Admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is a two-step process:

1. Candidates are eligible to enter the general education phase of the OTA program as “OTA students” by meeting South University’s General Undergraduate Admission Requirements.
2. Candidates must complete prerequisite coursework and meet all requirements outlined below to be eligible for admission to the professional phase of the OTA program.

Students may transfer prerequisite courses into the program before entering the professional phase if approved by the registrar. The coursework that is transferred to South University must permit the student to obtain a 2.85 CGPA by the time the student applies for admission into the OTA professional phase. Students who transfer coursework into South University but cannot mathematically attain a CGPA of 2.85 by the time they would enter the professional phase will not be admitted to the OTA program.

Transfer credit will not be accepted for South University courses with an OTA prefix.

Note: This policy does not apply to South University OTA students (in good standing) transferring between campuses.

Admission Requirements for the Professional Phase of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Applicants must apply for admission into the professional phase of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. Applicants must submit a complete application packet and meet all admission requirements as stated below to enter the ranking process. The professional phase slots will be filled by applicants with the greatest academic potential for success as determined by the ranking process. Applicants with the highest numerical ranking will be admitted to the professional phase of the program.

The criteria to determine admission to the OTA program include:

1. Application must be submitted seven (7) weeks prior to the start of the professional phase of the program.
2. Applicants must meet the Essential Functions of the OTA program.
3. Applicants must have a minimum grade of 'C' or above in all prerequisites, except for the following course, in which students must achieve a minimum grade of 'B' or above: OTA1003 Introduction to Occupational Therapy Assistant. (OTA1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy is an acceptable substitution.)
4. Applicants must achieve a minimum CGPA of 2.85 or greater in prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be successfully completed prior to entry into the Professional Phase of the OTA program.
5. Applicants must have successfully completed the following courses in the past seven years from the intended start date of the Professional Phase of the OTA program: Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology I (lecture and lab) and Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture and lab). Applicants must have successfully completed OTA1003 Introduction to Occupational Therapy Assistant in the past two years from the intended start of the Professional Phase of the OTA Program. (OTA1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy Assistant is an acceptable substitution.)
6. Applicants must have official transcripts on file at South University at the time of application to the Professional Phase of the OTA program. Applicants are responsible for requesting official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended and having them sent to South University. All associated fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
7. Applicants must complete and submit an OTA Application when applying for acceptance in the Professional Phase of the OTA program; this includes a signed Acknowledgement of Risk and Release of Liability form and Health Insurance Statement form.
8. Applicants must complete the OTA Video Observation Form and submit their responses with the OTA Application.
9. Applicants must complete a background check at their own cost using the background screening and compliance tracking agency identified in the OTA Application. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The OTA program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy and Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog. Applicants are not eligible for admittance into any portion of the OTA 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.
10. Applicants must complete a drug screen at their own cost using the background screening and compliance tracking agency identified in the OTA Application. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The OTA program follows the College of Health Professions Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog. Applicants with positive drug screen results will not be admitted into the OTA program. Applicants may be eligible to reapply to a future admissions cycle.
11. Applicants must provide proof of required immunizations as identified in the OTA Application. Evidence that the Hepatitis B immunization series has been initiated or the signed waiver declining the Hepatitis B immunization must be provided at the time of application and completed according to CDC guidelines. All other immunizations must be completed no later than one week prior to the first clinical rotation. The student must upload all original lab results and evidence of immunization through the background screening and compliance tracking agency identified in the OTA Application. All associated fees are the responsibility of the applicant. Failure to submit clinical experience vaccination requirements in a timely fashion will deem a student ineligible for fieldwork placement.
12. Applicants must show evidence of a physical exam by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant; results must be uploaded through the agency identified in the OTA Application. All associated fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
13. Applicants must be in good standing with South University. All requirements for Financial Aid must have been met, as applicable.
14. All OTA students are responsible for meeting matriculation deadlines and requirements as published within campus-specific Enrollment Guide.

Ranking of Applicants for Admission into the Professional OTA Curriculum will be based upon the following criteria: 

1. Cumulative GPA in required prerequisite coursework (2.85 or greater required).
2. Science GPA (2.0 or greater required). Science coursework will not be accepted if greater than 7 years old.
   1. AHS1001 Medical Terminology
   2. BIO1011 Anatomy and Physiology I
   3. BIO1012 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
   4. BIO1013 Anatomy and Physiology II
   5. BIO1014 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

NOTE:  If a qualified student is not accepted or if a student is unable to matriculate into the Professional OTA Curriculum, they may use that same application to apply into the next cohort on that same campus within one year from the date of application submission. After that time, the student must apply as a new student.

