Southern Traditions, Academic Excellence

South University is proud to offer over a century of academic excellence at any one of six campuses. We offer a range of courses at both the undergraduate and post graduate levels. But it is our tradition of academic excellence and our modern innovations that attracts students to South University and our sense of Southern hospitality that helps them feel truly at home.

Our commitment to academic excellence began with our founder, Dr. John Draughon, who established the first campus in Savannah, Georgia in 1899. Located in the heart of the South, South University began to rapidly earn a reputation for top-notch instruction and academic innovation. South University programs now include courses in the Arts and Sciences, Business, Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacology.

It was Dr. Draughon’s vision to create a facility that would establish a tradition of academic excellence through personalized student attention. It is this personal approach to education that has allowed students at South University to find a home away from home as they pursue their studies.

Where we are Located

South University has five campuses which are located in: Savannah, Georgia; Montgomery, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia and Tampa and West Palm Beach, Florida. South University programs are offered at a variety of levels from the Associate’s to the Doctoral Level. Different programs are offered at different campuses.

Evolution of South College

South University has gone through many transformations in its long lifespan. Originally started under the name “Draughon’s Practical Business College”, it was later renamed in 1974. Although the name changed to Draughon’s Junior College the same standards of excellence were applied to its students.

A second campus was established in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1976. The college was later accredited in 1985 and granted the right to confer Associate’s Degrees. In 1986 the name was changed from Draughon’s Junior College to South College.

The accreditation process continued in 1996 with the accreditation of South College at the Bachelor‘s level. South College then merged and formed a third campus in Montgomery, Alabama. It was at this time that we introduced a Bachelor’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. This course is offered at our campus in Savannah, Georgia.

The New Millennium Brings Big Changes

Starting in the year 2001, there were big changes in store for South College. We became accredited at the Master’s level and officially changed our name to South University. But there were more changes in store, and South University was just getting started.

In 2002, South University merged its fourth campus in Columbia, South Carolina. It was in this same year that the university became accredited at the doctoral level. South University is now the only institution in Savannah, Georgia to be accredited at this high level of academics, a fact which we are very proud of, and rightly so. South University is the only postsecondary institution in the south to offer programs at a doctoral level.

South University now offers doctoral level programs at several of its campuses, including the Savannah, Georgia campus. The Doctor of Pharmacy course is currently only offered at the Savannah Campus, in a newly designed facility created to set off the gem in the South University academic crown.

South University also began offering innovative online courses in such diverse areas as business administration and information technology. We have since expanded our online classes to offer courses in healthcare management, nursing, criminal justice and healthcare administration. This allows students from across the country to receive the same high standard of South University instruction and evaluation as those that study on campus.

South University continues to expand its facilities and available courses. In 2009, South University opened its campus in Richmond Virginia. We have increased the size of our library at our Savannah campus and have continued to expand the levels at which we offer different courses. Truly South University is a thriving, growing community. Come make our home your home.