History of CSU

One of nation’s first completely online universities, Columbia Southern University (CSU) was developed to meet the demand for alternatives to the traditional university experience. Established in 1993, Dr. Robert Mayes founded the university to offer individuals with demanding and unpredictable schedules a way to achieve their dreams of higher education. Through the years, features such as open enrollment, flexible course structures, and maximum transfer credit have allowed more than 18,000 students an opportunity to fit their education around career and family commitments.

CSU began its venture into online education with environmental management and safety degrees. After two years of increasing enrollments and satisfied students, degrees in business administration, computer science, criminal justice administration, and health administration were soon added to the list. By 2001, CSU was granted accreditation through the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Five years later, CSU was accredited by the DETC to offer a Doctor of Business Administration degree, becoming the first doctoral program offered by the university.

Following the accreditation of CSU, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) and Veterans Affairs approved tuition assistance for all active duty and retired military members. Over one-third of the student body is currently comprised of active duty military. CSU is also one of approximately 140 schools approved to offer up-front tuition assistance through the U.S. Army centralized tuition assistance portal, GoArmyEd.

Since 2004, CSU has developed Learning Partnerships with more than 120 corporations, municipalities, police and fire organizations around the world. Partner benefits range from tuition discounts to application fee waivers and also extend to the spouses and children of employees. Other advantages include promotion of the organization on the CSU website, marketing materials, and at conferences and speaking engagements. Boeing Corporation, Delta Airlines, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and New York Fire Department are just a few of the organizations affiliated with CSU.

While the popularity of CSU online programs continued to climb, 2005 began an era of great change for the university. In September, Dr. Mayes passed away after nineteen weeks of hospitalization. This transition triggered major restructuring of the administration including the appointment of Robert Mayes, Jr., Dr. Mayes’ son and former Executive Vice President of CSU, to assume the role of president.

Today CSU is one of the most rapidly growing universities in the U.S. with a record enrollment of more than 9,500 students. By the end of 2008, a new 67,000 square foot facility will be constructed to accommodate plans to hire at least 100 more employees in the next few years. From 2006 to 2007, staff has increased by 40 percent to ensure that students are all given the individualized attention they deserve. Dr. Mayes’ vision of creating a university designed to give educational opportunities to those trying to build a better future lives on. CSU remains committed to its three core values – providing excellent student service, a flexible learning format for the working professional, and a family oriented working environment for staff and faculty.