Essential Functions for the OTA Program

The following are considered to be essential functions related to the profession of occupational therapy to be successful in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program and in future employment as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

It is the responsibility of the OTA Program at South University to inform students considering a career as a COTA about the essential functions required both in the academic program and in the workforce. Factors and requirements will vary, depending on the specific area of practice and work setting.

Students must demonstrate safe and continuous application of these essential functions or of any and all others that are integral to the success of the OTA student and future occupational therapy practitioner. Students will display professional behaviors, assess their own performance with respect to the behaviors, and be ready to make behavioral changes as directed by academic and clinical faculty.  

In addition, the OTA Progressions Committee may become involved in issues related to a student's performance of the essential functions. The OTA Progressions Committee may make recommendations to the OTA Program Director that result in, but are not limited to, a lower course grade, the creation of a remediation plan, exclusion from a course, dismissal from a Level I or Level II Fieldwork experience, professional behavior probation or dismissal from the OTA program and/or South University.

Both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C.A. Section 794, and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination against "otherwise qualified" persons with a disability. South University provides accommodations to qualified students with disabilities.  The Disability Services office assists qualified students with disabilities in acquiring reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

All students must demonstrate competency in the following essential functions related to the profession of occupational therapy:

Behavioral/Emotional Functions 

Adaptation: The ability to respond with flexibility to change or difference.

Emotional Stability: The ability to control one's own emotions, differentiate between different emotions and identify each appropriately; use emotions to guide thinking and direct behavior.

Interpersonal Skills: The ability to interact effectively with others.

Safety: Maintain the well-being of others in compliance with policies and procedures.

Ethics: The ability to distinguish between right and wrong, to comply with authority and with policies and procedures.

Professional Behavior and Appearance: The ability to adjust behavior and appearance in response to given circumstances. 

Cognitive Functions 

Critical Thinking: The ability to define and resolve issues by asking questions, gathering and analyzing information.

Time Management: The ability to identify and prioritize tasks to be accomplished and maintain work pace appropriate to given work load.

Math, Reading Comprehension: The ability to apply basic math functions, calculate time and simple measurements; comprehend written words.

Perception: The ability to be aware of things in relation to others and to discriminate between those relationships.

Communication Functions 

Verbal: The ability to speak using the English language, clearly communicating and clarifying information.

Written: The ability to communicate legibly and concisely in English, using proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, style and formatting.

Listening, Comprehending, Responding: The ability to hear, understand and respond appropriately to what was communicated.

Sensory Functions 

Hearing: The auditory ability to detect sound within 10 feet away, sufficient to monitor clients and interact with others.

Touch:  The ability to come into physical contact with something and perceive that it is there.

Vision: The ability to look at and see something or someone close-up and from a distance greater than 20 feet, noting verbal and nonverbal postures or behaviors.

Physical Functions 

Fine motor dexterity: The ability to coordinate small muscle groups during movement, usually involving coordination between the hands, fingers and eyes to manipulate small objects.

Gross motor skills: The ability to coordinate large muscle groups to move and to stabilize the head, trunk, arms and legs to reach, lift, push, pull, stand, balance, walk, run, bend, kneel and crouch; possess minimum grip strength of 30 pounds in one or both hands, and the ability to stand up to 30 minutes at a time, push up to 250 pounds and lift/transfer up to 250 pounds.

Mobility:  The ability to independently move easily from point A to point B.

Endurance: The ability to exert self and remain active for a long period of time (e.g., 45 minutes); stamina.

Environmental Functions 

Working conditions: The ability to recognize, avoid and prevent safety and health hazards in the work setting.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at South University, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Tampa are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD  20814. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6211, and its web address is 
http://www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).  After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. More information on ACOTE may be obtained at 
http://www.acoteonline.org.

Admission into the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program is a two-step process: 

1. Candidates are eligible to enter the general education phase of the PTA program as “PTA students” by meeting South University’s General Undergraduate Admission Requirements.
2. Candidates must complete prerequisite coursework and meet all requirements outlined below to be eligible for admission to the professional phase of the PTA program.

