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:

1. Submit a completed application for admission.
2. 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.
3. Submit official transcripts (including verifiable faxed transcripts) from all colleges and universities attended.
4. 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. 

General Entry into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

Admission into the BSN degree program is a two step process:

• Students interested in pursuing the BSN degree are eligible for general entry to the Bachelor Science in Nursing Program by meeting requirements for entry into South University.
• Students must meet all prerequisite requirements to be considered for admission to the professional phase of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Admission to the Professional Phase of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The criteria used to determine admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program include:

• Completion of the application for admission.
• Completion of 90 quarter hours (QH) of science and general education courses as required for admission to BSN degree program with a grade of C or better. Science courses are not accepted if the courses are older than 7 years at the start date of the professional phase of the program. This includes science courses taken at South University and transfer credits from outside institutions.
• A cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale in the nursing pre-requisite courses. Note: South University, Columbia requires a 3.0 or better.
• A GPA of 2.75 or better in the following science courses: BIO1011 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO1012 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab; BO1013 Anatomy and Physiology II and BIO1014 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab; BIO2070 Microbiology and BIO2073 Microbiology Laboratory; CHM1010 General Chemistry; BIO2015 Human Pathophysiology.  Note: South University, Columbia requires a 3.0 or better.
• A grade of "C" or better in all general education courses.
• Entrance test results (TEAS test only – see Assessment Through Standardized Testing section for detailed information).
• A completed, approved Level I and Level II background check.
• Completed application for admission to the BSN degree program form.
• Official transcripts from every college or university attended, including courses taken at South University.
• Meet the Core Performance Standards and essential functions related to the profession of nursing as described in this catalog.
• Completion of prerequisites courses at South University will be considered in the ranking process.

Provisional admission may be granted if the student is completing prerequisites in the term before matriculation into the nursing program. On the day of matriculation into the nursing, the student must meet the admission criteria as outlined above. Failure to meet requirements of admission will result in rescinding the provisional admission status.

Acceptance into the Professional Phase of the Bachelor of Science Nursing

Upon acceptance into the Nursing Program, the student must submit:

• Completed current physical examination record with required immunizations, titers, lab results, and tuberculosis assessment.
• Urine drug screen
• Evidence of health insurance

Pre-Licensure (BSN) Laptop Computer Requirement

Laptop computers are required for use in testing. All students are required to have a laptop computer with Internet access that meets university specifications.

Comprehensive Background Check

Please see the General Admissions Policies section here. 

Acceptance into a South University educational program, or it's completion, does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain licensure or certification.

The Nursing Program Director may be required to submit written documentation regarding the student status to boards of nursing and clinical agencies as early as receipt of the student's CONPH application. Students may be required to obtain additional background checks as requested by clinical agencies or boards of nursing.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Entrance to the Physician Assistant (PA) program is gained through a formal application review and interview. Application to the program is made through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA).  Applicants must specifically designate the South University campus(es) to which their application should be submitted within the CASPA system. Additional, campus-specific information regarding the application process can be obtained through the PA program web site or by calling the respective campus:

• (512) 516-8800 (Austin)
• (804) 727-6894 (Richmond)
• (912) 201-8025 (Savannah)
• (813) 393-3720 (Tampa)
• (561) 273-6520 (West Palm Beach)

Individuals whose applications are deemed competitive will be invited for a required interview. All programs utilize a rolling admissions process in which applicants are notified of their admission decision within 2 weeks after interviewing. Not all qualified applicants will receive an interview.

The application process includes submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Applicants must specifically designate the South University code for each applicable campus to which their GRE scores should be submitted electronically to CASPA directly from ETS (Educational Testing Service):

• 0174(Austin)
• 7147 (Richmond)
• 0467 (Savannah)
• 0454 (Tampa)
• 7108 (West Palm Beach)

Applications must be completed and verified in the CASPA application portal. Submission deadlines vary by campus. Please refer to the individual program’s website for further details.

