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Business Administration

Columbia, SC

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Degree Overview

Bachelor of Business Administration

Jessica Martin, Bachelor of Business Administration, Class of 2018
Jessica Martin, Bachelor of Business Administration, Class of 2018

South University’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program focuses on preparing students with a foundation of knowledge and skills needed to pursue an entry-level business career*. Skills that students can learn as part of the BBA degree program include leadership, decision-making, management, how to adapt business strategies to accommodate changing marketplace conditions, assessing organizational needs, and many others. The business administration degree culminates in a capstone project that allows students to demonstrate the skills they have learned.

*South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.

Admission Requirements

General Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

To be admitted to any of the undergraduate programs at South University, the prospective student must provide proof of high school graduation as recognized by the state of residence on the date the degree was earned, or the equivalent in which a diploma was earned, with a minimum CGPA of 1.5 on a 4.0 scale within 5 weeks of the start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). Students providing a GED must meet the minimum required test score deemed as passing in each section as required at the time of testing.

The prospective student must also complete the university administered placement tests within the first quarter of attendance. South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation. Credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service. Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.

Students with less than the minimum CGPA of 1.49 on a 4.0 scale may meet admissions requirements by submitting a minimum combined SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math) score of 700 or 900 on the SAT requiring an essay portion, a combined ACT score of 18, or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student.

Students with a CGPA between 1.49 to 1.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 CGPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal. Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.

Students with less than a 1.0 on a 4.0 scale do not meet the admissions requirements for South University.

Acceptable verification of high school graduation or the equivalent would include a high school transcript (official or unofficial), or GED scores and state-authorized examination scores (ex. HiSET, TASC). In states that maintain a database that serves as an official registry of high school and GED graduates, an excerpt from the official database documenting the student's graduation or GED completion may be used.

Campuses in South Carolina must be provided with official high school transcripts or GED scores.

Please see the policy on GPA Calculation for Admission for additional information

Conditional Acceptance

Students may be conditionally accepted by submitting unofficial copies of documentation required for the admission requirements. Conditional acceptance is allowed for 5 weeks beyond the start of the student’s first session. Failure to provide acceptable, official documentation, as stated in the admissions requirements, within 5 weeks from the start date will result in the following:

  • Removal from class
  • Cancelation of enrollment
  • No final course grades
  • No transcript

Students who do not provide acceptable documents for full, unconditional acceptance within the 5 week period will not be responsible for tuition and related fees. South University may grant exceptions to the 5 week period for unusual situations or circumstances. All exceptions must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar for approval.

Admission of Transfer Students

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

To be eligible for admission, transfer students must complete the application procedures and satisfy the following criteria:

  1. Submit a completed application for admission.
  2. Have earned 24 or more credit hours, or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 1.5 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution.
  3. Submit official transcripts (including verifiable faxed transcripts) from all colleges and universities attended.
  4. Submit self-certification of high school graduation or GED completion.

For transfer of credit practices refer to the applicable section under the Academic Affairs section of this catalog.

To be admitted as a Transfer student into South University the prospective student must have earned 24 or more quarter credit hours or the equivalent (e.g. 16 semester hours), with a cumulative GPA of 1.5 from an acceptable accredited collegiate institution. Official transcripts from the collegiate institution(s) must be received within 5 weeks of the start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance), and who are not required to take ENG0099 and/or MAT0099, will be exempt from taking the UVC1000 Strategies for Success. Students will select another 4 credit course in consultation with their Academic Advisor or Academic Counselor to fulfill the degree requirements.

Students with 24 or more quarter credits with a CGPA of between 1.49 to 1.0 may be admitted provisionally for two quarters. Failure to achieve a 1.5 GPA in the first two quarters of attendance will result in dismissal. Students may appeal the dismissal by following the Procedures for Appealing Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Policy.

Students who are citizens of countries other than the United States should refer to the section entitled International Student Admissions Policy.

Students who are transferring from or to a school within the University of North Carolina or the North Carolina Community College System should be aware of the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement approved by both governing Boards on March 1, 1996 and revised in September of 2008. This agreement may be found in its entirety at the following website.

For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.

Course Requirements

Bachelor of Business Administration: 180 Credits
Area I General Education Requirements: 48 Credits
Professional Development
Basic Communications
ENG1100 Composition I 4.0 Credit Hours
ENG1200 Composition II 4.0 Credit Hours

Choose one additional course from the list below:

Mathematics and Statistics
MAT1001 College Algebra I 4.0 Credit Hours
MAT1005 College Algebra II 4.0 Credit Hours
MAT2058 Statistics 4.0 Credit Hours
Natural Sciences (choose one)
BIO1020 Biology I 4.0 Credit Hours
CHM1010 General Chemistry 4.0 Credit Hours
Arts and Humanities
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Area II Foundation Requirements: 36 Credits
ACC1001 Accounting I 4.0 Credit Hours
ACC1002 Accounting II 4.0 Credit Hours
ACC1003 Accounting III 4.0 Credit Hours
BUS1038 Business Law I 4.0 Credit Hours
Area III Major Requirements: 48 Credits
Elective Pool (twelve courses or 48 credit hours)

Transfer students may transfer any course to help fulfill the elective pool requirements, provided the course meets the standards of the Credit for Transcripted and Non-transcripted Work policy found in the Academic Affairs section of this catalog.

