University of the Southern Caribbean

University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) is a private, coeducational institution with a diverse student body representing over 2500 students from over 40 countries. It is operated by the Caribbean Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists, which consists of the following territories: Barbados, Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad & Tobago, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Windward and Leeward Islands, excluding the French Dependencies.

The University is located on three hundred and eighty-four acres of land in the beautiful Maracas Valley, which is about ten miles northeast of Port-of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. The University estate, which borders the Maracas River, is covered with beautiful and varied tropical verdure. The mild, invigorating climate, with moderately cool nights, is not only conducive to study, but also provides an environment for healthy living.

USC was founded in 1927 as East Caribbean Training School, for the purpose of educating the youth of the Caribbean Union Conference. Two years later, it became Caribbean Training College. In 1945, the College developed a well-defined college preparatory instructional programme; and in 1947, Caribbean Training College was officially declared a junior College, offering two-year post-secondary certificates in theology, teacher training, business and secretarial science. In 1956, Caribbean Training College assumed a new name: Caribbean Union College.

In September 1970, an important academic extension was instituted at the University of the Southern Caribbean. The two-year junior college programme in theology was extended to a four-year programme, leading to the Bachelor of Theology degree. Subsequent changes included the conferring since 1985, of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Associate degrees in a wide range of disciplines in affiliation with Andrews University, Michigan, USA.

A significant change in status was received in February 2006 with the official conferral of the University title. The certificate of Institutional Title was presented to the Administration, by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT), making USC the third University in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. 

Additionally, the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago conferred Full Accreditation Status on USC in May 2012; making it the first private tertiary institution within the  Region to receive this award. 

The current offerings at USC include 16 graduate and 30 undergraduate degrees in Business, Education and Human Sciences, Humanities, Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Theology and Religion, from its six Academic Schools.  These offerings can also be pursued at any of its five satellite campuses located in Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados and Guyana.

The commencement of the first Doctoral Program at USC on January 13, 2014 signaled a historic landmark for the institution.  This Ph.D in Educational Psychology is administered in collaboration with Andrews University, Berrien Springs Michigan.

Graduates of the University serve the society in significant positions, not only in the Caribbean, but also in many parts of the world. The University’s name is honoured as many of its graduates have earned advanced degrees in internationally recognized and renowned institutions.