Admissions Requirements
Undergraduate Programs
Unconditional admission requires applicants to self-certify on the CSU application for admission and provide evidence of graduation from an approved high school program, or the equivalent, deemed acceptable to CSU. Acceptable evidence includes a copy of an official high school transcript indicating the date of high school graduation, a GED certificate indicating state required passing scores or score sheet indicating state required passing scores, a DD-214 indicating successful completion of high school or a post-secondary transcript indicating the date of graduation from an approved high school program. To meet Federal Student Aid (FSA) eligibility requirements at CSU, applicants must be admitted unconditionally.
Conditional admission allows applicants who have self-certified graduation from an approved high school program, or the equivalent, on the CSU application for admission to enroll in a program for twelve (12) semester hours pending the receipt of evidence of high school completion as required for unconditional admission.
- Homeschooled students must demonstrate successful completion of homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law. 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 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.
Verification and Exceptional Cases
All documents submitted for review to determine admission status are subject to verification. If an applicant is selected by CSU to verify successful high school completion, the applicant must provide evidence of high school graduation deemed acceptable by CSU. Applicants may use the CSU Transcript Request Service and CSU will request the transcript on behalf of the student. Verification may also be required if the U.S. Department of Education selects a student for verification and requests validation of high school graduation.
In the event that an applicant is not able to obtain an official high school transcript due to natural disaster, the Registrar 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
Master’s Programs
Applicants are required to submit an official transcript issued by a post-secondary institution accredited by an accrediting agency 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 an official transcript issued by a post-secondary institution 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 master’s degree with two years of business-related professional experience post-baccalaureate
- 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 degree and master of business degree, or a business-related master’s degree with two years of business-related professional experience post-baccalaureate. A detailed guide for meeting the CSU admission requirements is available in the CSU International Admission Guidelines.
Other General Requirements
Per-Course Enrollment Programs/System Conditional Admission
These programs are 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, these programs are not eligible for FSA and students must be disciplined and committed to a rigorous study schedule to ensure successful course completion with the ten weeks allotted. All students enrolling in these programs for the first time at CSU are admitted conditionally and in a provisional academic status for twelve (12) semester hours to demonstrate successful academic progress. Upon continuation in the program beyond 12 semester hours, the student may be admitted unconditionally into the declared academic degree program if all other requirements are met.
Copies/Official Documents
CSU must receive official transcripts from post-secondary institutions previously attended in which transfer credit is considered. Students may send copies of transcripts or documents during the initial admission period and enroll as a student on conditional status (FSA 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 universities or programs not accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency 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 is CSU permitted to forward them to a third party.
Denial/Conditional Admission Decision and Appeal
CSU reserves the right to deny admission to applicants who do not meet admission requirements. Applicants may be admitted conditionally and in a probationary status 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, 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 which demonstrates extenuating circumstances during the period of substandard performance 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 OSX10.6 or later (for a list of OS/browser compatibility, visit help.blackboard.com)
- Internet Connection: Minimum Download Speeds of 128Kbs, Minimum Upload Speed of 128Kbps
- Software: Software: Students must have software capable of creating, editing, and saving Microsoft Office document files (.doc, .docx), Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files (.xls, .xlsx), and Microsoft PowerPoint presentation files (.ppt, .pptx).
- 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: help.blackboard.com