Students may transfer prerequisite courses into the program before entering the professional phase if approved by the registrar. The coursework that is transferred to South University must permit the student to obtain a 2.75 CGPA by the time the student applies for admission into the PTA Professional Phase. Students who transfer coursework into South University, but cannot mathematically attain a CGPA of 2.75 by the time they would enter the professional phase, will not be admitted to the PTA program.  

Transfer credit will not be accepted for courses in the South University PTA Professional Phase Curriculum.

Note: This does not apply to South University PTA students (in good standing) transferring between campuses.

Students from South University who are in another major will be permitted to transfer into the general education phase of the PTA program if they meet all requirements as stated in the PTA Program Change Policy. Applicants must satisfy technical standards for the PTA program in order to be admitted.

Admission Requirements for the Professional Phase of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Applicants must apply for admission into the professional phase of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. South University’s PTA Program utilizes a rolling admissions process. This means applications are reviewed and admission decisions are made on an ongoing basis as completed applications are received. This allows qualified applicants to secure a place in the program earlier. Professional phase start dates are published on the program’s web page. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Applicants must submit a complete application packet through the designated digital application portal and meet all admission requirements as stated below 

1. Meet the Essential Functions and Technical Standards (listed in the application for admission and the program student handbook) of the program in order to enter the ranking process.
2. Complete a health screening, at their own cost, utilizing a program-specific physical exam form, verifying medical clearance.
3. Complete a background check at their own cost using the agency identified by the PTA Program Director. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The PTA program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Applicants are not eligible for admittance into the Professional Phase of the PTA 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.
4. Complete a drug screen at their own cost using the agency identified by the PTA Program Director. Applicants must meet timelines and requirements as detailed in the application packet. The PTA program follows the College of Health Professions Substance Abuse and Screening Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Applicants with positive drug screen results will not be admitted into Professional Phase of the PTA Program. Applicants may be eligible to reapply to a future admissions cycle (see PTA Program Director).
5. Complete 20 hours of observations of the practice of physical therapy and submit documentation on program-provided forms.
6. Achieve a 2.75 CGPA or greater in prerequisite coursework. All prerequisite coursework must be successfully completed prior to entry into the Professional Phase of the PTA Program.
7. Achieve a minimum grade of ‘C’ or better in all prerequisites.
8. The following science prerequisite courses must be completed within 7 years of the start date of the Professional Phase of the program.
   1. AHS1001 Medical Terminology
   2. BIO1011 Anatomy and Physiology I
   3. BIO1012 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
   4. BIO1013 Anatomy and Physiology II
   5. BIO1014 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
9. Submit ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores. Scores will not be accepted if greater than 5 years old. A score of “proficient” is preferred.

Rolling Admissions Procedures

1. Application Review and Ranking
   1. Applications will be reviewed continuously as they are received and up until 30 days before the start of the professional phase
   2. Qualified applicants who meet all requirements will be placed into the ranking process. Applicants must understand that seats are filled on a first come first serve basis, based upon ranking.
   3. Ranking will be based upon:
      •    Cumulative GPA in required prerequisite coursework (2.75 GPA or greater required). 
      •    Science prerequisite course GPA. 
      •    The ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) (score of “proficient” is preferred). 
      Note: Repeating a course to achieve a higher grade is associated with penalty point deductions from the ranking score.
2. Applicant Notification and Waitlist
   1. Applicants will be notified of their application status (accepted, waitlisted, or denied) via email within 30 calendar days after receipt of application. 
      • Accepted applicants will be provided a specific timeframe to accept their offer and. must have all required documentation completed before the start date of the professional phase.
      • Qualified applicants who are not immediately offered admission may be placed on a waitlist.
      • Waitlist applicants will be offered admission as seats become available. Waitlist status will be held until the start of the next professional phase start date.
      • While the applicant is on the waitlist, they are eligible to submit additional materials (e.g. updated transcripts, improved test scores) to improve their ranking for the current professional phase start date.
      • The number of students entering the professional phase is established in accordance with regulations set forth by the program’s accrediting body.
         

Post-Acceptance Requirements 

All accepted PTA applicants are responsible for meeting assigned deadlines for completion of post-acceptance requirements as published within the campus-specific PTA Enrollment Guide. Failure to submit the following post-acceptance requirements will deem a student, to begin the professional phase of the program.