Applicants who are offered a seat into the Physician Assistant program are only permitted to reserve a seat at one campus. Within 14 calendar days of the applicant signing and submitting the acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the applicant to notify any other South University Physician Assistant program(s) of the applicant's intent to withdraw. Seat acceptance fees are non-transferable to other South University programs.

Note: Applicants should refer to the Physician Assistant Program policy on Acceptance Fee for more details.

Admission Criteria

Selection for the Physician Assistant program is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview or admission. Successful applicants will generally exceed the minimum criteria. The following criteria represent the minimum conditions established for applicants interested in applying to the South University Physician Assistant Master of Science degree programs:

• Applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution by August 1^st of the admissions cycle.
• Applicants must have an overall GPA as calculated by the CASPA service of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) (including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate coursework)
• Applicants should have a Biology-Chemistry-Physics (BCP) science GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as calculated by the CASPA service.
• Applicants submit scores from the GRE general exam directly to the CASPA service for the designated South University campus(es) to which they are applying.
• At least three (3) letters of reference as part of the CASPA application must be submitted. At least one letter must be from a physician (MD/DO), Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner with whom the applicant has worked or shadowed and to whom the applicant is not related. Impressive, well- articulated, and unequivocal letters attesting to the applicant’s motivation, communication and interpersonal skills, professionalism, and future contribution towards health care are considered competitive. Applicants with letters of reference from licensed medical providers (e.g., MD, DO, NP, PA) are considered to be more competitive.

Pre-requisite Courses

Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses listed below with a grade of C or better at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university prior to submission of their application. The PA program accepts prerequisite coursework completed in an online, virtual, or campus-based format from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

Coursework which is designed for science majors is generally considered more competitive. In general, prerequisite coursework with titles that include “Essentials of,” “Survey of,” or “Introduction to,” unless specifically designed for science majors, are considered less competitive.

Basic science courses should be those for science majors. The General Biology and Biochemistry courses are recommended to include a lab, but it is not required.

Only courses (excluding General Biology, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry) with an associated lab will be given credit for fulfilling prerequisite requirements. In the event that a laboratory is not offered with a prerequisite course, applicants may request the lab requirement for that course be waived by contacting the program. Lab waivers and/or course substitutions are granted at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Applicants requesting such should be prepared to submit supporting documents, including, but not limited to, course descriptions and syllabi.

The South University Physician Assistant program accepts credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit towards completion of the respective prerequisite subject. Grades earned in AP courses are not used in the calculation of the applicant’s overall or prerequisite GPA.

The South University Physician Assistant program does not accept College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit for any prerequisite requirements.

Please refer to the Transfer of Credit Policy for additional information. All students must complete each course in the South University Physician Assistant curriculum.

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program Technical Standards

To ensure that patients receive the best possible care, the faculty of the South University Physician Assistant (PA) program has identified essential skills and professional behaviors required for successful progression in the program and future practice as a physician assistant.

Students with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities who can perform these skills and behaviors, either independently, with dependable use of assistive devices, or by employing other reasonable accommodations, are eligible to apply for enrollment in the program. The program is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards while ensuring that all students are able to meet the required competencies for safe and effective patient care.

These technical standards require that each student possess the physical, mental, and emotional health necessary to fully engage in both the academic and clinical training environment. Minimum performance expectations include the ability to demonstrate accurate observation, effective communication, sufficient motor and physical function, intellectual and cognitive abilities, and appropriate behavioral and social attributes.  

Students must meet the following technical standards:

1. Observation

• Accurately perceive information through vision, hearing, touch, and other somatic senses.
• Gather information from demonstrations, patient encounters, diagnostic tests, and clinical instruments.
• Detect nonverbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and affect, both at a distance and close range.

2. Communication

• Communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form with compassion and sensitivity.
• Engage in professional interactions with patients, families, faculty, peers, and healthcare teams.
• Document, interpret, and convey medical information accurately and efficiently.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to nonverbal communication and feedback

3. Motor and Physical Function

• Perform physical examination techniques such as palpation, auscultation, percussion, and diagnostic maneuvers.
• Execute essential motor tasks required for medical practice, including performing physical examinations, assisting with patient positioning for procedures, carrying out clinical and emergency interventions, and delivering routine patient care safely and effectively.
• Manipulate medical equipment, instruments, and technology with both fine and gross motor skills.
• Maintain physical stamina to meet the rigors of classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings (including long hours, varied shifts, and high patient care demands).

