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UNIT I: THE INTERNET AND DISTANCE LEARNING

INTERNET ACCESS

It is required that CSU students have access to the Internet and a valid 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.

STUDENT CENTER WEB SITE

The Student Center website contains many useful resources for CSU students and can be found by accessing our main website, www.columbiasouthern.edu, and then clicking the “Student Center” link near the top of the page. A partial list of tasks that can be completed at this site are provided below:

Submit an Enrollment Agreement and Register for a Course
Access the Online Bookstore
Login to Blackboard
Login to the Student Access Site
Submit a Tuition Payment
Request a Course Extension

Access the Online Library

STUDENT ACCESS SITE

The Student Access site allows students the ability to view the courses they are currently enrolled in and to submit course papers or projects. The site allows the student to perform the following tasks:

By uploading papers or projects at the Student Access Site, the assignment is processed at CSU faster because the system automatically posts a received date and then forwards the assignment to the appropriate professor for grading.  If you find instructions within your course that state to e-mail an assignment to Student Services, you should disregard these instructions and instead submit the assignment to the Student Access Site for faster processing.

We encourage you to use the site to check if a grade is posted or if an assignment has been received. The data on the site is updated at 7:00 am, 12:00 pm, & 5:00 pm Central Time daily.

The site also allows students the ability to verify the email address that CSU has on file, in the event that you find you are not receiving regular correspondence from CSU concerning your courses.  There is a test button that will send an automated email to the account on file, thus allowing the student to check if their email account is allowing CSU emails.

In addition, the student has the ability to view all automated emails that have been sent.

In order to login to the Student Access site, you must use your birth date and student identification number.  If you did not provide CSU with your valid birth date during the enrollment process, please access the Student Contact Information Update form on the Student Center portion of the main website so your record can be updated. 

You may access this site from the online Student Center at www.columbiasouthern.edu. If you are unable to login, please contact Student Services at students@columbiasouthern.edu.

Listed below are guidelines to follow regarding assignments that may be uploaded at the Student Access Site.

If the assignment submission instructions specify to e-mail the assignment to Student Services, the assignment  should instead be uploaded to the Student Access Site.

E-MAIL

E-mail is the most effective way of corresponding with the university and your professor.  As a CSU student, you are required to have a valid  email address on file. If you do not have e-mail access from home, you may wish to contact your local public library.  Most public libraries provide Internet access for patrons, and will also assist you in establishing a free e-mail account.  Internet access is also available at a number of commercial establishments that rent computer time on in-house computers.   CSU utilizes e-mail to send important information to students. This includes automatic notification of posted grades, course enrollment, course schedules, announcements of policy changes, and CSU information updates which are important to students.  You are responsible for providing CSU with a valid e-mail address and for notifying CSU of an e-mail address change. Please keep your e-mail address up to date by following these two steps:

  1. Access the Student Contact Information Update Form online at the Student Center and submit all updated information.
  2. If your e-mail provider incorporates an automatic spam blocking service with your e-mail account, make certain you allow e-mails from the domain columbiasouthern.edu to be received.  This is very important so that you are certain to receive important automated emails from CSU such as course schedules, grade notifications, etc.  Remember, you can test your email account to make certain you can receive CSU emails. This feature is available from within the CSU Student Access Site.

STUDENT FORUM

You are encouraged to make full use of the Student Forum.  Here you can interact with your fellow students on a wide range of topics. This Forum also serves as a reference site that will enable you to quickly access previously posted questions and answers.

Only Administrators, Faculty, Students and Alumni of Columbia Southern University may access the Forum.  The Forum is designed so that each degree program will appear as a separate forum or group such as "Business Administration" and "Criminal Justice". A "General Discussion Area" Forum is available for non-course specific postings.

Threads are created within these Forums by end users to narrow discussion to a particular topic such as a course of study or comment.  If you do not see a thread for the course or topic you would like to discuss, create a new thread.  The Forum is easy to use. If you need assistance, detailed instructions are available online. To enter the Forum, login to Blackboard and select the “Forum” link provided in “My Announcements.”

