Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

Applicants are required to submit one of the following documents:

  • An official accredited high school transcript recognized by the U.S. Department of Education showing completion, or
  • Official GED score sheet with passing scores required by the state in which the GED was administered, or
  • Veterans may submit DD-214 indicating that the applicant has completed high school, or
  • In lieu of an official high school transcript, transfer students may self-certify high school completion and provide an official accredited postsecondary institutional transcript in which twelve (12) semester hours have been successfully completed with a grade of “C” or higher in each course and meet quantitative and qualitative factors. Self-certification of high school completion is subject to verification. 
  • International students must provide an appropriately authenticated official transcript issued by a governmental authority that attests to the successful completion of a program considered to be equivalent to an accredited high school diploma or GED certificate.  A detailed guide for meeting the CSU admission requirements is available in the CSU International Admission Guidelines.
  • Homeschooled students must provide an appropriately authenticated official transcript issued by a governmental authority or school supervisor that attests to the successful completion of a state approved program considered to be equivalent to an accredited high school diploma or GED certificate. A detailed guide for meeting the CSU admission requirements is available in the CSU Homeschooled Admission Guidelines.

Exceptional Cases

In the event that an applicant is not able to obtain an official high school transcript due to natural disaster, the Vice President for Academic Affairs will review an admission petition to determine admission eligibility.  In these cases, the student may be admitted conditionally as a Non-Degree Seeking Student and must successfully complete twelve (12) semester hours approved by the Academic Advisor before officially admitted into a degree program.  Please submit supporting documentation to registrar@columbiasouthern.edu.

Petition for Exceptional Case Form pdf

Master’s Programs

Applicants are required to submit an official accredited postsecondary institutional transcript recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating a conferred bachelor’s degree.  International students must provide an appropriately authenticated official transcript issued by a governmental authority that attests to the successful completion of a program considered to be equivalent to an accredited bachelor’s degree.  A detailed guide for meeting the CSU admission requirements is available in the CSU International Admission Guidelines.

Doctoral Program

Applicants are required to:

  • Submit official accredited postsecondary institutional transcripts recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating a conferred bachelor’s and master’s degree,
  • Have a Master of Business Administration Degree, or a business-related degree with two years of business-related professional experience post-baccalaureate, and a
  • Submit a professional business resume
  • International students must provide, in addition to a resume, appropriately authenticated official transcripts issued by a governmental authority that attests to the successful completion of a program considered to be equivalent to an accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree in a business-related discipline to include the MBA.  A detailed guide for meeting the CSU admission requirements is available in the CSU International Admission Guidelines.

Other General Requirements

Title IV

Students who are interested in Title IV funding must submit all official transcripts from previously attended institutions at the time of admission.

Self-Paced/Per-Course System Conditional Admission (Title IV Ineligible)

This course model is designed for adult students with commitments, obligations and schedules that require additional flexibility beyond that offered in standard cohort online programs with weekly deadlines. Because of the additional flexibility, students must be disciplined and committed to a rigorous study schedule to ensure successful course completion with the ten weeks allotted, or within an approved extension period. All students enrolling in this model for the first time at CSU are admitted conditionally and in a provisional academic status for six credit hours to demonstrate successful academic progress. Upon continuation in the program beyond six hours, the student may be admitted unconditionally into the declared academic degree program if all other requirements are met.

Copies/Official Transcripts

CSU must receive official transcripts from post-secondary institutions previously attended in which transfer credit is to be considered. Students may send copies of transcripts or documents during the initial admission period and enroll as a student on Conditional Status (Title IV ineligible). The student must provide official transcripts prior to completing twelve (12) undergraduate or seven (7) graduate credit hours. Official transfer credit will not be awarded until official transcripts are received by the Office of the Registrar. Transcripts from unaccredited universities or programs will not satisfy transfer credit criteria.

All documents provided to CSU for admission become the sole property of CSU and will not be returned at any time, nor will CSU forward them to a third party.

Denial/Conditional Admission

CSU reserves the right to deny admission to applicants who do not meet admission requirements, quantitative and qualitative factors. Applicants may be admitted conditionally and in a probationary status to allow student demonstration of their ability to successfully complete college level course work.  Factors considered may include, but are not limited to, past academic performance or excessive course withdrawals.  Applicants who wish to appeal the admission decision have the right to do so by providing supporting documentation to registrar@columbiasouthern.edu.

Admission Decision Appeal Form 

Technical Requirements

Curriculum at CSU is delivered completely online using the Blackboard learning management system. CSU students must have access to the Internet and an appropriate individual (non-shared) e-mail account in order to complete a program of study at CSU. If personal Internet service is unavailable, you are encouraged to contact local libraries, schools or a public business to locate access to the Internet. The course syllabus, study guide, and examinations are all provided within the online course.

Computer Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows XP or later; Mac OSX10.5 or later
  • Internet Connection: Minimum Download Speeds of 128Kbs, Minimum Upload Speed of 128Kbps
  • Software: Software capable of saving files in .doc, .docx, .xls, and .ppt
  • Plug-ins: Java, Acrobat Reader, Quick Time, Flash Player
  • Internet Browser: A list of certified and compatible browsers can be found at the following site: http://kb.blackboard.com/