For information regarding Conditional Acceptance, click here.
General Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
To be admitted to any of the undergraduate programs at South University, the prospective student must provide proof of high school graduation as recognized by the state of residence on the date the degree was earned, or the equivalent in which a diploma was earned, with a minimum CGPA of 1.5 on a 4.0 scale within 14 calendar days of the start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). Students providing a GED must meet the minimum required test score deemed as passing in each section as required at the time of testing.
South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation. Credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service. Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.
Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 1.49 on a 4.0 scale may meet admissions requirements by submitting a minimum combined SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) score of 700 or 900 on the SAT requiring an essay portion, a combined ACT score of 18, or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.
Students with a CGPA between 1.49 to 1.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 CGPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal. Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.
Students with less than a 1.0 on a 4.0 scale do not meet the admissions requirements for South University.
Acceptable verification of high school graduation or the equivalent would include a high school transcript (official), or GED scores and state-authorized examination scores (ex. HiSET, TASC). In states that maintain a database that serves as an official registry of high school and GED graduates, an excerpt from the official database documenting the student's graduation or GED completion may be used.
Campuses in South Carolina must be provided with official high school transcripts or GED scores.
Please see the policy on GPA Calculation for Admission for additional information
Admission of Transfer Students
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
To be eligible for admission, transfer students must complete the application procedures and satisfy the following criteria:
- Submit a completed application for admission.
- Have earned 24 or more credit hours, or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 1.5 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution.
- Submit official transcripts (including verifiable faxed transcripts) from all colleges and universities attended.
- Submit self-certification of high school graduation or GED completion.
For transfer of credit practices refer to the applicable section under the Academic Affairs section of this catalog.
To be admitted as a Transfer student into South University the prospective student must have earned 24 or more quarter credit hours or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 1.5 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution. Official transcripts from the collegiate institution(s) and must be received within 14 calendar days for Undergraduate programs of the start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). The student will be exempted from taking the UVC1000 Strategies for Success course. Students will select another 4-quarter credit course in consultation with their Academic Advisor or Academic Counselor to fulfill the degree requirements.
Students with 24 or more quarter credits with a CGPA of between 1.49 to 1.0 may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 GPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal. Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.
Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States should refer to the section entitled International Student Admissions Policy.
Students who are transferring from or to a school within the University of North Carolina or the North Carolina Community College System should be aware of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement approved by both governing Boards on March 1, 1996 and revised in September of 2008. This agreement may be found in its entirety at the following website.
For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.
Offered at Online Programs.
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
The Bachelor of Science in Accounting at South University is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in corporate and/or public accounting. Students should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the State Board of Accountancy in the particular state in which they wish to take the exam. South University does not guarantee third-party
certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to South University. Our Bachelor of Science in Accounting is not designed to lead to licensure, including the CPA examination.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Students will integrate accounting and financial knowledge in support of ethical and legal business decision-making.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in accounting standards, financial statement preparation, auditing functions, budgeting, and taxation. In addition, the program seeks to support students in reaching career goals and certifications with a 50.0% or better success rate.
- Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, their understanding of and solutions for common business problems.
Students will apply quantitative analysis and critical thinking to accounting and finance organizational processes.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting: 180 Credits
Area I General Education Requirements: 48 Credits
Professional Development
Quarter Credits : 4
This course equips students with the essential tools for success in both academic and professional environments. Through the identification of academic resources and the development of resiliency skills, students will gain strategies to overcome challenges and achieve long-term goals. The course also highlights the role of critical thinking as a cornerstone for decision-making and goal attainment, preparing students to navigate complex academic and professional landscapes with confidence and integrity.
Quarter Credits : 4
Basic Communications
Students will be introduced to college-level writing processes, particularly planning, writing, and revising essays. Emphasis will be placed on refining individual skills, exploring types of essays, developing effective writing styles, voices, and procedures, and gaining insight on personal growth as a writer. A minimum grade of C is required to pass this course.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Choose one additional course from the list below:
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Mathematics and Statistics
The course is designed to develop the concepts needed for College Algebra II using graphs and applications to motivate students and provide real-world examples. The course covers the solution of systems of linear equations, exponents and polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, functions, and quadratic equations.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Statistics provides students with lecture and extensive practice in the concepts of descriptive and inferential statistics. The course emphasizes practical calculation and application. It begins with sample statistics and population parameters, proceeds to measures of central tendency, dispersion, and position, introduces the least-squares best-fit line and several key probability distributions, and concludes with the sampling distribution of sampling means, and hypothesis testing. MyStatLab or a comparable resource may be required in the course.
