Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is a public university in Conway, South Carolina. Founded in 1954, it became an independent university in 1993. The university enrolls approximately 10,000 students annually and offers 74 undergraduate, 22 master's, and two doctoral degree programs. Coastal Carolina University is also the home of the Horry County Schools Scholars Academy, a high school for gifted students. The university is a NCAA Division I school and is a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The university's mascot is Chauncey the Chanticleer.