Accepted PTA students must: 

1. Complete an American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification course and provide a copy of a valid certification/card. The certification/card must remain valid throughout all clinical rotations.
2. Submit proof of required immunizations as identified in the PTA Enrollment Guide through the compliance platform.
3. Submit a Level 2 background check (Florida students only). This must be performed at the student’s own cost, using the agency identified by the PTA Program Director.
4. Understand that additional drug screening, background checks, immunizations, tuberculosis screening, and/or medical clearance may be required by some clinical sites. All associated fees are the responsibility of the student.

Professional Standards for Physical Therapist Assistant Students

The following standards reflect expectations of a student in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program for the performance of common physical therapy functions. In adopting these standards, the PTA Program is mindful of the patient's right to safe function in a broad variety of clinical situations while receiving physical therapy interventions. The PTA student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations while administering physical therapy interventions. These standards do not encompass all that may be required for employment of the PTA Program graduate. In order to verify the students' ability to perform these essential functions, students are required to demonstrate the following technical standards throughout the curriculum.

The faculty is the sole judge of a student's ability to meet these standards through successful completion of the requirements of the program and individual courses. 

1. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills. Ability to collect, interpret and integrate information and use that information to make appropriate decisions.
2. Interpersonal Skills. Ability to collaboratively work with all PTA students and with program faculty and patients in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting.
3. Coping Skills. Ability to respond appropriately to stressful environments or during impending deadlines.
4. Communication Skills. Ability to communicate effectively in English using verbal, nonverbal and written formats with faculty, other students, patients, families, and healthcare workers.
5. Mobility/Motor Skills. Sufficient motor ability to execute the movement and skills required for safe and effective physical therapy treatment in various clinical settings.
6. Sensory Abilities. Sufficient visual, auditory, and tactile ability to monitor and assess health needs.
7. Behavioral Skills. Ability to demonstrate professional behaviors and a strong work ethic.

The Physical Therapist Assistant program fully supports the provision of reasonable accommodations to students with special needs. Program requirements will not be altered. Instead, it is the policy of South University to provide reasonable accommodations to students with special needs who request them so that they can meet the program requirements. It is the students' responsibility to contact the Dean of Student Affairs/Office of Disability Support Services with documentation to support their need for accommodations. Students are encouraged to contact the Dean of Student Affairs and/or Program Director as early as possible to discuss their particular situation.

Both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C.A. Section 794, and the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination against "otherwise qualified" persons with a disability. If an applicant can perform the Technical Standards listed above, the applicant is "otherwise qualified" under the law and must be treated the same as a person without a disability. A person who cannot perform the Technical Standards is not "otherwise qualified" and may be denied access to the program without discrimination.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Graduate Admissions - Masters level

Prospective students are required to submit the following: 

• Completion of application for admission
• Official transcripts for bachelor or graduate degree within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).  (All 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.

Note: See program notes and specific requirements below for each graduate - masters level degree program

• Completion of application for admission,
• An earned undergraduate degree from an acceptable accredited institution with a CGPA of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale or an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution. 

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

The criteria used in determining admissions to the Master of Public Health degree program include: 

• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.5 (on a scale of 4.0) OR
• An earned graduate degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicants must complete an undergraduate statistics course or equivalent (as approved by the Public Health Department Chair/Program Director) with a grade of "C" or better prior to admission to the Master of Public Health program.
• Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Application Process

South University has partnered with the Central Application Service for Anesthesiologist Assistant (CASAA) to collect and manage applications to each Anesthesiologist Assistant Program. To apply, please follow the instructions outlined below.

• Visit the South University pages on the CASAA website for details about our program and application requirements.
• Visit http://casaa.liaisoncas.com to complete an online application for admission through CASAA.
• Please follow the instructions on the CASAA site regarding the submission of documents.

Admissions Cycle by Campus:

The dates for each campus’ application cycle are posted on the university website and updated annually.

The applicant is solely responsible for completion of their individual application. The program is not responsible for deficiencies due to U.S. mail or failure of third parties to complete an applicant’s request for transcripts, scores, letters of reference, etc.

The most qualified candidates for admission will be invited for an interview based upon when the application was completed and verified in CASAA. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications as early in the cycle as possible. Interviews are conducted in a rolling manner throughout the cycle, and the class begins to fill. In the final months of the cycle, the class may become full; at this point, applicants may be offered an interview for a position on the waitlist.

Students who are offered admission into a South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program are only permitted to accept an admission offer at one campus. Within 14 days of the student signing the admission acceptance form, it is the responsibility of the student to notify any other South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program(s) of their intent to withdraw. Admission acceptance fees are non-refundable, and do not transfer between South University Anesthesiologist Assistant programs or other South University programs of study.

Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university.
• Required prerequisite courses are listed in the following table.  Excluding English, the most advanced pre-requisite course in each subject area must have been completed within seven years of application date.  Pre-requisite course subject areas: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Math. Prerequisite courses completed prior to the seven-year window will be considered current in the following situations: official MCAT taken within one year of application demonstrating at least 50th percentile scores on each of the four sections (Chemical and Physical, Critical Analysis and Reasoning, Biological and Biochemical, and Psychological and Social Behavior).
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work. South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs accept credit for Advanced Placement courses. AP courses taken and successfully completed will be counted as one course credit toward completion of the respective pre-requisite subject. Grades earned in AP courses are not used in the calculation of the applicant’s overall or prerequisite GPA.

Entrance Exams:

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) taken within 5 years of application.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The program must receive official score reports directly from the Educational Testing Service. Applicants should use the following GRE code for the respective campus: The code for South University, Savannah is 7450; the code for South University, Orlando is 3908; the code for South University, West Palm Beach is 2840.
• Medical College Admission Test. MCAT scores must be officially reported through CASAA.
• Verification of familiarity with the practice of anesthesia, including the environment in which day-to- day work occurs.  The form is located on the admissions page of the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant program website.
• Three letters of recommendation are required to be submitted as part of the CASAA application. Recommended sources of reference include: employers/managers, professors, advisors, or research directors.
• CASAA applicant personal statement.

As the admissions process also takes into consideration the personality characteristics deemed essential to becoming an anesthesiologist assistant, material such as a noncognitive or personality assessment may be required.  
 
Students wishing to enter the Anesthesiologist Assistant program in the College of Health Professions should be aware that applicants with a prior felony or serious misdemeanor conviction will not be considered. Acceptance into a South University program or its completion does not imply or guarantee that a student will be able to obtain subsequent licensure or certification.   

Required Pre-requisite College Courses

(substitutions are not permitted and survey courses or courses for non-science majors are not acceptable).  

Technical Standards

To undertake and successfully complete the Anesthesiologist Assistant program, as well as to function as an anesthetist after graduation, requires that an individual meet certain fundamental physical, cognitive, and behavioral standards. The requisite technical skills include, but are not limited to the following:

• Effectively communicating verbally with patients and their family members and with other healthcare professionals.
• Interacting with patients, including obtaining a history and performing a physical examination.
• Effectively communicating in writing, and by record keeping, those data and information essential to the practice of anesthesia and the care of patients.
• Reading and comprehending written parts of the medical record and other patient care documents in order to safely and effectively participate in the practice of anesthesia.
• Having sufficient knowledge, motor skill, and coordination to perform diagnostic and therapeutic tasks, including invasive procedures, on patients in a timely manner so as to ensure the safety and well-being of the patients. These tasks include but are not limited to peripheral and central venous catheterization, arterial puncture and cannulation, breathing bag-and-mask ventilation, laryngeal mask airway insertion and management, endotracheal intubation.
• Having sufficient strength, motor skill, and coordination to lift, move, and position patients as required for administration of anesthesia and performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Having sufficient speed and coordination to quickly and safely react to emergent conditions throughout the hospital in order to assure patient safety.
• Recognizing and differentiating colors of signals displayed on monitors; being able to work in both light and dark conditions as exist in patient care areas (e.g., operating room, radiology suite, endoscopy suite); being able to recognize details of objects both near and far.
• Hearing, processing, and interpreting multiple conversations, monitor signals, alarms, and patient sounds simultaneously in fast-paced patient care settings (e.g., operating room, intensive care unit, emergency room).
• Having no impairment that would preclude continuous performance of all of the above activities or any and all of the other activities that are an integral part of an anesthesiologist assistant’s participation in the anesthesia care team.

Applicant Selection

To determine which candidates are selected for admission, the Admissions Committee has established the following selection factors as components of determining admission into the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program.  Applicants for admission are considered and ranked using multiple factors as described below:

• Academic achievement (overall GPA, prerequisite GPA, and science GPA)
• Entrance Exam Scores.  Preference will be given to those with GRE scores (Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning) > 50th percentile and MCAT scores > 500
• Prerequisite coursework obtained from a four-year college or university designed for science majors
• Letters of reference
• Direct patient care experience
• Personal statement/essay
• Anesthesia/shadowing experiences
• Community service/volunteer activities
• Interview performance
• Results of noncognitive/personality assessment

Evidence of an applicant’s interpersonal skills, problem-solving ability, professionalism, motivation, academic potential, communication, and knowledge of the AA profession/health care system are assessed by the Admissions Committee. The committee will determine the degree to which applicants demonstrate alignment with the South University AA Program mission and expectations.

