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South University-Tampa

Tampa, FL

private forprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Wikipedia
1899
Founded
Private for-profit university
Type
390
Total Students
$18K
Tuition (In-State)
$18K
Tuition (Out-State)
$24K
Avg Net Price
5%
Graduation Rate
6-year
11%
Retention Rate
Special Focus Four-Year
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About South University-Tampa

South University-Tampa: A century-old institution offering career-focused education with an accelerated edge.

South University-Tampa is part of an institution with a rich and adaptive history, rooted in its founding as Draughan's Practical Business College in Savannah, Georgia, in 1899. Evolving over more than a century, this private, for-profit university has continuously aimed to provide career-focused education, adapting its programs to meet the changing needs of various industries and offering pathways for students seeking practical skills and professional advancement in today's dynamic workforce.

A key academic strength lies in its innovative approach to health professions education, exemplified by the School of Pharmacy. South University became the first institution in the Savannah area to offer a health professions doctorate, launching its Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program in 2002. This program is particularly notable for its accelerated format, condensing four academic years of study into just three calendar years, a distinctive feature that appeals to ambitious students eager to enter the pharmacy field quickly. The program holds accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPTE), assuring quality and rigor.

The university has experienced significant growth and transformation, expanding rapidly from its original campus to multiple locations across the United States and embracing online learning, with a substantial portion of its students enrolled entirely online. This strategic expansion demonstrates a commitment to making education accessible to a broader audience. Despite navigating a complex operational history involving various ownership transitions and challenges, South University has shown resilience, consistently working to provide a diverse student body with the tools and credentials needed for professional success.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1899, providing over a century of educational experience.
  • Offers an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, completing 4 academic years in 3 calendar years.
  • The Pharm.D. program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPTE).
  • Became the first university in the Savannah area to offer a health professions doctorate (in 2002).
  • Expanded rapidly to eleven additional U.S. locations and began offering online courses by 2004.
  • By 2013, over 52% of South University students were enrolled entirely online, showcasing learning flexibility.
  • Celebrated a historic graduating class in 2017 with over 3,500 students (Savannah campus).

Timeline

1899
Founded in Savannah, Georgia as Draughan's Practical Business College.
1974
Acquired by the South family, renamed Draughan's Junior College.
1986
Renamed South College.
2001
Accredited at the master's level by SACS, renamed South University.
2002
Launched Doctor of Pharmacy program, becoming first in Savannah area to offer health professions doctorate.
2003
Acquired by Education Management Corporation (EDMC).
2004
Expanded from main campus to eleven other U.S. locations and began offering online courses.
2015
Former parent company (EDMC) ordered to forgive over $100.8 million in student loan debt due to False Claims Act violations.
2017
Removed from SACS probation after sale to Dream Center Education Holdings.
2019
Significant workforce reduction, sites closed, and expected transfer to Education Principle Foundation.
🏛️
127 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

1 notable schools within South University-Tampa

💊

School of Pharmacy

Offers an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPTE), uniquely condensing four academic years into three calendar years.

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