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, Orlando, 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 Public Health degree program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills required of a public health professional and advocate for population health. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad general education, strong foundation in the human health and disease sciences, and core areas of public health. The curriculum aligns with the competencies expected of a public health practitioner by providing courses in health communication, health disparities, legal and ethical issues, management of public health systems, and policy and research. Students develop the ability to apply core concepts to assess the health needs of diverse populations at the local, national and international levels, plan and evaluate programs, and communicate and advocate health promotion. Graduates are prepared to contribute to delivery of the essential services of public health in health agencies at the government or community-based level and in the private sector, continue to learn throughout their professional careers, and to pursue graduate study in public health and the health sciences.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Compare governmental and non-governmental healthcare systems and public health initiatives in the United States and globally.
- Explain the philosophy and essential services of public health at the local, state, national and global level.
- Demonstrate an understanding of health disparities and determinants of health in both healthcare settings and the community.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply, evaluate and synthesize public health information including evidence-based practice and approaches.
- Formulate approaches to planning, assessing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs
Bachelor of Science in Public Health: 182 Credits
Area I General Education Requirements: 68 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
Arts and Humanities: Choose three 4.0 credit course.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Area II Major Foundation Requirements: 16 Credits
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
This course surveys the principles necessary to promote optimum nutrition throughout the life cycle. Consideration is given to informed evaluation of areas of controversy, as well as influence of socioeconomic and culture on nutritional practices.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Area III Major Requirements: 98 Credits
Core
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
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
This course introduces the history and development of epidemiology in healthcare with a focus on disease identification and control. A special section is devoted to the detection and response to bioterrorism and pandemics.
Quarter Credits : 4
This course introduces basic concepts, strategies and methods of health promotion and disease prevention. It reviews the major issues and trends impacting the field of health promotion and wellness within the context of public health, and provides a broad overview of policy formation planning, implementation and evaluation.
Quarter Credits : 4
This course explores the organization and delivery of emergency and disaster management services, from local first responders, to hospital emergency rooms to state and federal emergency and disaster relief.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
This course presents an overview of the public policy facing the health care industry. The course provides students with a basic working knowledge of health policy with a comprehensive review of a wide variety of policy making, policy analysis, economic, and insurance issues.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
This course explores the basic concepts and theories relating to health program planning and program evaluation. Topics may include community health assessment, program theory, and program implementation and evaluation.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Elective Pool (16 credits):
Choose four courses from the suggested electives:
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
This course reviews and compares traditional medicine to complementary or alternative health measures. Examination of current trends will focus on the business practices and practitioners involved in these alternative healing therapies. Various types of Alternative and Complementary medicine will be evaluated based on scientific research, including Systematized Practices, such as traditional Chinese and Ayurveda medicine; Botanical Healing, such as herbs, nutritional supplements and homeopathy; Manual Healing Methods, including chiropractic, massage, and pressure point therapies; and Mind-Body Techniques, such as yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback.
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4
Quarter Credits : 4