USC: Decision gives green light to medical school

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The University of South Carolina says it has the OK to open its medical school in Greenville next year.

University officials announced Wednesday the accrediting body for U.S. medical schools has awarded preliminary accreditation. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education notified the college and Greenville Hospital System earlier this week of its decision.

Preliminary accreditation is the first step in the accrediting process, which takes about four years.

The decision allows the school to recruit faculty and students. USC expects to accept 50 first-year students next fall.

The university is expanding its program in Greenville from two years to four, allowing all classes necessary for a degree to be taken there. Third- and fourth-year medical students have trained at Greenville Hospital System since 1991. Clinical rotations there began in 1983.