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POLI Homepage Faculty Graduate Programs Undergraduate Programs Department News Registrar & Courses Governor West Forum Japan Considered Civic Education Project Journal of Political Science Political Science Research Workshop Ph.D.'s on the Market Related Programs Mission Statement Department Reports USC  THIS SITE		Department of Political Science, Gambrell Hall, 3rd Floor, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 Tel: 803.777.3109 Fax: 803.777.8255 Email: poli@sc.edu   Introduction MA Program Ph.D. Program MPA Program The University The Graduate School Location MPA Handbook Application and Admissions Financial Aid & Tuition Faculty MPA Newsletter Student Resources Professional Placement Services Political Science Graduate Student Association MPA Internship Current Graduate Students Photo Gallery Related Links National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration Contact Us Location Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina and one of the most rapidly growing metropolitan areas in the nation, with a population of just over 100,000 in the city and 500,000 in the metropolitan area of Richland and Lexington counties.  Columbia is home to regional and state headquarters for a number of businesses, financial institutions, and industries.  Columbia is the site of Fort Jackson, one of the U.S. military's largest training facilities as well as a number of colleges and universities.  The city is large enough to offer a considerable amount of diversity for an urban setting, yet small enough for things to be convenient and manageable at the individual level. The Columbia Metropolitan Area offers a wealth of opportunities for graduate students to pursue a variety of extra curricular activities.  The moderate climate makes all kinds of activities possible year round.  There are many local parks and recreational centers in the city which offer a variety of activities.  The University also offers a full range of intercollegiate and intramural sports.  There are also many locations such as the Congaree National Park, designated in November 2003 as the nation's 57th National Park, that have national prominence and are wonderful places to spend an afternoon exploring. The Five Points area adjacent to the University is a lively place, especially during festivals such as the St. Patrick's Day Festival and the International Food Festival.   There are also three community theaters in close proximity to the University in addition to the University's own theater program.  The Koger Center for Performing Arts frequently hosts contemporary musical guests such as Prince and Hootie and the Blowfish in addition to touring symphony, ballet, and Broadway musical groups. If you are interested in visits to the mountains or the coast, both are easily only a two-hour drive away.  The city is served by several airlines, as well as by bus and rail.  There are also three major interstate highways intersecting in Columbia.  All of this makes professional and leisurely travel convenient.
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Last updated 4/22/2006 Julie Loggins © 2006 University of South Carolina Board of Trustees