4. Intellectual and Cognitive Abilities

• Demonstrate skills in measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis.
• Integrate and apply information from lectures, simulations, patient encounters, and medical literature.
• Problem-solve efficiently in complex and dynamic clinical situations.
• Comprehend spatial and three-dimensional relationships essential for anatomy, imaging, and procedures.

5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

• Possess the emotional health and stability required for sound judgment, safe clinical decision-making, and effective patient care.
• Demonstrate integrity, compassion, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all academic, clinical, and community settings.
• Develop professional, respectful, and collaborative relationships maintaining appropriate boundaries with all patients, families, faculty, staff, and colleagues.
• Meet all professional and academic responsibilities in a timely and reliable manner, including attendance, preparation, participation, and follow-through on assignments and clinical duties.
• Exercise good judgment and self-control in both routine and stressful situations, avoiding behaviors that are disruptive, unsafe, or unprofessional.
• Adapt to stressful, changing, or uncertain environments while maintaining appropriate coping skills and a professional demeanor.
• Accept, integrate, and act upon constructive feedback to promote ongoing personal and professional growth.

Clinical Experience

Clinical experiences should provide the applicant with a knowledge of and orientation to the presentation, signs, and symptoms of a variety of ill or injured patients. Although clinical experience is not required, preference is given to applicants who have direct patient care experience (i.e., care that involves personal interaction with patients such as: physical therapist, respiratory therapist, emergency medical technician/paramedic, nurse, medical assistant, certified nursing assistant, or other similar professions). However, there is no requirement for a predetermined number of hours (or months) of health care experience to be earned by an applicant.

Admissions Committee Selection Factors

Applicants for admission are considered using multiple selection factors. Applicants are awarded preference based upon the following:

• Academic achievement (overall GPA, BCP, GRE)
  • For overall GPA, BCP, and GRE preferences, please refer to the respective program’s website.
• Quality of letters of reference from medical providers (e.g., MD, DO, NP, PA)
• Clinical experience that requires direct patient care
• Personal statement/essay.
• Healthcare provider mentorship/shadowing experiences.
• Community service
• Interview performance

Evidence of an applicant’s interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, knowledge of the PA profession and the health care system with an alignment to the mission and vision of the program are assessed by the Admissions Committee in awarding preference.

Post-Acceptance Requirements

Accepted applicants will be required to complete the following items in order to obtain approval for matriculation in January:

• Satisfactory Criminal Background and Drug Screen Report
• Health/ Immunization Requirements
• Personal Health Insurance Documentation
• Baccalaureate Diploma Verification
• American Heart Association (AHA) Approved Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
• FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submission for those applying for financial aid
• There is a $1000 acceptance fee, which is non-refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Austin, South University, Savannah, South University, Tampa and South University, West Palm Beach. There is a $1000 acceptance fee, $900 of which is refundable, for those applicants accepted into the Physician Assistant program at South University, Richmond. Acceptance fees are applied towards tuition.

Applicants seeking admissions to the Physician Assistant program must abide by the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy and Substance Abuse and Screening Policy. Acceptance into a South University program or its completion does not guarantee that a student will be able to obtain subsequent licensure or certification.

All Physician Assistant program students are responsible for meeting matriculation deadlines and requirements as published within the campus-specific Enrollment Guide.

Clinical Experiential Learning and Travel Policy:

All students may be required to travel/commute and/or relocate for any given clinical rotation.  While many rotations are located within a commutable distance from the program, students may be assigned to clinical rotation sites outside the local campus geographical area and should anticipate the need to travel or temporarily relocate for those assigned rotations. Students are responsible for all costs associated with travel, transportation, housing, credentialing, and living expenses during the clinical year. These expenses will vary based on the location of each clinical rotation site.  Please refer to the program website for further details on clinical travel.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

The criteria used to determine admission to the RN to BSN degree program include: 

• Completion of the application for admission.
• Satisfy one of the following:
  • Earned an associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution,
  • have an equivalent accredited associated degree in nursing from a foreign institution, or
  • hold a nursing diploma AND a bachelors degree from an accredited institution
• A cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better on a 4.00 scale.
• Submission of official transcripts from every college or university attended within 5 weeks after the initial start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).
• A valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments for the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure). Note:  An unencumbered license(s) must be maintained throughout the program. 

