Academic Common Market

What is the Academic Common Market (ACM)?

The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition savings program for college students from selected states in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their home state institutions. If approved, students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree programs and pay only the in-state tuition rates. The ACM program is not competitive or merit-based, but applicants must meet home state residency requirements and admissions requirements. To qualify for the Academic Common Market, a student must be a resident of an SREB member state, be admitted unconditionally into the institution and program that is approved by the home state, and be certified by the home state to participate. It is the responsibility of the student to contact their respective ACM coordinator to determine if the desired degree program qualifies within their state.

Students must be fully admitted into an eligible degree program to submit documents to their respective state representative.

What degree programs has South Carolina State University made available through the ACM?

• Agribusiness (BS) – The Agribusiness Program focuses on the marketing and distribution of food and fiber products and the unique characteristics of the food and fiber sector of the U.S. economy. Students must complete 122 credit hours, which include in-depth training in business and economic techniques extensively used by a vast array of agribusiness firms and agencies which provide supplies and services to businesses that produce and market agriculture products. Additional Accreditation: AACSB provides internationally recognized, specialized accreditation for business and accounting programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level. It is the most recognized form of specialized/professional accreditation an institution and its business programs can earn.

 

• Art Studio (BA) – The Studio Art Program focuses on a breadth of experience in visual arts. Students must complete 120/121 credit hours, which include experience in the traditional tools, techniques and modes of artistic expression as well as new media and design concepts. The student will also develop an understanding and appreciation of the history of art as well as critical thinking about art and how it relates to the world. The curriculum is structured so that the student begins with foundation level courses in studio arts, moves on to beginning courses in several disciplines, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, digital media, ceramics and sculpture, and then moves on to gain intermediate and advanced experience in one or more disciplines. The concentration on one discipline within a liberal arts degree allows the student to go beyond beginning level skill tests and exercises in order to provide the student with experience in more advanced creative development. South Carolina State University is also an accredited Institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

 

• Nuclear Engineering – The Nuclear Engineering is offered in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin -Madison and North Carolina State University. The Nuclear Engineering Program focuses planning, designing, developing, testing, and/or operating nuclear reactors. Students must complete 139/140 credit hours, which include in-depth training which emphasizes the fundamentals of engineering and therefore does not limit our graduates to the field of nuclear engineering. Graduates of this program will also be prepared for graduate studies in nuclear engineering, including radiological sciences, materials sciences and other fields. The Nuclear Engineering Program is additionally accredited by The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

 

• Speech Pathology and Audiology – The Speech Pathology and Audiology Program focuses on how to function effectively as speech-language pathologists who serve the communicative needs of culturally and linguistically diverse populations in a variety of work settings. Students must complete 128 credit hours, which include in-depth training in critical clinical decision-making based upon empirical evidence. The Speech Pathology and Audiology Program is additionally accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA).

Please refer to the school catalog or website for program specific requirements and prerequisites. Please contact your state representative to learn more about adding an available program to your state’s ACM inventory.

How do I apply for the Academic Common Market for an available degree program?

1. Apply to South Carolina State University and be granted full admission* into one of the available academic programs listed above,
2. Confirm that the desired degree program is not offered by a college or university within your home state,
3. Complete and submit an ACM certification application to your state’s designated agency,
4. Submit the required documentation to verify state residency, and
5. Be certified by your home state to participate in the ACM through South Carolina State University.

Full Admissions

First-Time Students and Transfer Students must meet the University admissions requirements.

Readmitting Students

Students who are required to formally reapply to South Carolina State University will need to be re-certified for the applicable term of enrollment to have their Academic Common Market Waiver reinstated.

What is my state’s certification process?

Acceptance for participation through the Academic Common Market will be determined by your state’s ACM coordinator and based upon degree program availability and verification of residency. Generally, you will be required to research your degree program’s availability within your home state and provide evidence of your residency by submitting documents such as a driver’s license, voter registration card, state tax return or other instruments that the state may require. Individual state application deadlines may exist. Please allow up to two months for processing. To avoid the last minute flood of applications (particularly in July and August) and to avoid late tuition adjustments, it is wise to start the application process approximately two months prior to the beginning of the semester; however, students must be fully admitted into an eligible degree program prior to submitting documents to their respective state representative.

Does South Carolina State University require me to enroll as a full-time student in order to qualify for the ACM tuition waiver?

Yes, South Carolina State University requires students receiving the ACM tuition waiver to enroll continuously in a full-time status each eligible term. Full-time enrollment requires students to register for a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours per semester per term. All applicants are strongly encouraged to register for fifteen (15) credit hours to eighteen (18) credit hours per term. The ACM tuition waiver is prorated for students enrolled less than full-time in the summer terms only unless prohibited by an SREB state. Please check with your state for clarification of full-time during summer terms.

Are other merit awards available for out-of-state students who receive the ACM tuition waiver?

