The Columbia Southern University (CSU) admissions policy and practices do not discriminate against individuals based on age, ethnicity, faith, gender, sexuality, or disability. The University administers educational policies, scholarship programs, and other programs while providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and students with disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws. Applicants under the age of 18 are required to provide parental consent when entering into signed agreements with the University.
Please refer to the CSU website for additional details regarding Title IX.
Undergraduate Programs
Applicants for admission must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent at the time of admission. To be considered for unconditional admission to an undergraduate program, applicants must submit the following:
- A complete application, which includes, but not limited to, a valid phone number, email, physical address, and Social Security number (SSN), if applicable.
- Meet all Admission Documentation Guidelines.
Applicants who self-certify graduation from an approved high school program and/or those who must submit additional documents to meet programmatic requirements may be admitted into a program on a conditional status. Individuals may complete up to 12 semester hours pending the receipt of the required document(s), upon which time the document(s) must be recorded in the student file to remain enrolled.
Homeschooled students must demonstrate successful completion of homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law in which the high school credential is earned. A detailed guide for meeting the CSU admission requirements is available in the CSU Homeschooled Admission Guidelines.
International students must self-certify as to successful completion of the equivalent of grade 12 in a U.S. secondary school and provide evidence of successful completion of a program considered to be equivalent to an accredited high school diploma or GED certificate. In addition, applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. A detailed guide for meeting the CSU admission requirements is available in the CSU International Admission Guidelines.
Master’s Programs
Applicants for admission must:
- Complete an application, which includes, but not limited to, a valid phone number, email, physical address, and Social Security Number (SSN), if applicable
- Possess a conferred bachelor’s degree issued by an accredited post-secondary institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or equivalent, and
- Meet all Admission Documentation Guidelines
Conditional admission allows applicants who have a conferred bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or the equivalent to enroll in a graduate program for six semester hours pending the receipt of required official transcripts.
Doctoral Programs
Applicants for admission must:
- Complete an application, which includes, but not limited to, a valid phone number, email, physical address, and Social Security Number (SSN), if applicable;
- Possess a conferred bachelor’s and master’s degree relevant to the doctoral program and issued by an accredited post-secondary institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or equivalent;
- Meet all Admission Documentation Guidelines
Conditional admission allows applicants who have a conferred bachelor’s and master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution or the equivalent to enroll in a doctoral program for seven semester hours pending the receipt of required official transcripts.
Other General Requirements
Student Identity Verification
CSU must establish the identity of the student who registers in distance education programs. Applicants are required during the admissions process to submit a color image of a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a state driver’s license, state identification card, or U.S. passport. CSU reserves the right to require additional sources of identity verification, such as the following:
- SSN card
- Utility bill less than 90 days old
- W-2 tax form
- Voter registration card
- Current lease or rental agreement
- Vehicle registration
- Current Homeowner’s insurance policy with name and address
International applicants are required to submit a color image of a valid international government –issued driver’s license, national/state/province identity card (including European ID card), or a valid international travel passport. Additional identity verification sources may be required; such as, but not limited to the following:
- Permanent Resident card
- Immigration and Naturalization Service Employment Authorization Card (I-766) (for those working in the U.S.)
- Border Crossing card
Denial/Conditional Probation Admission Decision and Appeal
CSU reserves the right to deny admission to applicants who do not meet admission requirements. Applicants may be admitted conditionally, in a probationary status and the enrollment may be limited in order to demonstrate their ability to successfully complete college-level course work. Factors considered in admission decisions may include, but are not limited to, high school GPA, past academic performance at other post-secondary institutions, excessive course withdrawals, and other indicators of success.
Applicants who wish to appeal the admission decision have the right to do so by providing additional information to support the earned high school diploma or equivalency or supporting documentation which demonstrates extenuating circumstances during the period of substandard performance to registrar@columbiasouthern.edu.