Before you can post a message in the forum, you will be required to set up a forum account. For security purposes, we suggest you do not use your Blackboard ID if it is the same as your Student ID number. 

CSU ONLINE LIBRARY

The Online Library provides each student with a multitude of research options, including reference materials, ebooks, and database resources providing access to many full-text online professional journals. In addition to the volumes of information available through this Library, Students and Faculty are supported 24 hours each day by professional librarians. The student should see the CSU Online Library.

The Online Library includes the following features:

Access information (user name and password) to each of the resources on the CSU Online Library is available to students in several ways. You can find logon information in the Announcements section in Blackboard, through your Student Services representative, or through the link and contact information on the Online Library webpage for CSU’s Director of Learning Resources/Librarian, Marsha S. Hinnen.

While using the resources on the library webpage can be a frustrating experience, library research is a skill that improves with practice. Be patient with yourself and review the Help information to learn specific searching tips. Your efforts will be worth your investment of time and energy - the Online Library is vital for student success at CSU!

UNIT II: ENROLLMENT AND REGISTRATION

CSU offers two enrollment systems:  Per-Course Enrollment and Term Enrollment. These systems are explained below. The current tuition rate for each option can be found at the CSU website by selecting Tuition Information.

You will refer to the Applicant Evaluation that you were sent at the time of enrollment throughout your degree program to reference the courses that comprise your degree program.  It is important to keep this evaluation for future reference when enrolling in courses.

PER-COURSE ENROLLMENT

With the Per-Course Enrollment option, enrollment and registration is combined into a one-step process.  Students may enroll in one or two courses at a time. If two courses are listed, this indicates both courses will be started and completed simultaneously within the ten-week period from the course start date.

Before submitting an enrollment form, the student should first access the CSU Bookstore online and verify that the course is available for enrollment.  If the course has been closed, the student will need to choose another course, as CSU will not hold course enrollments pending course activation.

Students utilizing the Per-Course Enrollment system qualify for the CSU Book Grant. Through this grant, textbooks are provided at no additional charge.  If a student withdraws, course materials must be returned if in "like new" condition.  If textbooks are not suitable for return, the student will be responsible for the cost of the text. 

Per-Course Enrollment payment methods include Tuition Assistance, Corporate Billing, Credit Card, Check, & Money Order.  When paying by credit card, students have the option of paying full tuition upon enrollment, or splitting the tuition into two equal payments – ½ of the tuition is due with enrollment and the second half is automatically charged to the same credit card four (4) weeks later.

You will receive a confirmation email to advise that your enrollment has been processed.  Please allow 3 business days for processing your Per-Course Enrollment before calling to inquire about the status. 

Once your enrollment is processed, it will be forwarded to the Bookstore for shipping of your course text.  Orders are processed within a few days of receipt and the delivery date will depend upon where you are located.

TERM ENROLLMENT

The Term Enrollment System is open to all students but is a requirement of students using VA benefits. Unlike the Per-Course Enrollment option that allows a student to begin at any time, the Term Enrollment system uses a scheduled term system. A Term Academic Calendar is published on the CSU website at www.columbiasouthern.edu/term. There are two schedules, Schedule A and Schedule B.  Each schedule is offset approximately 30 days allowing new students to begin a term any month. Each term runs for an eight-week period and has a specific start and end date.  The student will submit a Term Enrollment Form during the registration period and choose one or two courses they wish to take within the eight-week time period for that term.  If two courses are listed, this indicates both courses will be started and completed simultaneously within the eight-week period.

Before submitting an enrollment form, the student should first access the CSU Bookstore online and verify that the course is available for enrollment.  If the course has been closed, the student will need to choose another course, as CSU will not hold course enrollments pending course activation.

Students utilizing the Term Enrollment system qualify for the CSU Book Grant. Through this grant, textbooks are provided at no additional charge. If a student withdraws, course materials must be returned if in "like new" condition.  If textbooks are not suitable for return, the student will be responsible for the cost of the text.  Term Enrollment payment options include Military Tuition Assistance, Corporate Billing, Credit Card, Check, & Money Order.

For more information regarding Term Enrollment, visit the Term Enrollment site at www.columbiasouthern.edu/term.

