South University

The University

South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, and professional development of a diverse student population. To achieve this, the Savannah campus offers focused and balanced curricula at the associate and bachelor's degree level including, but not limited to, the areas of business, medical assisting, nursing, RN to B.S.N. and RN to M.S.N. nursing degree completion, criminal justice, information technology, and psychology. The University also offers master's degree programs in anesthesiology assistant studies, physician assistant studies, and healthcare administration. In addition, the campus offers a Master of Arts in professional counseling; a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and Master of Business administration in healthcare administration, both in traditional and twelve-month accelerated programs; and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree through its School of Pharmacy--one of only three programs in the state of Georgia and the only one in the state that is currently available in an accelerated three-year format. South University is the first university or college in Savannah to offer a health professions doctoral degree program.

South University traces its heritage back to 1899 and today has grown into a multicampus system with locations in Columbia, South Carolina; Montgomery, Alabama; Novi, Michigan; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia; and Tampa and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Students can also pursue degrees through a combination of on-campus and online classes as part of the University's unique Plus+ program, which provides maximum scheduling flexibility. This flexibility allows students to organize their college education around work and family commitments. For those who choose to take on-site courses, Savannah campus facilities and amenities include a bookstore, student lounges, a career services center, wireless Internet access, and ample parking in addition to classrooms and offices.

The cornerstone of the Savannah campus is the School of Pharmacy building, which joins the College of Business and College of Health Professions buildings. The University strives to maintain small class sizes that permit students to receive individualized instruction and interaction with faculty and staff members.

The Savannah campus of South University has a diverse student body enrolled in day, evening, and weekend classes. Undergraduate students are primarily commuters who live within 60 miles of the city. Graduate students come from all of the United States and as far away as California and Alaska. They include men and women who have enrolled directly after completing high school, who have transferred from another college or university, or who have experience in the workforce and are pursuing an education that will prepare them to grow in their current position or enable them to take a new professional direction. The University offers a school-sponsored housing option in conjunction with local apartment communities for students who are relocating to Savannah to pursue their degrees.

South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The Commission on Colleges can be contacted at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033; phone: 404-679-4500; for questions regarding the accreditation of South University. The Savannah campus is also authorized under the Georgia Non-public Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990 to confer those degrees. In addition, the campus is approved for training military veterans and other individuals by the State of Georgia Department of Veterans' Services, State Approving Agency, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Certain programs offered at the Savannah campus have earned programmatic accreditation. The South University Associate of Science degree in medical assisting is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (http://www.caahep.org) on recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMEA). The Associate of Science in physical therapist assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; phone: 703-684-2782; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org; Web site: http://www.capteonline.org.

South University's Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, 20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500, Chicago, Illinois 60602-5109; phone: 312-664-3575; fax: 312-664-4652; Web site: http://www.acpeaccredit.org. The school is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).

The anesthesiologist assistant program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) through its Accreditation Review Committee for Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs (ARC-AA). Contact ARC-AA in care of CAAHEP, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, Illinois 60601; 312-553-9355. The Master of Science in physician assistant studies program on the Savannah campus is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistant Programs (ARC-PA), 1000 North Oak Avenue, Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449-5788; phone: 715-389-3785; or 12000 Findley Road, Suite 240, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097; phone: 770-476-1224; fax: 770-476-1738; Web site: http://www.arc-pa.org. This accreditation status qualifies graduating students to take the national certifying examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). The physician assistant studies program is a member of the Association of Physician Assistants Programs, the national organization representing physician assistant education programs. 

Location

This campus, the largest among South University's locations, is located in the midtown section of historic Savannah, Georgia, minutes from downtown, cultural activities, and the beach. The buildings are situated on 9 acres of land and are easily accessible from any section of Savannah, the surrounding region, and coastal South Carolina.

Majors and Degrees

The Savannah campus of South University awards the following two-year degrees: Associate of Science in criminal justice, Associate of Science in business administration, Associate of Science in information technology, Associate of Science in medical assisting, and Associate of Science in physical therapist assisting.

Four-year degree programs include a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, Bachelor of Science in healthcare management, Bachelor of Science in information technology, and Bachelor of Arts in psychology.

Academic Programs

The Savannah campus of South University offers degree programs that are designed to meet the needs and objectives of students. Each curriculum combines classroom 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.

South University operates on a quarter system, with each quarter comprising eleven weeks. Associate degree programs require a minimum of eight quarters to complete, and bachelor's degree programs require a minimum of twelve quarters for completion. Undergraduate programs are offered on a year-round basis, providing students with the ability to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

Academic Facilities

The Savannah campus library has a large collection that includes an extensive law and health professions library. Students may retrieve periodicals in paper or electronic form. Library-based computers provide access to several commercial online services, including Westlaw, the computerized legal research service; GALILEO, the Georgia network of databases; and MEDLINE, for health sciences students. CD-ROM resources include the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, ADAM, and the EBSCO magazine full-text database. Internet access is available on all computers throughout the campus, and the University offers wireless Internet access through an on-campus Wi-Fi network.

Costs

Tuition information is available by contacting the South University Admissions Department.

Financial Aid

South University's Student Financial Services Office 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 Loan Program (subsidized and unsubsidized), and Federal PLUS Loan Program. Qualified students may apply for the Georgia HOPE Scholarship, Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant, Georgia LEAP Grant Program, and veterans' educational benefits. Students are also encouraged to investigate the availability of grants and scholarships through community resources.

Faculty

The South University faculty includes individuals of high academic distinction. Of the more than 80 instructors on the Savannah campus, 40 percent hold terminal degrees. 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 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 advisers.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to South University, prospective students must be high school graduates or hold a GED certificate and submit an appropriate SAT or ACT score (students should contact the Admissions Office) or a satisfactory score on the University-administered placement examination. Students who wish to transfer must meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.

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

Applicants not meeting the testing standards for general admission may be accepted under academic support admission.

Application and Information

Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with the general application fee as well as official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended. Faxed documents are not considered official. 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 educational 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 Savannah 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 tour of the campus should be made in advance. For additional information, all prospective students should contact:

South University, Savannah

709 Mall Boulevard

Savannah, Georgia 31406-4805

United States

Phone: 912-201-8000

866-629-2901 (toll-free)

Fax: 912-201-8070

Website: http://www.southuniversity.edu

See https://www.southuniversity.edu/programs-info for program duration; tuition, fees, and other costs; median debt; federal salary data; alumni success; and other important information.

Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options are subject to change. 709 Mall Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31406-4805 ©2014 South University. The email address is csprogramadmin@edmc.edu.