The following information is provided as a guideline for determining applicant eligibility for admission to South University. Procedural information is included where necessary for clarification. Additional information can be obtained from the admissions department.

To be admitted to any of the programs at South University, the prospective student must be a high school graduate or the equivalent (GED). After meeting this qualification, applicants must either (1) achieve a satisfactory score on one of the entrance examinations described below, or (2) meet the eligibility requirements for a transfer student.

General Entrance Test Requirements

SAT I: minimum combined score of 900 (verbal and math)
NOTE: SAT scores indicated throughout this document for admission and placement are re-centered scores.
or
ACT: minimum composite score of 19
or
CPTs: minimum section scores as follows:
Reading 77
Sentence Skills 86
Elementary Algebra 53
Arithmetic 36

Academic Support Entrance Test Requirements

SAT I: minimum combined score of 660
or
ACT: minimum composite score of 14
or
CPTs: minimum section scores as follows:
Reading 54
Sentence Skills 60
Arithmetic 36

Applicants who do not pass all sections of the test on the first attempt may retake the entire test or only those sections not passed.

Note: Students accepted under academic support admission are limited to 12 credit hours of study during their first quarter. Students enrolled in programs that include UVC1000/Strategies for Success are required to take the course within their first two quarters of study at the university. Students must be enrolled in the appropriate developmental courses during their first two quarters of attendance. Developmental course requirements must be completed within four quarters of study at the university.

Requirements for Transfer Admission

To be eligible for admission as a transfer student, the applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

  1. Submit a completed application for admission.
  2. Transfer from an accredited collegiate institution.
  3. Have earned 30 quarter credit hours, or the equivalent (e.g., 20 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  4. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

To facilitate the admissions process, unofficial documentation, such as copies of transcripts or grade reports, may be used to determine admission status. Transfer status cannot be designated, however, without some verifying documentation.

A transfer student's overall record should not be less than the minimum academic standard required of South University students. Credit earned at an accredited technical college may not transfer unless the credit earned is equivalent to courses offered in degree programs, including the associate degree.

Transfer students will be exempted from developmental courses on the basis of grades earned in credit-bearing English or math courses transferred to South University, if applicable, or SAT, ACT, or CPT scores submitted to the university.

An applicant seeking transfer admission who cannot meet the above criteria may submit SAT, ACT, or CPT scores to achieve general admission.

Admission to RN to BSN Nursing Track

  1. Completion of all general education requirements with a grade of C or higher in specified courses.
  2. ASN or diploma graduate of an accredited nursing program.
  3. Overall grade point average (GPA) in all nursing college work attempted of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  4. Provisional admission may be granted for an overall GPA of 2.0 to 2.49 on a 4.0 scale. Final admission requires completion of at least four general education courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  5. Evidence of current, unencumbered RN license in state of clinical practice.

Admission Requirements Summary

  General Admission Academic Support Admission
SAT I 900 (V+M) or above 660-899(V+M)
ACT 19 minimum composite 14-18 composite
CPT Minimum section scores
Reading 77
Sentence Skills 86
Elementary Algebra 53
Arithmetic 36
Section score ranges or minimums
Reading 54-76
Sentence Skills 60-85
Elementary Algebra 0-52
Arithmetic 36

Admission Standards for Specific Programs

  General Admission Academic Support Admission
BSN Completion of all programprerequisite courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.5, per the above-listed requirements. Not applicable

Developmental Course Placement

Accepted applicants are placed in developmental courses on the basis of their entrance/placement test scores and/or transfer credit according to the guidelines listed below.

  ENG0099 MAT0099
SAT <430 V <400 M
ACT <14 V <14 M
CPT 60-85 Sentence Skills 0-52 Elementary Algebra
Transfer No transfer credit is granted for developmental courses. Student may be exempted from ENG0099 or MAT0099 based on transfer of applicable credit-bearing course, or may take CPT to exempt.


The Master of Business Administration and MBA in Healthcare Administration are designed for prospective students who have:

  • Proof of high school graduation or GED
  • Completed an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 2.7 or better on a 4.0 scale, OR
  • Completed an undergraduate degree with a minimum combined GMAT score within the 50th percentile.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed for prospective students who have:

  • A bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better OR
  • A bachelor's degree with a minimum combined GMAT score within the 50th percentile OR
  • A bachelor's degree with required minimum scores on two out of the three subsections of the GRE OR
  • A bachelor's degree and score at or above the 50th percentile on any one of the Graduate Subject Tests OR
  • A bachelor's degree and achieve a minimum raw score of 44 on the Miller's Analogies Test (MAT)

The Master of Public Administration program is designed for prospective students who have:

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.70 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of coursework (including relevant graduate work).

    • Exceptions to the Minimum GPA Applications with grade point averages lower than the stated program minimum may be considered for admission with significant evidence of academic and professional potential demonstrated by the career and/or personal accomplishments indicated in the personal statement of academic and professional goals, the career résumé, academic or professional letters of recommendation, and GRE Scores. Although GRE scores are optional, submission of scores may improve an applicant's application. Exceptions must be recommended by the department chair or program director. Students admitted on an exception basis will be admitted as regular students on a probationary status for the first quarter of enrollment. In order to remain enrolled after the first quarter, the student must achieve a GPA of at least 3.0.


Contact Information

For more information about South University please call 1-888-444-3404 or visit us online at http://online.southuniversity.edu.