UNIT III: COURSES AND RELATED PROCEDURES

HOW ONLINE COURSES WORK

Initiate access to your course using the login procedure. Following course access into Blackboard, you will be presented with a personalized welcome page and access to current course study guide materials and important course information. You are advised at course initiation to print the first unit of your study guide along with the corresponding unit exam or Exam. This will enable you to refer to your study guide, read your textbook, and prepare for your unit exam or quiz offline. Proceed in this fashion with each corresponding unit in your study guide.  Please note that course text, exams and quizzes may be updated at any given time.  Therefore, we advise that you not print your assignments too far in advance.

The first screen you will see after you enter your online course is the course announcement section. Please read the welcome announcement for important information. On the left of the screen you will see a button for each section of the course.  After reading the announcement, you should select the “Course Syllabus” section. This section contains important information and requirements concerning the course. Make certain to review the entire syllabus for each course so that you are aware of all course requirements.

There are many advantages to taking courses online:

  1. Online quizzes and exams: All objective questions are graded instantly and the professor grades subjective questions online within a short time period.
  2. No mailing of exam answers: This can save up to 14 days in mailing and processing time.
  3. Online courses include the course study guide.  To facilitate your studies, this guide can be printed unit by unit so you may study offline.
  4. You can access your course anywhere you can obtain Internet access

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SUBMITTING EXAMS AND UNIT ASSESSMENTS

One of the benefits of taking courses online is that you will receive your score of the objective portion of the exam immediately. You may open the online unit exams or assessments multiple times and save your answers. However, an online exam or assessment may only be submitted once.  You are urged to print the assignments and mark your answers on paper first.  You will not be given an opportunity to improve your grade by retaking the exam and/or unit assessments.  Since the assignments are open-book and only the course timeline constraints are imposed, you have an opportunity to check and double-check your answers.

IMPORTANT: To prevent loss of question answers due to a break in your Internet connection or an expired Internet session, follow one of these procedures:

Procedure 1: (1) Print the exam (2) Mark answers on printed copy and prepare essay answers (if applicable) in word processing software (3) Open the exam a second time and mark answers online. If you did not close the exam, click the save button at the bottom of the exam to refresh your session. (4) Mark question answers and copy/paste essay answers into question answer boxes. (5) Once all answers are marked or pasted into the online exam, click the submit button at the bottom of the exam.

Procedure 2: After answering each exam question, click the “Save” button to the right of the question. 

Once an online exam is submitted, detailed results of the exam will be displayed. You can scroll through the exam to review any questions you missed. If an exam contains short answer/essay questions, your professor must grade these questions and you will receive an email when the grade has been posted.

When an online exam is submitted, an e-mail confirmation is sent to you. If a portion of the exam needs to be graded by the professor, your professor will be notified via e-mail. If you notice you do not receive these confirmation e-mails, verify the correct e-mail address is in your Blackboard Personal Profile, and that your spam-filter has been set to allow email from the domain columbiasouthern.edu.  You may also send a test email from the Student Access Site to ensure that you are receiving email from CSU.

Students should contact Student Services as soon as possible if you are unable to submit your exam online.

Uploaded Assignments

Scholarly Papers or exams that contain file attachments such as spreadsheets or graphs should be submitted through the Student Access site (Do not send such assignments directly to your professor). These assignments should be completed as an MS Word document or in the format given in the instructions for that particular exam or assignment. At the top of the document clearly indicate your name, student ID, course number, revision code, and name of assignment. The Student Access Site can be found online in the Student Center. If you are unable to upload your assignment, contact Student Services for assistance.

You will be notified via email when a uploaded paper or project is graded. The e-mail will include the professor’s comments. Please refrain from making grade inquiries for at least 7 business days. The normal processing time for grading a paper, project, or subjective exam is three business days.

Make certain to retain copies of papers, projects, and subjective exam answers. In the even an assignment is ever not properly received at CSU, you will be responsible resubmitting the assignment.

Please do not submit all of your unit exams/quizzes at once. Submit each assignment as they are completed. This will enable your professor to evaluate your level of comprehension of the materials studied and provide you with feedback as exams are completed. In addition, some assignments such as the Online Discussion Board require that submissions be made over a three-week period.

