Accreditation and Affiliations

South College is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to confer 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), 35 Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, IL 60601-2208, (312) 553-9355, upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board of the American Associate of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). The Physical Therapist Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association (CAPTE). The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association (ACOTE). The Elementary Education (K-6) program is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education. The Radiography and Health Science programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

The college is a member of the following professional organizations

• American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
• American Association for Paralegal Education
• American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment
• American Association of Medical Transcription
• Associate for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• Better Business Bureau
• Career College Association
• Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership
• Knoxville Area Health Science Library Consortium
• Knoxville Bar Association
• National Association of Legal Assistants
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• National League for Nurses
• 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 Paralegal Association
• Tennessee Association of Colleges of Teacher Education – TACTE
• Tennessee Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education – TAILACTE
• TENN-SHARE

Degree Requirements

A minimum of eight quarters for associate degrees and fourteen for bachelor degrees is usually necessary to complete a degree program. Students may be required to take day and evening classes in order 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.
2. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. A grade of C or better is required in all courses designated by the program.
3. Complete the placement department exit program and all outcomes assessment exams prior to graduation.
4. Abide by all college rules and regulations and settle any financial obligations to the college prior to graduation.

Students entering a degree program but later decide to change to a certificate program should promptly notify the Executive Vice President 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. minimum of four-five quarters of study is required to complete the certificate programs. Students may be required to take day and evening curses in order to facilitate timely graduation for the college.

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.
2. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. A grade of C or better is required in all courses designated by the program.
3. Complete the placement department exit program and all outcomes assessment exams prior to graduation.
4. Abide by all college rules and regulations and settle any financial obligations to the college prior to graduation.

Students entering a certificate program who later decide to enter a degree program may do so, but should notify the Executive Vice President promptly. Students discontinuing a degree program to pursue a certificate program should also notify the Executive Vice President 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 programs are subject to change at the discretion of the institution. Certificates programs are not available to students receiving Veteran Administration benefits.