Campus Locations

• Columbia
• Montgomery
• Savannah
• Tampa
• West Palm Beach
• Online Programs

Schools

• School of Business
• School of Health Professions
• School of Pharmacy

Programs

• Anesthesiologist Assistant
• Business Administration
• Criminal Justice
• Graphic Design
• Health Science
• Healthcare Administration
• Healthcare Management
• Information Technology
• Legal Studies
• Medical Assisting
• Nursing
• Nursing RN to BSN
• Paralegal Studies
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapist Assisting
• Physician Assistant
• Professional Counseling
• Psychology

History

A Century of Academic Excellence: The History of South University

South University enjoys a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and personalized student attention. South University traces its heritage to 1899, when Dr. John Draughon established Draughon's Practical Business College in Savannah, GA.

Since then, South University has achieved the following milestones:

1899		John Draughon established Draughons Practical Business College, launching a more than century of excellence in education in Savannah, GA.
1974		The family of John T. South, III acquired the institution and changed its name to Draughons Junior College.
1976		Institution established a second campus in West Palm Beach, Fla.
1985		Received accreditation from The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to confer associate degrees.
1986		Draughon's Junior College becomes South College.
1996		SACS accredits South at bachelor’s level.
1997		South College merges its third campus in Montgomery, AL, and introduced a bachelor's degree in Physician Assistant Studies in Savannah
2001		SACS accredits South at the master’s level and becomes South University.
2002		South University merges its fourth campus in Columbia, S.C.
2002		SACS accredits University at doctoral level – the only institution of higher education in Savannah accredited at that level.
2003		First Doctor of Pharmacy class begins at the Savannah campus. Acquired by Education Management Corporation, one of the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America.
2004		Master of Medical Science, Anesthesiologist program launches; Online bachelor's degree programs in information technology and business administration begin.
2005		Launched online bachelor's degree programs in healthcare management, nursing and criminal justice.
2006		Launched online master's degrees in business administration, criminal justice and healthcare administration. First students graduate with the Doctor of Pharmacy from South University's School of Pharmacy. South University opens its Tampa, Fla., campus. The new campus launches Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree program.
2007		University introduces MBA and MBA in Healthcare Administration degree programs at four campus locations. South University graduates its first online graduates. South University awards largest number of graduate degrees in the University's history. The Savannah campus officially opens a new University library more than tripling the size of its previous library. South University Launches RN to BSN Degree Completion Program at Columbia, Tampa and West Palm Beach campus locations.

Media Contact

Please direct general media inquiries (members of the media only, please) to:



Heather Askew
Director of Communications
p 912.201.8114
haskew@southuniversity.edu