COURSE PROFESSORS

Each course has an assigned professor. Students will be provided with a course schedule and their professor’s contact information by e-mail at the beginning of the course. You may also find your professor’s name and e-mail in the online course by clicking the Staff/Faculty Information icon. You should direct all course related questions to the course professor. All other questions should be directed to the CSU Student Services Department at students@columbiasouthern.edu. The contact method of choice for all CSU Faculty is e-mail.  This provides a written record and more convenient method of communication.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

Each course includes an online course study guide.   The study guide systematically takes you through the course textbook and all supplemental materials.  It will highlight the major areas of learning and provide assignments to enhance and measure learning. 

A list and description of Course Study Guide components is found below.

Course Syllabus

This section includes information as follows:

  1. A course description that highlights the major areas to be covered in this course.
  2. Prerequisites, if required of the course.
  3. Information on your course textbook, including author and ISBN.
  4. A course overview, which is an expanded version of the course description and highlights the major areas covered in the course.
  5. The course learning objectives and what you are expected to have learned upon completion of the course.
  6. The number of academic credit hours that are awarded for successful completion of this course.
  7. Course topical outline which shows the Units included in the course and the subject of each unit.
  8. Course Structure which details the various assignments required of the course.
  9. Online Discussion Board assignment information and procedures, where a discussion board is a required component of the course.
  10. Research or Scholarly Paper assignments and requirements, if required of the course.
  11. Information on how to submit exams and unit assessments.
  12. Information on final examination, when required of the course.  This includes how to select and process the proctor for the exam.
  13. Grading where the percentages for the determination of the final grade in this course are provided.
  14. Communications where CSU contact information is made readily available.
  15. Information concerning the online library.
  16. Information on the Student Forum.

 

Unit Information and Assignments

In most study guides, this section includes:

  1. A summary of the chapters and chapter highlights.
  2. The objectives or what you should learn in these chapters.
  3. Supplemental materials and/or information and locations of this information including textbooks, journals, WEB sites, etc.
  4. Online Discussion Board questions, where required.
  5. Section Exam information for that particular unit, where required.
  6. In some courses, non-graded Chapter assignments or problems with solutions or information where answers are to be found.

Unit Quizzes, Section Exams and Unit Assessments

Each course will include graded unit assignments.  In most courses, there are six unit quizzes containing multiple-choice questions and two Section Exams containing essay questions.

In courses recently revised, there are six Unit Assessments, which contain both multiple choice questions and essay questions. 

The unit assignments should be completed as you proceed through each unit and submitted upon completion of that particular unit.  Assignments should not be held and submitted all at one time.  This allows the faculty and staff to monitor your progress and to assist you with your coursework, if necessary, on a timely basis.

Course Scholarly and Research Papers

The writing assignments vary by course. Every course requires a writing assignment of some type.  To review specific assignments, you should review the Course Syllabus section of each course for which you are enrolled. 

Course professors must approve scholarly paper outlines before the project can be started. 

Scholarly Papers are to be written in the APA format.  Additional information on APA formatting as well as the grading rubric for this type of assignment is included within the Course Syllabus section of each course.

Online Discussion Board Assignment

Online Discussion Boards, also called “threaded discussions,” allow students to participate in course discussions with fellow class members. The Discussion Board is asynchronous, which means that students do not have to be online at the same time to respond to posted activity. Blackboard organizes the Discussion Board into “forums.” There is a forum for each question in which you are required to respond. Within each forum, you will create a new thread when posting your answer to the “forum question.” Thread is an online term that refers to an initial response posted in the forum. When students reply to postings, the postings accumulate and extend the thread.

The Online Discussion Board Assignment will be graded based on a grading rubric that details the awarding of point values for each part of the assignment. 

The grading rubric can be found online at: http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/gradingrubricDB.htm


Each course that contains a Discussion Board assignment will have the information posted within the Course Syllabus.

PROCTORED EXAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Many CSU courses utilize a course comprehensive final examination.  All final exams are to be proctored and are password protected.

