Columbia Southern University is an independent online college based in Orange Beach, AL that was founded in 1993 by Robert G. Mayes, Jr. The university curated its first wave of degreed programs the following year in Occupational Safety & Health and Environmental Engineering and continued to add a variety of program in the ensuing years.
CSU holds accreditation from the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC) which is recognized by both the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). In addition to the accreditation, Columbia Southern University retains a voluntary membership in HETA (Higher Education Transfer Alliance) to ensure proper student mobility from college to college upon transfer.
Columbia Southern University employs in excess of 1,000 full-time faculty and staff with nearly 50 degree & certificate programs offered through the university. The range of programs span doctoral, master’s, bachelor, associate, and certificate programs at CSU.
A sampling of programs offered include: business, criminal justice, fire science, health information science, occupational safety & health, finance, hospitality, information technology, sports management, project management, emergency medical services administration, environmental management, health care administration, organizational leadership, psychology, human resource management, public administration, and public health.
Admissions at CSU is designed to be a simple, straight-forward process. Students looking to enroll at CSU will need to complete a four-step process that includes:
- Completing an Application for Admissions at CSU
- Wait for CSU to Provide You with a Detailed Report
- Contact the CSU Admissions Team During Open Enrollment
- Schedule Time with Your Academic Advisor
Columbia Southern's admission requirements will vary for students depending on the program they are applying. More specifically, a student applying for a bachelor's degree will have a different set of academic requirements than a student applying for a doctorate degree program. Likewise, admissions requirements for homeschooled students or international students will need to be met in order to gain acceptance into the program.
Online learning modalities can make a huge difference for students. How you learn may differ from another student in your degree program which is why CSU has created options. Students can enroll in a term option, a Life Pace option, or Veterans flexible program. To determine which path is best for you, consult your academic counselor or reach out to CSU to learn more about each type of learning modality.
Get information about CSU by requesting information today and learn more about degree pathways and student disclosures to help make a great decision for your future.
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business And Marketing Studies
- Business Administration
- Human Resources
- Project Management
- Organizational Leadership
- Finance
- Hospitality Administration and Management
- Advertising and Marketing
- International Business
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer And Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Computer And Information Systems Security
Engineering Technology
- Engineering Technology
- Occupational Safety and Health Technology
Health and Clinical Professions
- Health And Clinical Professions
- Healthcare Administration
- Medical Insurance Coding
- EMT and Paramedic
- Mental Health Technician
- Public Health
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Behavioral Science
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts And Sciences
- General Studies
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Natural Resources And Conservation
- Environmental Studies
Public Administration and Social Services
- Public Administration And Social Services
- Public Administration
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Recreation And Fitness Studies
- Sports Management
Security and Protective Services
- Security And Protective Services
- Fire Science
- Police Science
- Law and Justice Administration
- Fire Services Administration
- Homeland Security
- Disaster Management
Notes:
*Amounts for tuition, fees, and supplies are an estimate which are calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only.
**Repayment rates, earnings, and loan payments are estimated to provide a comparative context. For more detailed information individuals are asked to contact the school.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The cost of attendance is approximately $10,500 per year, after the grants, scholarships and other forms of aid are calculated. In order to calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The financial details shown on this page are an approximation. The actual costs may differ, please contact this school for more information.
Note: Financial aid is only available for those who qualify, check with the school for details.
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 95% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 95% | $3,456 |
Receiving Student Loans | 59% | $6,329 |