South University is a for-profit school owned by the Education Management Corporation. It was originally founded in 1899 as a practical business school, but became an online university in 2003 when EDMC purchased the institution. South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, their nursing program has a separate accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. There are eleven South University campuses scattered across the east coast with the headquarter campus located in Georgia. There are over 18,000 students enrolled in their programs and more than half of those students conduct their educational endeavors online.
SU offers students a meaningful educational experience. The courses allow for students to receive a well-rounded education while focusing on their unique career goals. There are 30 different degrees offered online at three different levels. Students have the ability to earn an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree from the same institution online. If they are looking for additional certification they can earn those as well.
SU has on-campus locations that support their online programs. By enrolling online, students receive all the same benefits as on-campus students and become part of the same network. Online or on-campus students can earn degrees at the following levels:
Certificate
Associate
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral
High Acceptance Rate
South University does require students to apply to their programs, but their acceptance rate is about 80 percent. Their application and registration process can also be done entirely online.
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The Bad
Lack of program variety
Some pricing information undisclosed
Lack of Program Variety
SU offers 30 degrees at three different levels, but that seems like a very small variety when compared to the over 200 degrees offered by some of the largest online programs. Students are capable of picking from a variety of degrees in five different fields, so outside of those five fields, SU has little to offer students. These degree programs include:
Nursing
Business
Healthcare
Criminal Justice
Information Technology
Some Pricing Information Undisclosed
While tuition information for advanced degrees can be found, information for the certificate and associate's programs is undisclosed. Before enrolling, students should make sure they know the cost of attending.
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The Bottom Line
SU is highly committed to helping students develop into great leaders and active participants in the workforce. The professors that guide online students believe in gaining professional experience along with learning experience. It is clear that SU is highly committed to student success and is willing to create a quality learning experience around their students' schedules, but the tuition costs are a concern.
For those who are interested in applying to South University, they will need to complete the following in order to be admitted:
Proof of high school graduation
Submit test scores
Complete placement test
Submit online application and all accompanying documents