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

In addition to general admission to the University, students should be able to meet the following technical standards for the Medical Assisting Program. 

1. Background Check:
   Students must complete a background check at their own expense using the agency identified by the MA Program Director. No other background checks will be accepted. The background check must be completed at least three weeks prior to the intended start date of the first MA Practicum clinical placement. Students with a positive background check will not be allowed to start AHS2098 Medical Assisting Practicum and will be referred to the MA Progression Committee. The MA program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy and Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Applicants are not eligible for admittance into any portion of the MA program if they have a felony conviction, plea, or adjudication withheld, or any disqualifying misdemeanor, for which a pardon or exemption for disqualification has not been received, including but not limited to rape or sexual abuse or molestation, and abuse, endangerment, or neglect of a child, disabled person, or elderly person.
2. Drug Screen:
   Students must complete drug screen at their own expense using the agency identified by the MA Program Director. No other drug screens will be accepted. The screen must be completed at least three weeks prior to the intended start date of the first MA Practicum clinical placement. Students with a positive drug screen will not be allowed to start the MA Practicum and will be referred to the MA Progression Committee. The MA program follows the College of Health Professions Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog (http://www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog).
3. Technical Standards:
   Students must meet the technical standards, which describe the physical abilities and behavioral characteristics required of students for full participation and successful completion of the MA program, as well as to function as a fully qualified medical assistant after graduation. Prospective MA students should review these standards and determine if they have any limitations that may interfere with their ability to satisfy any of these requirements.

The technical standards are: 

• Sensory
  Medical Assisting students must be able to read charts, graphs, instrument scales and medication orders, prepare and maintain medical records, and use their senses of hearing and touch to recognize emergencies and to assess the patient's physical condition.
• Communication
  The Medical Assisting student must be able to read and write effectively in order to transmit information to all members of the healthcare team. The student must also be able to assess nonverbal communication and respond appropriately.
  Additional requirements include the ability to interview and record patient histories, provide patient care instructions, use correct telephone technique, collect, prioritize and convey information.
• Fine Motor Skills
  The Medical Assisting student must manifest all the fine motor skills necessary to safely and accurately use medical instruments and perform diagnostic and clinical procedures (e.g. obtaining the patient's blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, drawing blood and administering non-intravenous injections). The student must be able to perform basic secretarial skills, including using a keyboard and the operation of common office equipment. 
• Gross Motor Skills
  The Medical Assisting student must be able to support patients when ambulating, assist patients in and out of a wheelchair, and on and off an examination table. Students must be able to reach equipment and supplies and respond appropriately to emergency situations in a timely manner.
• Psychological Stability
  The Medical Assisting student must demonstrate the ability to handle difficult interpersonal situations in a calm and tactful manner. The student must also be able to maintain a composed, competent, and confident demeanor during emergency situations.

MA Clinical Practicum Policies 

1. Proof of Immunization:
   MA students are required to provide evidence of the initiation or completion of the Hepatitis B immunization series and current flu shot. The student must upload all original lab results and evidence of immunization through the background screening and compliance tracking agency identified by the MA Program at least three weeks prior to the intended start date of AHS2098 Medical Assisting Practicum. Additional vaccinations may be required by clinical sites. All associated fees are the responsibility of the student.
2. CPR/ First Aid and Physical Exam:
   Students must provide verification of a health care provider level CPR/First Aid certification at their own expense prior to the start of the AHS2098 Medical Assisting Practicum clinical courses in the technical phase of the MA program. A Physical Exam and tuberculosis assessment may be required by some clinical sites prior to the MA Practicum. All associated fees are the responsibility of the student.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.