South University

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From the College

Established in 1899, South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, and professional development of a diverse student population. The Columbia, South Carolina, campus offers focused and balanced curricula at the associate and bachelor’s degree levels in the areas of business, criminal justice, graphic design, health-care management, health science, information technology, legal studies, nursing, and psychology. South University in Columbia also offers a Master of Arts in professional counseling, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Business Administration in health-care administration.

In addition, the Columbia campus offers students flexible scheduling with the choice of pursuing many of its courses on campus, online, or a combination of both through South University’s unique Plus+ program. Combining campus and online classes provides students with maximum flexibility, allowing them to organize their college education around their work and/or family commitments. Most students live within driving distance of the campus, but the Admissions Office does maintain information on various housing options should students relocate to the Columbia area for their education.

South University has a diverse student body enrolled in day, evening, and weekend classes. A sizeable portion of students have experience in the workforce and are pursuing an education that will prepare them to expand on their current career or take them in a new professional direction.

South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; 404-679-4501) to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. South University in Columbia is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, South Carolina 29201; 803-737-2260) to award associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees and certificates. The Columbia campus is also chartered by the state of South Carolina and approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (Veterans’ Education Section) for the training of veterans and other eligible persons.

Certain programs offered at South University in Columbia have earned programmatic accreditation. The Associate of Science in medical assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756; 727-210-2350) on recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Medical Assisting Education. The South Carolina State Board of Nursing has granted South University approval to accept qualified applicants for admission into the nursing program.

The Bachelor of Science in legal studies and Associate of Science in paralegal studies are both approved by the American Bar Association (321 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610; 312-988-5617).

South University’s Columbia campus relocated to the Carolina Research Park in northeast Columbia in fall 2006. The campus features spacious classrooms, multiple computer labs, a fully equipped medical lab, and a student lounge. It’s located just minutes from downtown in the Carolina Research Park off I-77 at Farrow Road and Park Lane.

The campus surroundings are highlighted by a natural wooded landscape and vast green space featuring a tranquil campus courtyard. Convenient to malls, shopping, and the growing northeast side of Columbia, the new campus location provides easier access to students from throughout the greater Columbia area.

South University in Columbia awards the following two-year degrees: Associate of Science in business administration, Associate of Science in graphic design, Associate of Science in information technology, Associate of Science in medical assisting, and Associate of Science in paralegal studies.

The following four-year bachelor’s degrees are awarded: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, Bachelor of Science in graphic design, Bachelor of Science in health-care management, Bachelor of Science in health science, Bachelor of Science in information technology, Bachelor of Science in legal studies, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

South University in Columbia offers degree programs that are designed to meet the needs and objectives of students. Some curricula combine didactic and practical educational experiences that provide students with the academic background needed to pursue the professions of their choice. In addition, faculty members strive to instill the value not only of education and professionalism but also of contribution and commitment to the advancement of community.

Each University quarter comprises eleven weeks. Associate degree programs require a minimum of eight quarters to complete, and bachelor’s degree programs require a minimum of twelve quarters to complete. Programs are offered on a year-round basis, providing students with the ability to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

South University’s multimillion-dollar Columbia campus provides ample classroom and student service areas and features several smart classrooms with audiovisual technology. The campus also contains a tiered lecture hall with videoconferencing capability, a fully equipped medical lab, multiple computer labs featuring PC and Mac computers, and more.

The library houses a large collection that includes an extensive legal library. Students may retrieve periodicals in paper or electronic form. Students may also access several commercial online services, including Westlaw, the computerized legal research service; LIRN; SearchBank; Infotract; UMI ProQuest; and the Electronic Library. Internet access is available on all computers throughout the campus.

Information about tuition and fees can be obtained by contacting the South University Admissions Office.

South University’s Office of Student Financial Services helps qualified students secure financial assistance to complete their studies. The University participates in several student aid programs. Forms of financial aid available to qualified students through federal resources include the Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program, Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Stafford Student Loan Program (subsidized and unsubsidized), and Federal PLUS Loan Program. South University employs the Federal Need Analysis Methodology, approved by the U.S. Department of Education, as a fair and equitable means of determining a family’s ability to contribute to the student’s educational expenses, as well as eligibility for other financial aid programs. Qualified students may apply for the South Carolina HOPE Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship, and veterans’ educational benefits. Students also are encouraged to investigate the availability of grants and scholarships through community resources.

The South University faculty includes individuals of high academic distinction. Of the more than 50 instructors on the campus, 46 percent hold terminal degrees in their fields of expertise. In addition to teaching, faculty members strive to help students develop the requisites to appreciate knowledge and understand how experiences in the classroom and laboratory relate to professional performance in the workplace. The average student-faculty ratio per class is 14:1. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser, who oversees the student’s progress and can answer questions about academic and career concerns. Students are encouraged to discuss program-related issues with and seek academic and career advice from their faculty adviser.

To be admitted to South University, prospective students must be high school graduates or hold a GED certificate and submit SAT or ACT scores or achieve a satisfactory score on the University-administered admissions examination. Students who wish to transfer must meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.

All applicants to South University in Columbia must demonstrate English as a first language through submission of a diploma from a secondary school (or above) in which English is the official language of instruction. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. Applicants should contact the Admissions Office to determine other examinations/scores that are acceptable as an alternative to the TOEFL.

Applicants must complete and submit an application form, along with the general application fee, and official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended. Applicants must also complete all tests administered by the University or submit their SAT or ACT scores to the Registrar’s Office. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be made as far in advance as possible.

All international (nonimmigrant) applicants to South University must meet the same admissions standards as all other students. In addition, international applicants must have official education records prepared in English, verify sufficient funds to cover the cost of the educational program, and meet certain other immigration-mandated criteria. South University in Columbia is authorized under federal law to admit nonimmigrant students.

Admissions officers are available weekdays, Saturdays, and by appointment. An appointment for an admissions interview or a tour of the campus should be made in advance. For additional information, all prospective students should contact: