Start South

Start South:
College level courses with a pathway to USA

Start your journey to South as early as 10th grade through USA’s dual enrollment/early college program. Start South provides high school students the opportunity to enroll in courses that earn both high school and college credit while experiencing some of South’s best faculty. Start South offers online and on-campus courses for high school students in search of a learning experience that not only hits the academic note, but also creates a smooth entry into collegiate life as a first-time freshman.

Students qualifying to be Start South students (3.0 GPA and a high school sophomore, junior, or senior) are able to enroll in 100 and 200 level courses for which they meet the prerequisites.

Apply to Start South

Once accepted, students will be contacted to set up an advising/registration appointment. Summer 2025 classes begin June 4, and Fall 2025 classes begin August 19. Course registration for Start South will close the first week of class. Current Start South students will be able to register beginning early April, and new Start South students will be able to register the latter part of April.

For those seeking dual enrollment credit, the high school authorization form can be found in the Resources section. For students taking courses for the college credit only, a current high school transcript can be uploaded in the application portal.

Students can find our Start South Digital Folder under the Resources tab. This document gives complete information on the application process and the registration process as well as a listing of the Start South class sections available for the semester. There are no Start South specific sections for Summer; students will choose from the classes available as listed in the registration portal in PAWS.

April McGuff
Start South Director

April McGuff joined the university with a strong background in secondary education and student counseling. She earned her degree in Secondary Education Language Arts from the University of South Alabama in 2006 and began her career as an English teacher with Mobile County Public Schools. In 2016, she transitioned into school counseling, where she served students at both Theodore High School and Mary G. Montgomery High School.

With nearly two decades of experience in education, April brings a deep understanding of student development and academic support to her role. She is passionate about guiding students through their educational journeys and is committed to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments.

Office: (251) 341-3938
aprilmcguff@southalabama.edu