Frequently Asked Questions

SGTU is not regionally or nationally accredited. We are a Florida-registered religious institution operating under Florida Statute 1005.06 (1)(f), as recognized by the Florida Department of Education, Commission on Independent Education (CIE). This statute authorizes religious institutions to grant religious degrees for religious vocational purposes. Our programs are designed for ministry and theological development, not for state licensure as a clinical counselor.

Florida Statute 1005.06(1)(f) provides a legal framework for bona fide religious institutions to offer religious degree programs. Institutions operating under this statute are registered with the Commission on Independent Education and authorized to confer religious degrees. This is distinct from regional or national accreditation.

Our degrees are valued within faith-based, ministry, counseling, and non-profit sectors. However, as a non-accredited institution, credits earned at SGTU may not transfer to regionally accredited colleges or universities. Transfer of credits is always at the discretion of the receiving institution. We recommend confirming credit transfer policies before enrolling if transfer is important to you.

We offer six graduate degree programs: Master of Science in Grief Counseling (GCM), Doctor of Philosophy in Grief Counseling (GCD), Master of Science in Group Wellness Counseling (GWM), Doctor of Philosophy in Group Wellness Counseling (GWD), Master of Science in Digital Communication & AI Ministry (DCM), and Doctor of Philosophy in Digital Communication & AI Ministry (DCD). Master's programs have 10 modules and doctoral programs have 11 modules — all self-paced and fully online.

Our programs are designed as 10-month accelerated formats. However, since they are fully self-paced, motivated students may complete them faster. The expected commitment is approximately 6–8 hours per week.

Yes. All coursework, video lectures, PDF materials, quizzes, and assessments are delivered through our online student portal. You can study from anywhere in the world, on your own schedule.

Each module includes video lectures, downloadable PDF study materials, assigned readings, and a graded quiz. Modules are unlocked progressively — you complete one before advancing to the next. Master's programs include 10 modules; doctoral programs include 11 modules with a culminating dissertation capstone.

Click 'Apply Now' on any program page. You will complete an admissions application including personal information, contact details, program selection, and optional transcript upload. Our admissions team reviews every application and responds within 5 business days.

The standard application fee is $50.00 (non-refundable). For a limited time, this fee is being waived. Apply now to take advantage of the fee-free admissions window.

SGTU welcomes working adults, ministry leaders, healthcare professionals, and compassionate believers. There is no minimum GPA requirement. Applications are reviewed holistically, considering your professional background, ministry experience, and commitment to faith-integrated counseling.

Our admissions team reviews applications within 5 business days. Once approved, you will receive an email from Grant James (Director of Admissions) with your payment link to complete enrollment.

Absolutely. Contact our Director of Admissions, Grant James, directly at admissions@southgeauga.com or call 678-466-0714, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM ET.

Tuition is charged per course: $380 per course for Master's programs (10 courses, $3,800 total) and $400 per course for Doctoral programs (11 courses, $4,400 total). You can pay in full or per course as you progress. A Degree Conferral & Processing Fee of $300 applies upon completion. Tuition does not include textbooks, which are purchased separately from third-party vendors.

You may pay in full ($3,800 for Master's or $4,400 for Doctoral programs) or pay per course as you unlock each module ($380/course for MA, $400/course for PhD). Payment is processed securely through Stripe.

Payment is not collected at application. Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive a secure payment link by email. You choose your payment plan at that point.

SGTU does not currently participate in federal student aid programs. We do not offer institutional scholarships at this time. However, our installment plan is designed to make tuition accessible. Some students have obtained funding through church sponsorships or ministry grants.

Day 1–15 from enrollment registration: 100% refund. Day 16–30: 50% refund. Day 31 and beyond: No refund. The application fee and graduation fee are non-refundable in all cases. Refunds are issued within 30 days of receiving a signed Notice of Cancellation form.

Yes. Students have the right to cancel enrollment and receive a full refund through attendance at the first class session, or within 7 days of enrollment — whichever is later. After that, the refund schedule above applies. Contact admissions@southgeauga.com to begin the cancellation process.

Within 72 hours of payment completion, your SGTU student account is activated and you receive access credentials by email.

Yes. If you do not pass a module quiz, you may retake it. Your administrator can also reset quiz attempts if needed. The passing score for all quizzes is 70%.

Programs are self-paced with an expected duration of 10 months. There is no strict time limit, though we encourage consistent progress. Our student dashboard shows your progress across all enrolled programs.

Upon completing all modules and passing all required assessments, your academic record is reviewed by the Dean. Once manually validated and approved, you receive an official SGTU Certificate of Completion with your name, degree title, and date of completion — both by email and as a downloadable/printable PDF.

We do not currently hold in-person graduation ceremonies. We are exploring virtual graduation events. Your certificate is the official recognition of your achievement.