Post-Acceptance Requirements

Prior to matriculation, each person accepted into the Anesthesiologist Assistant program must provide an official transcript indicating degree conferred and show completion of all required course work. Complete transcripts and an official record of undergraduate degree must be on file with the program before registration will be permitted for the first quarter.

A recent medical history, physical examination, and all immunization records required must be maintained in the individual student’s compliance tracking portal from the time of matriculation until graduation.  It is the student’s responsibility to keep these records complete and up to date. Students who do not maintain these records as required will be referred to the Progress and Promotions committee for a professionalism standard violation.

Students entering senior year may be required to obtain an updated current history, physical examination, background check and drug screen depending on the rotation site.

Policy on Experiential Learning

No course credit is awarded for experiential learning to applicants of the Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science program.

Transfer of Credits Policy

South University Anesthesiologist Assistant Program does not accept transfer of credits from other anesthesiologist assistant programs or provide enrolled students with a waiver of credit (i.e. advanced placement) for any component of the required curricular coursework. Students may not transfer from one South Anesthesiologist Assistant campus to another.

All students must complete each course in the South University Anesthesiologist Assistant curriculum.

Insurance Requirements

Students in the Anesthesiologist Assistant program are required to have continuous health insurance coverage in force for the duration of their enrollment.  Documentation of this insurance coverage must be stored and maintained in the student’s compliance tracking account selected by the program.  If at any time a student does not have insurance in force and current documentation listed in their compliance tracking account, they will cease participation in clinical education and be referred to the Progress and Promotions committee for a violation of the standards of Professionalism for the Anesthesiologist Assistant program.

Students using private health insurance must ensure that their plan covers treatment and monitoring for needle stick injuries and other documented exposure to blood borne pathogens for all clinical rotation locations. For the student’s own personal safety, it is imperative that they have an adequate health plan or the resources to pay for necessary medical care in the event of a needle stick or exposure to pathogenic organisms.

Payment for all medical and psychiatric services, elective, and emergent, are the responsibility of the student regardless of the source of an illness or injury are the responsibility of the student regardless of what the source of an illness or injury may be.  The student is responsible for payment of medical services including all laboratory and other diagnostic and therapeutic services rendered as part of a protocol into which a student is entered in the event of exposure to known or suspected pathogenic organisms. Each clinical site has a specific established protocol for exposure that the student must follow.

Background Checks

The Anesthesiologist Assistant program follows the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy located in the South University Catalog (www.southuniversity.edu/admissions/academic-catalog). Students must complete a background check at their own expense using the agency identified by the AA Program prior to matriculation. No other background checks will be accepted. Students may be required to submit additional background checks during their enrollment as required by the clinical site.

Background checks confirm that students have no current record of criminal activity, and this information may be relayed to clinical sites for verification during their enrollment. Any new activity found as a result of such background checks in violation with the College of Health Professions Background Check Policy may affect the student’s status in the program and the student will be referred to the Progress and Promotions Committee. Any violations that involve felony or serious misdemeanor convictions will result in immediate dismissal from the educational program. Students may appeal this decision based on verification of factual information according to the appeals process outlined in the student handbook.

Note: Applicants are not eligible for admittance to the AA 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. 

Drug Screening

Applicants who are accepted into the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program must complete a drug screen at their own cost using the agency identified by the AA Program Director. Applicants must submit the drug screen results to the program office prior to matriculation. The Anesthesiologist Assistant 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). Students will be required to submit additional drug and alcohol screens throughout their enrollment, based on reasonable suspicion and as needed for clinical site placements.

Note: Applicants with positive drug screen results will not be admitted into the AA Program. Students who have a positive drug and alcohol screen result during enrollment will be referred to the AA Program’s Progress and Promotions committee.

Applicants with Disabilities

In accordance with policies of South University, the program does not discriminate against any individual because of disability. Applicants must meet the requirements for technical standards as printed above. Students with disabilities should consult with the Dean of Student Affairs, who coordinates disability services.

Guidelines for Graduates of Colleges and Universities outside the United States 

Please note that no exemptions will be made for required course work regardless of degrees or certification received outside the United States, experience, work background, or education.

