Columbia Southern University is an online university based
in Orange Beach, Alabama., that strives to change and improve lives through higher
education by enabling students to maximize their professional and personal
potential.
A subsidiary of Columbia Southern Education Group, CSU
offers online degree programs at the associate, bachelor, master and doctoral
level in a multitude of areas such as occupational safety and health, fire
science, criminal justice, business administration, information technology,
human resource management and health care administration. CSU also features
undergraduate and graduate certificate programs to provide focused training in
specialized areas for adult learners.
CSU provides student-centered support services that are
personal, responsive and geared toward assisting students in achieving their
educational goals. Caring, highly trained faculty and staff generate innovative
educational programs that incorporate the latest instructional technology with
dynamic curriculums and teaching methods. CSU focuses on affordable, quality
online instruction with a general education core that promotes life-long
learning and the success of degree graduates.
As a good corporate citizen, CSU participates in various
community and charitable endeavors and supports the partnerships enjoyed with
numerous businesses, organizations and institutions.
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| Columbia Southern University |
History
One of the nation’s first completely online universities,
Columbia Southern University (CSU) was developed to meet the demand for
alternatives to the traditional university experience. Established in 1993, Dr.
Robert Mayes founded the university to offer individuals with demanding and
unpredictable schedules a way to achieve their dreams of higher education.
Through the years, features such as open enrollment, and flexible course
structures have allowed thousands of students worldwide to fit their education
around career and family commitments.
CSU began its venture into online education with
environmental management and safety degrees. After two years of increasing
enrollments and satisfied students, degrees in business administration,
computer science, criminal justice administration, and health administration
were soon added to the list. By 2001, CSU was granted accreditation through the
Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Five years later, CSU was
approved by the DETC to offer a Doctor of Business Administration degree,
becoming the first accredited doctoral program offered by the university.
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| Columbia Southern University |
Following the accreditation of CSU, the Defense Activity for
Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) and Veterans Affairs approved
tuition assistance for all active-duty and retired military members. Nearly
half of the student body is currently comprised of active-duty military. CSU is
also one of approximately 140 schools approved to offer upfront tuition
assistance through the U.S. Army centralized tuition assistance portal,
GoArmyEd.
Since 2004, Columbia Southern University has developed Learning Partnerships with
hundreds of corporations, municipalities, police and fire organizations around
the world. Partner benefits range from tuition discounts to application fee
waivers and also extend to the spouses and children of employees. Other
advantages include promotion of the organization on the CSU website, marketing
materials, and at conferences and speaking engagements. Delta Airlines, the
National Sheriffs’ Association, and New York Fire Department are just a few of
the organizations affiliated with CSU.
While the popularity of Columbia Southern University online degree programs continued
to climb, 2005 began an era of change for the university. In September, Dr.
Mayes passed away after 19 weeks of hospitalization. This transition triggered
restructuring of the administration including the appointment of Robert Mayes,
Jr., Dr. Mayes’ son and former executive vice president of CSU, to assume the
role of president.
Today, CSU is one of the most rapidly growing universities
in the U.S. with a record enrollment of more than 30,000 students. At the
beginning of 2009, a new 67,000-square-foot facility was completed to
accommodate the growth. Dr. Mayes’ vision of creating a university designed to
give educational opportunities to those trying to build a better future lives
on. CSU remains committed to its three core values – providing excellent
student service, a flexible learning format for the working professional, and a
family oriented working environment for staff and faculty.
Programs
- Associate Degrees
- Bachelor's Degrees
- Master's Degrees
- Doctoral Degree
- Certificates
- Graduate
- Partner Programs
Accreditation & Licensure
 | Distance Education and Training Council 1601 18th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009 202-234-5100 |
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Distance Education and Training Council
Columbia Southern University (CSU) is an accredited member
of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting
Commission of DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a
nationally recognized accrediting agency. All CSU programs have been reviewed
and approved by DETC.
Additionally, the Accrediting Commission of DETC is a
recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
CHEA is a nonprofit organization serving as a national advocate for
self-regulation academic quality through accreditation.
Higher Education Related Memberships
American Council on Education
Columbia Southern University is an institutional member of the American Council on
Education (ACE). ACE is a major higher education coordinating body and
influences public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.
ACE is open to accredited degree-granting colleges and universities and higher
education associations within the United States.
For information on state licensure, please visit:
For information on registering a complaint, please visit:
As per latest report, there are more than 25,000 students enrolling into CSU's undergraduate and graduate programs from 61 countries and territories, such as United States, Canada, UK, Spain, Italia, Netherlands, Egypt, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and more.
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
21982 University Lane, Orange Beach, AL 36561, U.S.A
Tel: (800) 977.8449 Fax: (251) 981.3815
Website: www.columbiasouthern.edu
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| Columbia Southern University |
