South University is expanding its campus in Royal Palm Beach to include an additional 30,000 square feet of labs, classrooms and office space. With this expansion, the campus will now offer additional programs in demand for the future.
South University operates nine campuses in seven states. It has had a campus in Palm Beach County since 1983. It also offers distance learning classes online.
The campus was previously located on Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach, but relocated to a newly built campus at the corner of Belvedere Road and State Road 7 two years ago.
Some of the new programs that will be introduced due to the expansion are an associate’s degree and doctorate in occupational therapy, a specialty that is in high demand.
The South University campus in Royal Palm Beach has big plans for this new building, Campus President David McGuire said.
McGuire anticipates that the new programs and amenities will put the campus on the forefront of higher education. He specifically pointed out a planned physicians assistant program. “That will be in another two years from now because of the programmatic procedures required,” he said.
The campus will continue to offer the health degree programs it’s known for, such as its nursing programs. With the new building, the university will be expanding existing programs as well. “We will be offering various master’s level programs in nursing, and our family nurse practitioner programs, including a psychiatric nurse practitioner degree on the drawing board,” McGuire said.
Although South University is best known for its nursing programs, it also offers numerous programs in a variety of other fields, from criminal justice to business. “We offer advanced academic careers that many people in the community are unaware of, like master’s degrees in business and information technology,” McGuire said.
The new two-story building is the second of three buildings planned for the Royal Palm Beach campus. South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the same group that accredits Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College. “We are held at the same standards, and we certainly feel as though we exceed those standards as a regionally accredited university,” McGuire said.
There are 1,100 students enrolled at the Royal Palm Beach campus. “We have a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio,” McGuire said. “We employ 25 full-time faculty members and 52 adjuncts each quarter.”
According to South University’s demographics, its typical student is a 26- to 28-year-old female. “Eighty percent of our students are females,” McGuire said. “They tend to come to us with previous college experience and are managing a family or work life aside from their education.”
South University caters to non-traditional students, many of whom are continuing their education and obtaining advanced degrees.
“Non-traditional students are typically older, beyond normal college age, employed full time, with a family or have other commitments outside of school,” McGuire said. “Our students are a little more focused than students who go to college for the first time.”
The admissions process is made to run smoothly with help from an admissions counselor, who informs students about the programs and the proper requirements for enrollment.
South University expects to hold a grand opening ceremony for the new building sometime in February. The campus is located at 9801 Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, visit www.southuniversity.edu or call (561) 273-6500.
Above: South University’s expanded campus in Royal Palm Beach.
