at Piedmont Tech can be beneficial for students who ultimately want to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university for a variety of reasons. PTC’s bridge agreements are designed to make your transition from PTC to a four-year college as seamless as possible and to increase your likelihood of success once you’re enrolled at your chosen institution.

Seamless Transfer Experience

Most Bridge Programs involve an array of services offered by the destination school while you're still taking classes at PTC. These services are designed to improve your transition when you transfer. Some of these services include:

• Admissions counseling
• Financial-aid education
• Major and career counseling
• Assistance from student mentors
• Priority registration for some residence halls
• Invitations to special events

Cost Savings and Convenience

If you complete a portion of your education here, you'll save thousands in tuition costs and fees. And with lots of financial aid options and a tuition payment plan, we work to make higher education affordable for everyone.

Plus, with seven locations, chances are that you'll be able to take many of your courses close to home to save on housing and commuting costs. Our extensive selection of online courses make getting your start at Piedmont Tech even more convenient.