Support Services

Critical ancillary services are available to enhance student life and the education, research and service missions of MUSC for faculty and students.

Division of Education and Student Life
The Division of Education and Student Life is dedicated to fostering the academic success and development of health professionals by providing exemplary educational and student support services through its Offices of Enrollment Management, Academic Support Services, Student Health and Wellness, Student Programs and Educational Technology Services. The Division is directed by the Associate Provost for Education and Student Life.

Office of Enrollment Management
In close coordination with each of the six University colleges, the Office of Enrollment Management processes all admission applications; manages matriculation; handles registration and academic records (grade recording and transcripts); processes financial aid requests; conducts degree audits for graduation; manages commencement; and reports academic information to state education offices.

Academic Support Services
Center for Academic Excellence
171 Ashley Ave., 201 Education Center/Library, (843)792-6390
The Center for Academic Excellence offers academic enhancement/ support through individual and group course-specific Supplemental Instruction (tutoring) in any course at the University when requested. With an assigned course-specific Supplemental Instructor, a student can discuss key concepts, extract important information from texts, review class notes, and prepare for exams. In individual appointments with experienced faculty members, students can learn more about themselves as learners by assessing their learning styles. CAE faculty teach students strategies for studying effectively and efficiently. One of the keys to success is the ability to master skills for taking multiple-choice exams, and CAE faculty have over 12 years of experience in this type of instruction. We also offer sessions on time management. We will help you prepare for any board/national certifying exam you have to take. CAE’s computer lab is designed to meet the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff. (Bring your own paper, and you can print at no charge). This computer lab is available 24/7. Call 792-6390 for assistance or schedule an appointment.

Writing Center
171 Ashley Avenue, 201 Colbert Education Center/Library, (843)792-6390
The Writing Center is an excellent resource for the development of good writing skills… from the drafting stage through revision, editing, and even publication. Writing Center faculty members teach students to communicate effectively with their professors, their fellow students, and their patients through constructive dialogue and one-on-one collaborations. From a review of the literature on the latest standards of care or a cover letter for that first job to a dissertation or grant proposal, these experts in scientific and professional writing teach skills necessary for career success.  We also are available for seminars/workshops and class lectures. We can teach you to become more effective, efficient writers and specifically work with you on any of the following:

•    choosing a topic for a paper
•    writing academic argument
•    understanding an assignment
•    writing a rough draft
•    revising and editing a draft
•    documenting sources
•    preparing a presentation
•    creating an effective poster

As a center for the humanities on campus, we want students to develop a fuller appreciation for the importance of human connection in practice and biomedical research. Therefore, our faculty offer three interprofessional humanities courses: Health Care and the Humanities, Films of the Clinical Experience, and Making Clinical Connections: Writing the Health Care Experience. Each course emphasizes how the study of narrative and the act of writing can make students better interpreters of patient stories and more reflective in their own practice and research. These are 12-week electives for 2.5 credit hours.

We also offer writing assistance to students for whom English is not their first language.

You can call the Writer’s Hotline and for a quick question about grammar, punctuation, documentation formats (e.g. APA), or style (843-792-6390). 

Master-level or PhD students can get help with theses and dissertations at any stage of the writing process. 

Writing Center faculty work not only in face-to-face appointments but also online for students who are at a distance from campus.

The Writing Center’s computer lab is designed to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff.  This computer lab is available 24/7.  

Call 843-792-6390 for assistance and appointments or visit http://www.musc.edu/writingcenter/wcindex.htm for more information.

Student Health and Wellness
Counseling and Psychological Services
This service provides an integral component of professional development by addressing the personal issues of university students. The professional staff offers services that include individual counseling, educational and study skill development, couples and group counseling, and referral for other services as needed. Services are covered by the student services fee and studens rights to confidentiality are strictly safeguarded.

Student Health Service
Student Health Services provides ambulatory health care to actively enrolled MUSC students. Services include outpatient treatment for acute and chronic illnesses, preventive health care, women’s health, travel medicine, and health education.

Prior to enrollment, all incoming students (full-time and part-time) are required to:   

·         Complete a medical history form.

·         Provide proof of immunization or immunity to rubeola, rubella, mumps, and varicella (must have received two vaccines or have immune titers). An adult booster of Tetanus-diphtheria- acellular pertussis is required.  Meningococcal Vaccination (or signed declination) is required.

·         Provide proof of a two step intradermal tuberculin skin test within three months prior to enrollment.

All full time MUSC students are required to carry health insurance. Students have the option of continuing coverage under their parents or spouse’s policy, purchasing a private policy, or enrolling in the student insurance policy.

