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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2006

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South University Launches First Online Master's Degree Programs

Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration and Master of Science in Criminal Justice Degrees Provide Students with Online Access to Advanced Education

SAVANNAH, GA – South University (http://online.southuniversity.edu) has announced the launch of three online master's degree programs: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration (MBA/HCA) and Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ). Courses will begin Spring Quarter - April 3.

"Each program is designed to provide baccalaureate graduates and professionals with advanced educational opportunities regardless of geographic, lifestyle or physical constraints," said South University Chancellor John T. South III. "The three new master's degree programs represent the first online graduate programs to be offered by South University. We specifically selected to launch these programs because they represent three of the faster growing areas of study in the U.S."

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a 48-credit/12 course program designed to provide students with a process-based curriculum versus the standard functional-based curriculum. The U.S. Department of Labor's 2006 – 2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook forecasts a growing need for qualified financial managers as a result of: "regulatory reforms and the expansion of the economy" <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos010.htm>. The Handbook also predicts that marketing jobs are expected to increase: "faster than the average for all occupations through 2014" <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos020.htm>.

Unlike many traditional MBA programs that view organizations as a collection of marketing, operations and finance silos, South University integrates these functional areas in the same holistic approach patterned after today's most successful organizations. The foundation provides a firm grounding in economics, decision making, behavioral sciences and strategic environment. The core presents a cross-functional approach to the long-run and short-run decisions that must be made to deliver goods and services to constituents. Students may choose a specialization or mix courses for a general MBA.
The Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration (MBA/HCA) is a 48-credit/ 12-course program designed to train students for a leadership role in the burgeoning healthcare delivery system. The 2006 – 2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook states that: "employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014, as the healthcare industry continues to expand and diversify" <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos014.htm>.

The program is based on the philosophy that healthcare leaders require strong business competencies and management skills to be successful. The curriculum is designed to prepare students with a sound foundation in business analysis and decision making, followed by a specialization in healthcare administration with courses in policy and administration.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is a 48-credit/12-course program designed to serve the growing number of individuals in the criminal justice system who desire a post-baccalaureate education, as well as those in more traditional public and private employment who may wish to acquire further education in criminal justice. The program has a limited prerequisite requirement to enable students with baccalaureate degrees in related fields such as criminology, psychology, business or public administration, anthropology, political science, sociology or related social sciences to enroll along with students with undergraduate degrees in criminal justice.

The MSCJ prepares students for management, administrative, research and teaching positions. It is primarily designed to foster a learning community of criminal justice professionals who will use industry-relevant knowledge within law enforcement, correctional, political and legal arenas. Program graduates will also be prepared for admission to doctoral programs in criminal justice, criminology and other related fields as well as for promotions within existing law enforcement, correctional, local and state government and legal institutions.

The 2006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook projects that: "employment of private detectives and investigators will grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014" <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm>. Similarly, overall employment with state and local government is expected to increase by approximately 11 percent through 2014 <http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs042.htm>. Moreover, as the number of qualified candidates exceeds job openings in Federal law enforcement agencies and in most State police departments—resulting in increased hiring standards and selectivity by employers—an MSCJ is particularly relevant to today's criminal justice professionals <http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm>.

The Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration and Master of Science in Criminal Justice programs join the University's previously-established online degree programs: Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). All of South University's online degree programs engage students with vibrant interactive communities, a faculty of skilled instructors and career-oriented courses that reflect South University's rich tradition of academic excellence.

South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University offers educational programs at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels with campuses located in Savannah, Ga., Columbia, S.C., West Palm Beach, Fla. and Montgomery, Ala. Visit South University online at: www.southuniversity.edu. For more information about South University's online programs, call 1-888-444-3404 or visit http://online.southuniversity.edu.

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