In addition to the General Admission Requirements (above), the applicant who has graduated from a college or university outside the United States regardless of United States' residency status must do the following (not necessary for United States Territories): 

• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work taken outside the United States must be submitted to the program, along with the report from a credentialing organization (e.g., Educational Credential Evaluators, Incorporated) demonstrating equivalency to a bachelor's degree received at an American college or university and evaluating the transcript course-by-course for equivalency to required pre-requisites for admission to the Anesthesiologist Assistant program.
• A statement from a responsible person certifying that the applicant's financial resources are sufficient to meet necessary expenses (International Students only).
• Deficiencies in required course work must be made up by taking appropriate courses in a college or university in the United States.
• A statement from a qualified physician describing any emotional or physical illnesses suffered by the applicant during the preceding five (5) years or certifying freedom from such illnesses (International Students only). In addition to the General Admission Requirements (above) and the first three requirements of this section, the applicant who has been graduated from a college or university of a country for which English is not the primary language regardless of United States' residency status must do the following:
  
  Student must obtain minimum listed below for each section. Scores must be from exam taken within seven (7) years of application to the program. The program must receive an official score report directly from Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ.

Deferment Policy

South University reserves the right to grant a one (1) year enrollment deferral for the AA program to an accepted student under the following conditions: 

1. The student has accepted a class position within the allotted time period and submitted the required deposit but has not yet begun the 1st quarter of enrollment.
2. The student submits a written request to the Program Director that specifies the reason for the request and confirms his or her intent to enroll in the program at the next class start.  Acceptance or denial of a request for deferral is at the discretion of the Program Director.
3. A student who is granted a deferment must notify the Program Director in writing of their intent to enroll in the next matriculating class no later six months prior to the next scheduled cohort start date.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here..

Admissions criteria for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are consistent with those required in other master's degree level programs at South University. As the admissions process also takes into consideration the characteristics deemed essential to becoming a clinical mental health counselor, material is also required which will enable a determination to be made of the applicant's personal integrity, maturity, interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively. The criteria used in determining admission to the graduate program include: 

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
2. A grade point average of at least 2.3 (on an Admissions scale of 4.0) for the last 60 semester hours/90 quarter hours of coursework (including relevant graduate work), or, a bachelor's degree with an overall CGPA of 2.3, or, an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. A minimum score on a South University preapproved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose "first" language is not English as specified in the English Language Proficiency Policy.
4. Interview with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling department chair/program director or designated faculty member.
5. Approval of the campus program admissions committee.
6. Completion of an application for admission.
7. Submission of a personal/professional statement addressing the applicant's interest in counseling, professional goals, along with a self-appraisal of academic and professional qualifications.
8. Submission (within 5 weeks of class start dates) of official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended (refer to Conditional Acceptance).
9. Current résumé (or career summary).
10. Background Check

All required admissions documentation and criteria will be reviewed and evaluated. Applicants will be notified regarding acceptance. Applicants should review the published general graduate requirements listed in the South University catalog. Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States should also refer to the section in the South University catalog entitled International Student Admissions Policy. 

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 to determine admission to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program include: 

• Completion of the application for admission
• A bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale; or a master's degree in nursing (MSN/MN) from an accredited institution.
• Submission of official transcripts from every college or university attended within 5 weeks of the class 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 and clinical rotations, for entry and maintenance of admission to the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet their state/territory requirement for nursing licensure).

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 to determine admission to the Master of Science in Nursing 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 associate's degree in nursing from a foreign institution, or
  • hold a nursing diploma AND a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• A cumulative CGPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• Submission of official transcripts from every college or university attended within 5 weeks of the class 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: In order to progress into Graduate level nursing courses, a student must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 may transition to the RN to BSN program to complete their BSN and then apply for the MSN program.

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 in determining admission to the doctoral program include: 

• An earned undergraduate degree from an accepted accredited institution with a CGPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale OR
• An earned undergraduate degree from an accepted accredited institution with a CGPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale during the applicant's last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours earned on the bachelor's degree and/or subsequent graduate work OR
• An earned graduate degree from an accepted accredited institution with a CGPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• Interview with the Program Director or Chair.
• Submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, with submission due within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance).
• Applicants for whom English is a Second Language (ESL) must submit a minimum paper-based TOEFL
  (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 or the electronic-based score of 79-80 to be considered for the program.
• Completion of an application for admission.

