Columbia Southern University is a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

for-profit Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or buying and selling products (such as goods and services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for profit." A business entity is not necessari ...

online university A virtual university (or online university) provides higher education programs through electronic media, typically the Internet. Some are bricks-and-mortar institutions that provide online learning as part of their extended university courses while ...

based in Orange Beach, Alabama, United States. It was founded in 1993 and is accredited by the

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is a regional educational accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As of 2022, the organization oversees app ...

and

Distance Education Accrediting Commission The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), formerly the National Home Study Council and then the Distance Education and Training Council, is a private and non-profit national educational accreditation agency in the United States speciali ...

History

Columbia Southern University was founded in 1993 by Robert G. Mayes Sr.Barron's Guide to Distance Learning: Degrees, Certificates, Courses
by Pat Criscito (2002), , page 179History of CSU
, Columbia Southern University website (accessed February 24, 2008) The university developed its first degree programs in Environmental Engineering and Occupational Safety and Health in 1994. By 1996 additional degree programs were developed and offered: The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, followed by Computer Science, Criminal Justice Administration, and Health Administration. Mayes headed the institution until his death in 2005, when his son, Robert Mayes Jr., assumed the presidency. Ken Styron became president on May 1, 2018.

Academics

Columbia Southern University consists of three colleges offering a total of 26 degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels, as well as 21 certificate programs online. CSU also offers nine doctoral programs. The university is

accredited Accreditation is the independent, third-party evaluation of a conformity assessment body (such as certification body, inspection body or laboratory) against recognised standards, conveying formal demonstration of its impartiality and competence to ...

by the

to award associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctorate degrees, and certificates. It is also accredited by the

(DEAC). Columbia Southern has more than 1,000 full-time faculty and staff. It enrolls and graduates thousands of students annually. Columbia Southern also offers online degrees through partnerships with Waldorf University. The university is one of approximately 140 schools approved to offer tuition assistance through the U.S. Army's centralized tuition assistance portal, GoArmyEd.

Student outcomes

Columbia Southern's 8-year graduation rate is 49 percent. Median salary after completing ranges from $32,000 to $70,000.

References

External links

Official website
{{authority control * Distance education institutions based in the United States Educational institutions established in 1993 For-profit universities and colleges in the United States 1993 establishments in Alabama Distance Education Accrediting Commission