The ACM tuition waiver is sponsored by South Carolina State University and is not paid by the home state. Because of the significant reduction in tuition for approved students, ACM students are not eligible for South Carolina State University’s tuition based awards. When new students are admitted to the University and qualify for both the ACM tuition waiver and a tuition based award, the student will be required to select which award s/he will accept. Tuition based awards allow the student to change majors, whereas the ACM program requires that student remain in the ACM major in order to continue receiving the tuition waiver each semester and summer term. The student must choose one option at the point of matriculation. (Tuition based awards include: Presidential, Freshman Gap, and Legacy Scholarships.)

Students who change their major after receiving the ACM tuition waiver may have their tuition award reinstated, at the University’s discretion. Reinstatement requires prior tuition award recipients to have remaining term(s) of eligibility and demonstrate academic performance, as well as, degree progress consistent with annual renewal criteria.

How can I obtain additional information?

For more information and to determine if you may qualify for participation through the Academic Common Market, please contact your state representative listed below. For additional contact information, you may also visit http://home.sreb.org/acm/participating/institutionstates.aspx.

ALABAMA – No majors
P.O. Box 302000
Montgomery, AL 36130-2000
334-242-2209 (P); 334-242-0270 (F)
http://www.ache.edu/SREB.aspx

ARKANSAS – Intelligence and National Security Studies, Marine Science
423 Main Street – S-400
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-371-2061 (P); 501-682-6399 (F)
http://www.adhe.edu/institutions/academic-affairs/academic-common-market/

DELAWARE – Digital Culture and Design, Intelligence and National Security Studies, Theatre (BA), B.F.A. Theatre Arts (all concentrations)
401 Federal Street – Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901
302-735-4120 (P); 302-739-5894 (F)
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/978

FLORIDA – No majors
325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 1601
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
850-245-9693 (P); 850-245-9685 (F)
http://www.flbog.edu/forstudents/upi/acm.php

GEORGIA – No majors
270 Washington Street S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334-1450
404-962-3079 (P); 404-962-3095 (F)
http://www.usg.edu/divisions/ academic_common_market/

KENTUCKY – Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (MS), Digital Culture and Design, Intelligence and National Security Studies, Marine Science, B.F.A. Theatre Arts (Physical Theatre concentration)
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 320
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-573-1555 x268 (P); 502-573-1535 (F)
http://www.cpe.ky.gov/acm/apply-acm.html

LOUISIANA – Intelligence and National Security Studies, Marine Science, B.F.A Theatre Arts (Design and Production, Physical Theatre concentrations)
1201 N. Third St., Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-342-4253 (P); 225-342-6926 (F)
http://www.regents.la.gov/page/academic-comon-market-sreb

MARYLAND – Digital Culture and Design, Intelligence and National Security Studies, Master of Science in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies (M.S.), Recreation and Sport Management, Sustainability and Coastal Resilience, B.F.A. Theatre Arts (Musical Theatre and Physical Theatre concentrations)
6 N Liberty St, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-767-3300 (P); 410-332-0270 (F)
http://mhec.maryland.gov/institutions_training/Pages/acadaff/commonmarket.aspx

MISSISSIPPI – Intelligence and National Security Studies, Marine Science
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
601-432-6422 (P); 601-432-6225 (F)
http://www.mississippi.edu/acm/

OKLAHOMA – Marine Science, B.F.A Theatre Arts (Physical Theatre concentration)
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
405-225-9621 (P); 405-225-9230 (F)
http://secure.okcollegestart.org/College_Planning/Explore_Schools/SREB_Academic_Common_Market.aspx

TENNESSEE – Intelligence and National Security Studies, Marine Science, Sustainability and Coastal Resilience, B.F.A. Theatre Arts (Physical Theatre concentration)
404 James Robertson Parkway
Parkway Towers – Suite 1900
Nashville, TN 37243-0830
615-741-0060 (P); 615-741-6230 (F)
https://www.tn.gov/thec/acm.html

TEXAS – No majors
1200 E. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752
512-427-6518 (P); 512-427-6168 (F) http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=89DEE610-1C09-11E8-BC500050560100A9
VIRGINIA – Intelligence and Nati
onal Security Studies, Marine Science, Middle Level Education
101 North 14th Street, 9th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
804-225-2621 (P) 804-225-2604 (F)
http://www.schev.edu/index/tuition-aid/academic-common-market

WEST VIRGINIA – Marine Science
1018 Kanawha Blvd. East – Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301-2827
304-558-0262 (P); 304-558-0089 (F)
http://www.wvhepc.com/inside-the-commission/offices-and-affiliates/academic-affairs/

Each participating SREB state has a coordinator for the Academic Common Market. For the most accurate listing of state coordinators’ names and addresses, please visit the SREB Web site at www.sreb.org or call the SREB in Atlanta at (404) 875-9211. Florida, North Carolina, and Texas are also members of the SREB but only offer the Academic Common Market at a graduate level.

(Updated August 5, 2022 – information is subject to change without notification)