Non-transfer students, with their advisor's consultation and approval may choose courses from any department recommended and listed course or more broadly from any course offered by South University. Work from other fields must include any required prerequisite courses in the elective field.

A course can be used to meet only one requirement in Area I, Area II, or Area III, but not simultaneously in two areas. Students should work with their academic advisor or counselor to be sure they are making appropriate course choices.

Choose eight courses from the following list:

Outcomes

Offered at Austin, Columbia, Montgomery, Online Programs, Richmond, Savannah, Tampa, Virginia Beach, and West Palm Beach.

Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree program focuses on preparing students with the knowledge and skills they will need to pursue entry-level positions in business. With courses such as Strategic Management (MGT4070), Operations Management (MGT3059) and Business Simulation (BUS4098) students can discover how to adapt business strategies to accommodate changing marketplace conditions. Courses that include Project Management (MGT3035), Organizational Behavior (MGT3002) and Leadership (MGT3102) are designed to provide students with opportunities to understand and apply effective leadership skills. Through case studies and intensive projects, students will have the opportunity to gain the ability to assess organizational needs and implement effective improvement scenarios.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to determine the extent of information needed, assess the needed information, evaluate information and its sources critically, use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose, and access and use information ethically and legally.
  2. Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, their understanding of and solutions for common business problems.
  3. Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills when working with team members with diverse backgrounds and abilities to realize important business objectives.
  4. Demonstrate an ability to apply quantitative analysis and critical thinking skills to analyze business problems within and across functional business disciplines to positively affect financial performance.
  5. Demonstrate attainment of discipline-specific knowledge and the practical skills to be effective in entry-level positions.

Career Outlook

These are some of the career options* you can explore when you have earned your degree:

  • Entrepreneur
  • Sales Representative
  • Marketing Associate
  • Project Managers
  • Loan Officer
  • Accounting Assistant
  • Operations
  • Finance - Analyst, Manager
  • Business Manager
  • Personal Service Manager
  • Business Analyst

*South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.

Request Information

Fill out the form and a representative will contact you today to better understand your academic goals plus answer any questions you may have.

Campuses offer flexible learning formats* including: on-campus, virtual instructions, and online courses.

*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.

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Success Stories

Outstanding Education for Remarkable Careers

We're committed to helping our graduates make impact in their professional and personal lives. We applaud our business and technology alumni and the difference they make. 

Annette Tornberg 2013
Annette Tornberg Grad Alumni
Class of '13
Associate of Science in Business Administration-South University, Online Programs

“I feel that if I did not go back to school to further my education, my job search would not have come to this conclusion. I attended college twice in my twenties, but dropped out due to lack of enthusiasm. Going back to school and completing it online is why I am now finally employed. Don’t give up. You are never too old to learn.”

Lauren Elsberry null
Lauren Elsberry Grad Alumni
Class of '12
MBA in Healthcare Administration-South University, Atlanta

“This program has helped make me better. It improved my time management. It improved my organization. I think because of its accelerated pace, it created those unexpected benefits. The classes I have taken in the AMBA program are relevant to my new position. I know my degree was something they looked at. South University has a good reputation; people have heard of it.”

La'Sondrick Bridges 2011
La'Sondrick Bridges Grad Alumni
Class of '11
Master of Business Administration-South University, Columbia

“After talking it through, I realized I could go to school and work full time as well. They really care about you and want you to succeed.”

Tonya Hampton 2013
Tonya Hampton Grad Alumni
Class of '13
Bachelor of Business Administration-South University, Online Programs

“I love being a leader. South University helped me reach my full potential in management skills. The faculty and staff always went out of their way to make sure that the University had a positive impact on its students.”

blue cap and gown graduate icon
Leah N. Williams Grad Alumni
Class of '09
Master of Business Administration-South University, Columbia

“A few years ago, I decided that I wanted to take my career to the next level and realized that an MBA would allow me to achieve that goal. When I first showed interest in South University, I met my admissions officer, Shakeara Hudson. She made the application process as easy as possible, and then she checked on me continuously while I was a student just to make sure I was on track to complete my MBA. She even attended my graduation ceremony and spoke with me afterwards.”

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

The following business programs at South University, Columbia, the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management, Master of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs ([ACBSP] 11520 West 119th Street; Overland Park, KS 66213; 913-339-9356; www.acbsp.org).