Accreditation and Affiliations

South College is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to confer Master of Health Science,Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Associate of Science degrees, as well as various certificate level programs. This authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation of minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. South College is approved for the training of veterans and other eligible beneficiaries by the Tennessee Division of Veterans Education.

South College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master’s, baccalaureate, and associate degree programs. 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 College.

Various programs have earned programmatic accreditation or approval as well. The Legal Studies and Paralegal Studies programs are American Bar Association (ABA) approved legal assistant education programs. The Medical Assisting Pro­gram is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educa­tion Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The Elementary Education (K­6) Program is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education. The Radiog­raphy and Health Science w/con in Radiography programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (61 Broadway 33rd Floor, New York City, New York 10006). The Nuclear Medicine and Health Science w/Concentration in Nuclear Medicine pro­grams are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT). In September 2007, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. granted provisional accreditation status to the South College Masters of Health Science Physician Assistant Studies Program. ARC-PA Provisional Accreditation is an accreditation status granted by the ARC-PA to a new PA program that has demonstrated its preparedness to initiate a program in accordance with the Accreditation Standards for Physician Assistant Education.

The college is a member of the following professional organizations:

• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers American Association for Paralegal Education
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment
• American Association of Paralegal Educators
• American Society of Criminology
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• Better Business Bureau
• Career College Association
• Educause
• Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership
• Knoxville Area Health Science Library Consortium
• Knoxville Bar Association
• National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• National League for Nursing
• Physician Assistant Educational Association
• Smoky Mountain Paralegal Association
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• Tennessee Association of Independent Colleges and Schools
• Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• Tennessee Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
• Tennessee Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education
• TENN-SHARE

Degree Requirements

A minimum of eight quarters for associate degrees and fourteen for bachelor degrees is usually necessary to complete an undergraduate degree program. The length of masters programs will vary. Students should expect to take day and evening classes to facilitate timely graduation from the college. To receive a degree, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Earn the required number of quarter hours. At least 40% of any degree program must be taken at South College (individual programs may require a higher percentage).
2. The student must earn the minimum grades designated by the program in all required courses.
3. Complete the placement department exit program and all outcomes assessment exams prior to graduation.
4. Satisfactory completion and submission of all Writing Across the Curriculum requirements (for all students entering during or since fall quarter 2005, except post-baccalaureate and graduate programs).
5. Abide by all college rules and regulations and settle any financial obligations to the college prior to graduation.
6. Programs may have additional graduation requirements that must be fulfilled.

Students who enter a degree program but later decide to change to a certificate program should promptly notify the Registrar in writing. Students may request approval for a course substitution, prerequisite override, or waiver. Deviation from any program requirements must be approved by the Executive Vice President. Academic programs are subject to change at the discretion of the institution.

Certificate Requirements

The certificate program offers students marketable skills in a short period of time. A minimum of four-five quarters of study is required to complete the certificate programs. Students may be required to take day and evening courses in order to facilitate timely graduation from the college.

Certificates are available in these areas.

• Nuclear Medicine
• Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Education

To receive a certificate, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Earn the required number of quarter hours. At least 40% of any degree program must be taken at South College (individual programs may require a higher percentage).
2. The student must earn the minimum grades designated by the program in all required courses.
3. Complete the placement department exit program and all outcomes assessment exams prior to graduation.
4. Satisfactory completion and submission of all Writing Across the Curriculum requirements (for all students entering during or since fall quarter 2005, except for post-baccalaureate and graduate programs).
5. Abide by all college rules and regulations and settle all financial obligations to the college prior to graduation.
6. Programs may have additional graduation requirements that must be fulfilled.

Students entering a certificate program who later decide to enter a degree program may do so, but should notify the Registrar promptly. Students discontinuing a degree program to pursue a certificate program should also notify the Registrar, who will in turn place them in contact with the appropriate academic advisor. All notifications should be in writing. Deviation from any program requirements must be approved by the Executive Vice President. Academic pro­ grams are subject to change at the discretion of the institution. Certificate pro­ grams are not available to students receiving Veteran Administration benefits.