South University
A Century of Academic Excellence
Backed by more than a century of academic excellence and personalized attention, South University continues to be recognized as an innovator in higher education.
South University - Columbia is a private academic institution dedicated to providing quality education to its diverse and vibrant student population. The university's faculty brings a wealth of practical and professional knowledge to the classroom, while offering dynamic learning environments with interaction and challenging curricula. In addition to a strong academic foundation, students develop the real world skills they will need to advance their professional goals and succeed in their desired fields.
Columbia Campus
South University - Columbia is located in Columbia, SC, the state capital and largest city in South Carolina. Columbia is home to the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, numerous cultural offerings and a rich history along the Congaree River. The South University - Columbia campus is situated in the Carolina Research Park, off Interstate 77 in northeast Columbia, one of the fastest growing sections of the city.
Campus facilities comprise 40,000 square feet of space that includes wireless technology, classrooms, a medical lab for students pursuing health care degrees, three computer labs and video conferencing capabilities.
Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
The Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies degree program provides education preparation for individuals to serve as paralegals or legal assistants. In keeping with the demands of professionalism, the paralegal program consists of specialized course work and a supervised externship in selected legal settings both public and private, such as:
- Police administration
- Law firms
- Real estate companies
- Title companies
- Bank and trust agencies
- Judicial offices
Extensive practical training prepares graduates, under the supervision of an attorney, to perform many of the functions in a legal office, including but not limited to, assisting attorneys with interviewing clients and preparing legal documents and cases for trial. Paralegals cannot give legal advice, set fees, or represent clients in court.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is for law enforcement practitioners who want to advance their careers, for those in other occupations looking to make a change, and for high school graduates preparing for a future in the criminal justice field.
The program curriculum offers a comprehensive, relevant, practitioner-oriented preparation for this dynamic, rapidly growing profession. Students may choose one of the following areas of emphasis:
- Juvenile justice
- Corrections
- Law enforcement
- Crime scene investigation (CSI)
- Cyber crime
Course work focuses on the development of real-world knowledge of the criminal justice system in all its complexities, and explores the social, legal and technological challenges of the field. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions or to apply their understanding of law enforcement, criminology, the judicial process, juvenile justice, corrections and criminal law to their current job.
Bachelor of Science Legal Studies
The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree program provides students with a number of academic options. Individuals with an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or those who are currently pursuing an associate's degree in any major, may transfer into the Bachelor of Science degree program in Legal Studies. Students with no prior paralegal education may take the full baccalaureate program.
The legal studies program provides an excellent foundation for those graduates who seek employment as paralegals/legal assistants. These individuals in entry-level positions helping attorneys by:
- Assisting with the preparation of criminal and civil cases
- Including interviewing clients
- Investigating facts
- Drafting legal documents
- Researching law
- Assisting the attorney at trial
Additionally, students learn how the law applies to real-life problems. Practical course work that stresses the development of analytical skills prepares graduates for challenging and interesting careers as legal professionals in governmental agencies, legal departments of banks, insurance agencies, courts and corporations.
Legal professionals work for attorneys in diverse areas such as:
- Family law
- Personal injury
- Criminal law
- International law
- Environmental law
- Employment law
- And more
They perform specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible, but they cannot give legal advice, set fees, or represent clients in court.
This program is offered on-ground in traditional classroom format and is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Master of Science Criminal Justice
The South University Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to serve the growing number of individuals in the criminal justice system who desire a post baccalaureate education, as well as those in more traditional public and private employment who may wish to acquire further education in criminal justice.
The program serves a variety of student interests. It has been designed with a limited prerequisite requirement to enable students with bachelor’s degrees in related fields such as criminology, psychology, business or public administration, anthropology, political science, sociology or related social sciences to enroll along with students with undergraduate degrees in criminal justice.
The Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice prepares students for management, administrative, research, and teaching positions. It is primarily designed to foster a learning community of criminal justice professionals who will use their knowledge within law enforcement, correctional, political, and legal arenas. Program graduates will also be prepared for admission to doctoral programs in criminal justice, criminology and other related fields as well as for promotions within existing law enforcement, correctional, local and state government, and legal institutions.
Accreditation
South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of South University.