The College of Charleston has a new mission statement, and the potential to offer new programs for South Carolina students.

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education has approved a new mission statement for the College of Charleston, which recognizes the College’s separate component, the University of Charleston, South Carolina (UCSC), as a research university. Under state law, this designation allows UCSC to offer doctoral degrees, if there is a community need and if the necessary approvals are received from the state and from the College’s regional accreditor.

“Beginning today, the College’s faculty and administration have the ability to plan for the future,” said Glenn McConnell, president of the College of Charleston. “The needs of our community and our state are changing rapidly, and the College now can meet those needs.”

RELATED: Read the new Mission Statement.

“In the coming years, the College, through UCSC, will be able to offer targeted doctoral programs, consistent with the workforce needs of the state,” McConnell said. “At the same time, the College will continue to offer outstanding undergraduate instruction, as we have for more than 240 years.

“The undergraduate name and identity of this wonderful institution will not change, but we anticipate offering more support and expanded opportunities for students in our graduate programs at the University of Charleston, South Carolina,” McConnell added. “The Commission on Higher Education worked closely with us to make possible this important revision to the College’s mission. We thank the Commission for their collaboration with us and the other state universities in South Carolina.”