MUSC Wellness Center
The Wellness Center provides students a place to congregate and participate in social, recreational, and educational activities. A variety of services are offered to promote wellness attitudes and practices among future health professionals.  State-of-the-art facilities include a 3,000 square foot group exercise studio; tennis; racquetball; and squash courts; a full-size gymnasium; indoor/outdoor running tracks; comprehensive cardiovascular and strength training areas; and a Olympic-size swimming pool.

A variety of fitness programs and classes are offered. The Human Performance Laboratory, located in the Wellness Center, provides fitness evaluations including assessment of body composition, muscular strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance.

Student Programs
Office of Student Diversity
The Office of Student Diversity collaborates with the MUSC community to promote an inclusive environment that fosters intellectual excellence and the true integration of a diverse student body into all aspects of academic life. The mission of the Office of Student Diversity is to promote an inclusive environment for all students regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age ability, or socio-economic status. The Office meets it mission through its programming and support of various student organizations, including the Multicultural Student Advisory Board, the Alliance for Hispanic Health, the Gay Straight Alliance and the International Student Association.  The goals of the office are to facilitate the academic success of students as they transition into and through health professions and biomedical sciences programs; to augment the unique values and interests of diverse student groups while encouraging community building and collaboration with the entire student body; to serve as a catalyst in building and promoting effective relationships with the six colleges, assisting with the on-campus recruitment, retention, and graduation of a more diverse health care workforce; to promote intercultural education, awareness and community enhancement in collaboration with the Division of Education and Student Life and to provide comprehensive programs and services that enhance the quality of every student's life.

Student Programs
In close conjunction with the Student Government Association and college student organizations, the Student Programs staff works to provide students and the MUSC community with a varied calendar of social, recreational, educational, interprofessional, and cultural events. The comprehensive services available through Student Programs includes: Student Communications; Intramural Sports; Off-Campus Housing Services; MUSC Gives Back, Training and Intercultural Education, and Student Diversity and Student Organizational Support. University-wide and college-related student organizations offer students the opportunity to develop their leadership/management skills; to serve their fellow students, the Charleston community, and/or their profession; to explore new and old interests; and simply have a good time with other involved students, staff, and faculty.

Programs include: a five-sport intramural competition in flag football, volleyball, winter and summer (5-on-5) basketball, indoor soccer and other recreational programs; the annual “Welcome Back” social, oyster roast, and wine tasting; numerous cultural events; and many opportunities to take advantage of the wealth of cultural and recreational resources in the Charleston area.

Publications from the Student Programs office include the online MUSC Student Handbook and Student Directory.

The Student Programs office provides information about the Medical University and local resources available to the students, some at discounted rates through daily Student Broadcast Email. The staff also functions in the role of advocate for students who encounter difficulties in non-academic areas.

Center for Global Initiatives
The Center for Global Initiatives through it's International Programs office assists international students with making the adjustment to living in the United States.  Multicultural programs and events to promote understanding of cultural diversity are managed through this office.

Housing
The Off-Campus Housing Office assists students in finding suitable housing in the Charleston area. The office is located in the Harper Student Wellness Center. The University does not provide on-campus dormitory housing, but this office has up-to-date listings of houses, apartments, and rooms for rent as well as lists of individuals looking for roommates. Other services offered by the housing office include: individual housing counseling, roommate finder parties, free legal assistance, Charleston area information, telephone for local calls, large wall map of the Charleston area, Apartment Finder Guides, and information on average rental and utility rates.

Volunteer Opportunities:  MUSC Gives Back
The MUSC GIVES BACK Student Community Volunteer Program provides assistance to individual students, groups, or service organizations in selecting, organizing, and implementing student volunteer activities. By careful development of volunteer activities, experiences are provided that directly impact the students success as health professionals by allowing them to observe and address health care problems in the community they will ultimately serve. The MUSC GIVES BACK office has information on local volunteer-based organizations that have indicated a specific need for help from University students.

Office of Instructional Technology and Faculty Resources
This unit provides technology support for the academic mission of the university through oversight and management of instructional technology innovations for education, including technology services in classroom support, distance education technologies, and video and digital imaging services.  It also provides graphics and website design and implementation services for academic, research, and general information purposes.

Library
The mission of the Library is to meet the information needs of faculty, staff and students of the University and to support the curriculum, research, and patient care goals of MUSC. The Library serves as a major medical resource library within the state, and within local, regional, and national networks.

The MUSC Library is on the second, third, and fourth floors of the James W. Colbert Education Center and Library Building located on Ashley Avenue between the Clinical Sciences and Basic Science Buildings. Students and Faculty have MUSC ID card access to the 2nd and 3rd floors of the library 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  Entrance is via the 2nd floor.