Quarter Credits : 4
Natural Sciences (choose one)
Principles of Biology I is the first in a two-course sequence in biology. The course introduces scientific methods, biological chemistry, cells, energy for life, basic genetics, biotechnology, and the principles of evolution. Students will also complete writing assignments that develop their skills as scientifically literate citizens.
Quarter Credits : 4
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to fundamental chemistry concepts and their applications. Students will explore essential terminology, the scientific method, and atomic structure, while learning to how to classify matter, and identify acids, bases, and salts. Students will gain a solid foundation in chemistry, preparing them for further scientific studies.
Quarter Credits : 4
Arts and Humanities: Choose one 4.0 credit course.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Area II Foundation Requirements 36 Credits
ACC1001 is the first accounting course of a three-course sequence focusing on how stakeholders rely upon accounting information to assist them in their decision-making activities. This course introduces accounting as the "language of business" the tool used to communicate the effects of an organization's business activities on its income, financial position, and cash flows. The course provides an overview of the financial accounting system, including the role of accounting in business; the format, content, and use of financial statements; the impact of transactions on the financial statements; and the regulatory environment of accounting.
Quarter Credits : 4
ACC1002 is the second accounting course in a three-course sequence examining how stakeholders use accounting information to support decision-making activities. It continues the study of the financial accounting system, including the time value of money and the impact of financing, investing, and operating activities on a firm's earnings, financial position, and cash flows. The course also introduces managerial accounting systems as essential tools for managerial decision-making and presents various cost concepts, emphasizing that different costs serve different purposes.
Quarter Credits : 4
ACC1003 is the third accounting course in a three-course sequence examining the use of accounting information to support decision-making activities. It continues the study of managerial accounting, with an emphasis on product costing through traditional and activity-based approaches, the application of cost-based information in decision-making, the use of budgeting to achieve organizational objectives, traditional and contemporary performance management methods for responsibility centers, and capital budgeting.
Quarter Credits : 4
Business Law I provides a foundation of the U.S. legal system and its interrelationship to business and ethics the legal and ethical considerations of business operations. Topics include the legal environment, operation of the legal system, completion of contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law, and intellectual property.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
This course is designed to prepare students to organize and compose effective business correspondence and operations. Focus will be on various types of business communication encountered in management functions, including creating documents, preparing presentations, managing meetings, providing leadership, and building teams. The course will address both internal and external organizational communications as well as professional career preparation.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Area III Major Requirements: 96 Credits
This course provides students with an integrated view of business processes/cycles, information processes, and accounting procedures. Topics include how business and information processes impact business strategy.
Quarter Credits : 4
This course explores Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) associated with preparing and reporting a corporation's balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows. Topics may include the regulatory environment surrounding financial accounting, measurement and reporting of balance sheet assets, and fundamental revenue and expense recognition principles.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
The course presents a comprehensive study of advanced legal topics in commercial transactions for students interested in pursuing careers in accounting or other professions, which require detailed understanding of business law concepts. Topics covered include types of business organizations, securities regulations, sales, negotiable instruments, secured transactions, bankruptcy, insurance, accountants' liability and employment law.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
This capstone course is intended to integrate subject matter from more specialized business courses and related areas of study to help students develop conceptual skills needed in management. Major topics include the development of organizational strategy, decision making within a strategic framework, the planning process, formulation of objectives and policies, and the management of change. Use of the case method will draw significantly on students' prior management study and experience. Students will review business concepts for all areas of the business curriculum and demonstrate proficiency in the common professional components required of effective business managers and leaders through a standardized business test.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Elective Pool 32 Credits
Suggested Electives:
This course is designed to provide students with a sound conceptual understanding of the role that quantitative analysis plays in the decision-making process. It emphasizes the application of a variety of techniques to the solution of business and economic problems to help students become effective users and evaluators of quantitative and qualitative information in making decisions.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4