240-acre (100-hectare) campus in Myrtle Beach, S.C., close to the Atlantic Ocean and resort beaches. Founded in 1954, Coastal Carolina University began as a branch campus of the University of South Carolina and has evolved into an independent institution. The university focuses primarily on undergraduate programs but does offer graduate studies in education. Enrollment is about 4,500, with approximately three fourths of the students being state residents. Women slightly outnumber men. Some campus housing is available. The colleges of Coastal Carolina University include natural and applied sciences, business administration and computer science, humanities and fine arts, and education. The academic calendar is divided into semesters. More than three fifths of the full-time faculty hold doctorates. Intercollegiate sports are played in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The university was a founding member of the Big South Conference. The school's nickname is the Chanticleers, and its colors are scarlet and black. The university conducts some 50 extracurricular activities, including fraternities and sororities, a ski club, and performing arts groups. |