Note: Applicants who are not citizens of the United States should refer to the section in the South University catalog entitled International Student Admissions Policy.

Exceptions to the Minimum GPA

Applications with CGPA lower than the stated program minimum (2.7 for the bachelor's degree and 3.0 for a graduate degree/coursework) may be considered for admission on the basis of evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by career and/or personal accomplishments indicated in a personal statement of academic and professional goals, a career resume or curriculum vita, and two letters of academic and/or professional recommendation.  The Program Director/Chair in consultation with the Dean of the College or designee must approve exceptions.

Students admitted on an exception basis will be admitted as regular students on provisional status for the first quarter of enrollment.  In order to remain enrolled after completion of the first quarter the student must achieve a CGPA of at least 3.0.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here. 

Applications for the DBA program are accepted year-round. However, the Savannah campus DBA program only seats new students in spring quarter of each year. 

• Completion of an MBA degree from an acceptable accredited institution.
  OR
• Completion of an undergraduate degree in business and a master's degree in a business field (such as organizational leadership, management, or human resources) from an acceptable accredited institution. The College Dean makes the final decision regarding accepted fields of study for admission to the program.
  AND
  A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) on the earned master's degree. Additional coursework may be required to meet the Required Knowledge Base. Refer to section on Required Knowledge Base for further information.
• Completion of an application for admission.
• Submission (within 5 weeks of class start date) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (refer to Conditional Acceptance). 
• Personal interview with a representative from the College of Business as designated by the Dean of the College of Business (may be conducted by teleconference).

Submission of the following: 

• A 1,000-word Statement of Purpose Essay that targets the applicant's academic and professional preparation for the South University DBA, along with future academic and professional goals. This statement must detail how the applicant's goals will be enhanced from earning a South University DBA and how the degree will be integrated into future career goals.
• Résumé or curriculum vitae that clearly outlines academic and professional preparation for a doctorate program.
• Three current academic/professional recommendations submitted directly to South University from the evaluator.  References submitted to South University by an applicant will not be accepted. These recommendations must present the applicant's ability to successfully matriculate the program and how the applicant will contribute to the overall quality of the program. Additionally, the recommendation must include an assessment of the applicant's ability to be successful as a professional in teaching, service and research.

Once all required admissions documents and information are submitted, the candidate's admission packet will be reviewed and evaluated by the program director. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis and applicants will be notified immediately.

Transfer of Credit Guidelines for the DBA program

The majority of credits toward the DBA degree program must be earned at South University. Credit for transfer work will be given if the courses were taken at an acceptable accredited collegiate institution, the course is equivalent to courses offered at South University, and the course carries a grade of "B" or better.

All transfer credit will be reviewed and approved by the Dean, College of Business, or designee, and the Department Chair of the respective academic department and Program Director. The maximum number of classes to transfer is four courses or 16 quarter hours. NOTE: Dissertation courses may not be transferred from another institution.

Required Knowledge Base for the DBA Program

Applicants to the DBA degree program must demonstrate a master's level ability to integrate knowledge within critical knowledge areas with a grade of "B" or better. These knowledge areas must have been taken at an acceptable accredited institution and be equivalent to a 3 semester-hour, graduate level course.

Knowledge Areas: 

• Organizational Behavior and Communication
• Statistics

Students meeting all other admission requirements except not having met the Required Knowledge Base areas will be admitted into the program; however, these graduate level knowledge areas must be successfully completed with a grade of "B" or better within the first two quarters of enrollment.

If a student does not complete the Required Knowledge Base areas within the required timeframe, the student will be dismissed from the program.

The Required Knowledge Base course credits do not count towards the total number of credits for graduation nor do they count in the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA); however, they do count in determining the maximum time frame (MTF) and the Incremental Completion Rate (ICR).

Virtual Residency Requirement for Online Students

The doctoral residencies are a requirement for online students in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program.  These are a time for faculty, staff, and students to meet in a collegial learning opportunity. Residencies are designed as a time for students and faculty to work together collaboratively and to support the creation of a community of scholars.  Students will participate in faculty- and student-led presentations and will have the opportunity to network and share their experiences in the program. They will also be able to work collaboratively on their scholarship during the residencies, and opportunities to provide service to the academic community will be discussed. 

The South University DBA has two residencies.  All DBA students in the online program are required to participate in these two residencies; these residencies are part of the completion requirements for the program.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.