The Library’s collections include books, electronic books, journals, electronic journals, journal article indexes, knowledge bases, electronic clinical collections, and selected Internet resources.  The library is committed to electronic access to the databases, clinical collections, journals and books wherever the students are physically located. The Library provides access to 220 electronic databases and clinical collections, 19,619 journals (19,606 electronic journals and 13 print journals) and 97,880 books (30,768 electronic books, 67,112 print books).

The Informatics Labs are located on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors. Approximately 200 Windows and Apple computers are available.There are five computer classrooms, open floor labs, and graphic workstations. General use workstations include access to the library¹s electronic resources, the Internet, e-mail, Microsoft Office, SPSS, EndNote as well as other commonly used software.  

Library faculty and staff are available to assist users in the location of information, to provide instruction in the use of various resources, and to educate users in the process of information access and retrieval.

Student Accounting
The functions of the Student Accounting Office are loan distribution and fee collections. All loans, grants, scholarships, and college work study funds are disbursed through the Student Accounting Office. This office also manages repayment of all student loans except for guaranteed student loans and health education assistance loans.

Questions pertaining to tuition and fee accounting, tuition payment plans, refunds, and late fee waivers can be answered in the Student Accounting Office.

Campus Ministry
Ministers from a variety of denominations make themselves available to university students and plan fellowship opportunities on campus.

Students with Disabilities
Since the mid-1970's, the Medical University has been concerned that the needs of disabled students are addressed. In a supportive environment, students with disabilities are encouraged to work toward an independent lifestyle and to become self-sufficient. Students with disabilities who seek accommodation may file their request with the dean of their college.

Students of the Medical University of South Carolina are protected from discrimination on the basis of disability. Students who believe they have been discriminated against may make a claim that their rights have been denied. This claim or complaint may be filed with the Wally Bonaparte, Director of the Office of the EEO/AA Charleston, South Carolina 29425, (843) 792-1568. Complainants will be asked to write down the actions, policies, or practices which they believe are discriminatory. Help is available from the Office of Diversity.

Complaints should include the following:

The exact nature of the complaint -- how complainants believe they may have been discriminated against, and any person they believe may be responsible;

The date, time, and place of the incident;

The names of witnesses or persons who have knowledge about the incident;

Any available written documentation or evidence that is relevant to the complaint;

The actions that could be taken to correct the violation.

If there is agreement that the complainant was discriminated against, corrective action will be taken to restore complainants rights. If there is not agreement, appeals may be made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost or his or her designee.

Students may also file a complaint of illegal discrimination with the Regional Civil Rights Director, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Region IV, 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 19T70, Atlanta, GA 30303, at the same time the complaint is filed, during or after use of the complaint process, or without using the complaint process at all.

To discuss their rights under Title IX, ADA and Section 504, to obtain a copy of the complaint procedures, or to obtain help in filing a complaint, students should contact Wally Bonaparte, Director of the Office of the EEO/AA Charleston, South Carolina 29425, (843) 792-2146. .

Student Employment
This service provides assistance to students in locating part-time and full-time employment both on-campus and off-campus during the academic year and during periods of non-enrollment. This service and the Federal Work Study Program are coordinated through the office of Student Financial Aid Services.

International Support Services
The Office of International Support Services assists students with immigration and visa matters, U.S. tax preparation/forms, temporary housing, host-family applications, and problems and questions regarding the Charleston area and living in the United States.

The Alumni Association
The first suggestion for an alumni association for the Medical College of the State of South Carolina was made by the class of 1876. However, it was not until 1892 that an association was organized, a constitution adopted, and officers were elected. The initial organization had 75 members and a bank balance of $290.

Through the years, this fledgling group expanded as the Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing (now colleges) developed active alumni bodies and, in more recent years, as the Colleges of Graduate Studies, Health Professions, and Dental Medicine came into existence. The Association has evolved with the institution, and its current structure, adopted in 1982, is composed of a separate association for each of the six colleges with a joint board setting general alumni association policy.

The Medical University's alumni have been a major source of support, both moral and financial, throughout the institution's history. Perhaps the most notable instances were in 1913 when alumni rallied behind administration and faculty to achieve the passage of state legislation needed to ensure the school's continued operation and again in the 1950s when land and facilities were desperately needed for campus expansion. In recognition of this latter effort, the University's dormitory facility (which has since been converted to office space) was appropriately named the Alumni Memorial House.

The Medical University of South Carolina's alumni constituency currently numbers more than 25,000, and a major goal of the Alumni Association continues to be the betterment of the University.