Historically Black South Carolina State University has recently launched four new STEM degree programs to prepare students for careers in a broad range of industries.
Thanks to funding from Dominion Energy, SC State will offer three new bachelor’s degrees in engineering. The first program, a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, will combine computer science and electrical design to prepare students to develop hardware and software systems that power artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced computing. Also leveraging the HBCU’s existing foundation in electronics is the new program in electrical engineering, which will emphasize renewable energy systems, embedded technologies, and sustainable innovation. Lastly, the third program in mechanical engineering will focus on design, manufacturing, and systems integration to prepare students for careers in aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and robotics industries.
In addition to these undergraduate programs, SC State has also launched a new master’s degree program in cybersecurity. Offered 100 percent online, the graduate degree will prepare students to secure data, systems, and networks across sectors. Students enrolled in the prgoram can choose to specialize in network defense, digital forensics, or cyber physical systems security. A recently received $405,000 grant from the Battelle Savannah River Alliance will allow the HBCU to recruit new faculty members with expertise in cybersecurity, computer science, and data science to lead the program.
“These new programs represent a major leap forward in SC State’s mission to educate and empower the next generation of innovators, engineers, and technology leaders,” said SC State President Alexander Conyers. “From cybersecurity to mechanical and electrical engineering, these degrees directly respond to the workforce needs of South Carolina and the nation. We are strengthening our capacity to train problem solvers who will secure our energy grids, design advanced systems, and protect the data that drive our economy.”
All four of SC State’s new programs have been fully approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, as well as the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The HBCU will begin enrolling students in these programs in the upcoming Spring 2026 semester.
