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 Austin, Columbia, Montgomery, Online Programs, Richmond, Savannah, Tampa, Virginia Beach, and West Palm Beach
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 Criminal Justice program is designed to provide students with a broad perspective on the causes of crime and critical insights into the theoretical foundations and functions of the criminal justice system. Within this framework, students will demonstrate a working knowledge of criminal justice theory and practice, including proficiency in ethical communication and research skills appropriate to the field.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Utilize theoretical and applied criminal justice approaches to effectively solve a variety of field-based problems.
Recognize the causes of crime and delinquency.
Students will communicate accounting and financial proposals to common business operations through written and oral communication.
Utilize research methodology for scientific reasoning to the study of crime and justice.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: 180 Credits
Area I General Education Requirements: 64 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
Professional Communication for Diverse Populations will explore the complexities of intercultural communication by exploring obstacles affecting intercultural communication, understanding the relationship between communication and various cultures, comparing intercultural communication dynamics, and learning about communication theories and models in diverse contexts. Additionally, students will develop ethical and culturally competent communication skills to engage effectively in our interconnected world.
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
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
Choose one additional course from the list below:
Quarter Credits : 4
College Mathematics covers the fundamentals of several areas of mathematics, including set theory, logic, geometry, graph theory, probability, and statistics. MyMathLab or a comparable resource may be used for lecture, homework and assessment assignment delivery.
Quarter Credits : 4
Natural Sciences (choose two)
This course explores environmental stewardship and policy, focusing on power structures and their impact on ecosystems. Students analyze how policies and individual actions affect public health and safety globally and locally. Students will also examine challenges to improving environmental outcomes and compare different solutions to ecological issues. By the end of the course, students will be able to engage in environmental discussions and contribute to sustainable solutions.
Quarter Credits : 4
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
Principles of Biology II is the second course in a two course sequence in biology. This course continues the study of human biology with the role of endocrine and nervous systems in homeostatic regulation. Other topics covered are human reproduction, development, evolution, and advanced genetics. Ecological concepts are also discussed. The student will complete writing assignments that serve to increase knowledge of the scientific literature.
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 courses.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Choose one additional course from the list below:
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
This course introduces students to the American Government. By examining the struggle for power-the participants, the stakes, the processes, and the institutional arenas — this course introduces the students to the political struggles that drive democracy.
Quarter Credits : 4
This course exposes the student to social problems in the United States and globally. Students will explore major social issues through a sociological lens. Topics include behavioral deviance, social inequality (race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class), global social problems, and sociological theories. Students will learn how these issues impact individuals and communities and gain insight into potential solutions through discussions and case studies.
Quarter Credits : 4
General Education Elective
Choose any two courses from General Education not fulfilled in the above categories:
Area II Foundation Requirements: 44 Credits
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
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
Elective Pool (eight courses or 32 credits)
Area III Major Requirements: 72 Credits
Core: 44 Credits
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
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Program Electives (choose six): 24 Credits
Courses may be selected from this list to apply to Area II Foundation Requirements.
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
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Capstone: 4 Credits
Quarter Credits : 4
Note(s):
Acceptance into a South University Criminal Justice program or its completion does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain employment in law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole or related fields. The student should contact the national, state or local agency/institution in which the student intends to gain employment for specific requirements and the application process.