Request the final at least seven days prior to when you wish to sit for the exam.

Final examinations are to be administered to you by an approved proctor on a date that is mutually convenient. The student is responsible for selecting a qualified proctor, and the proctor must be pre-approved by the University. Your proctor must be a responsible and reputable third party.  CSU reserves the right to verify proctor qualifications, require additional evidence of eligibility, or require a different proctor be selected. All proctors are subject to approval.

The following may serve as proctors:

Unacceptable proctors include:

Proctor Approval Procedure

 

 

Proctor Responsibilities

           
Proctors will be sent complete instructions for administering the Final Exam, but the student is responsible for ensuring the proctor understands his/her role before the Final Exam request is submitted.

Falsifying proctor information will result in invalidation of the examination and may be cause for termination from the university.

Final Exam Procedures and Tips:

You must have completed a minimum of 75% of the course assignments and the grades must be posted in your student record before the final exam instructions may be sent to your proctor.  

The following procedures apply to final exams:

STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION

Students are asked to complete a Student Course Evaluation following the completion of each course of study.  This survey is emailed to the student upon completion of your course.  Student Course Evaluations are reviewed and results are tabulated.  This enables the University to measure the effectiveness of the course and to pinpoint problem areas.

For each course, take the few moments necessary to complete the Student Course Evaluation Form, and rate the textbook, study guide, final exam, and course professor.  You may remain anonymous if you wish.  However, should you wish to be contacted by the Dean of Students regarding your comments, please make sure you provide a contact phone number on the survey.

UNIT IV: PAPER GUIDELINES

Many CSU courses will require a paper or project. The requirements of the assignment will be specified within the course. CSU has developed two documents that students should read thoroughly before beginning their first paper/project.  Many adult students fear writing their first paper. However, once the first paper is completed successfully and the student has learned how to properly format the paper to meet APA requirements and how a research paper should be written, writing becomes very easy to most students. CSU provides all the necessary information for you to be successful at writing if you will take adequate time to read and understand the resources provided.

A description of the Writing Guide for Papers and the APA Guidelines Summary documents is provided below.  Both of these documents are available on the CSU website located at www.columbiasouthern.edu. At the site, select Student Center and then Student Resources.

Writing Guide for Papers

This guide has been prepared to help you in the writing of research papers. It provides a simple step-by-step approach that takes you through each phase of the research paper process. This guide should be read through completely and understood prior to starting your first research assignment.  It should then be used as a reference as you complete each step of the research writing process. It also provides detailed information on the APA format that you are to utilize for all CSU writing assignments. This guide makes comprehensive use of the Owl Online Writing Lab that has been made available online to the public by Purdue University. 

APA Guidelines Summary

CSU requires APA formatting for all paper assignments. This document provides a basic overview of what components must be comprise your paper, how to avoid plagiarism, and a review of the main APA requirements that must be included in your paper. Please make certain your paper complies with the requirements outlined in this document before submitting it for grading.

FINDING SOURCES FOR YOUR PAPER

One of the first places a student should begin searching for articles to be used as sources is a Research Database, which normally requires a subscription service to be used. All CSU degree program students have access to such a database via the CSU Online Library. This database allows you to search through thousands of magazines, journals, and trade publications. The majority of the articles found in the database are not available freely on the web.

To access the database, login to the online library, select “Articles” and then select the database link provided. Before submitting your search criteria, be sure to check the box titled “Full Text” so that only complete articles are presented on your results page.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas and representing them as your own without giving due credit to your source of information.  This includes copying word-for-word from a book, magazine, newspaper, website, or any other source without giving credit to that source. 

If you incorporate another author’s writings into your paper, you must put this text in quotation marks, if directly quoted, and cite your source(s). Provide citations when using the ideas of other authors, even if those ideas are paraphrased or summarized in your own words.

Intentional plagiarism is deliberate cheating and includes, but is not limited to:

Unintentional plagiarism can occur when a writer commits the following acts:

Remember, whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism remains a very serious academic offense.

Why should you be concerned about plagiarism?

Perhaps Toby Fulwiler and Alan R. Hayakawa in The College Writer’s Reference, 3/e, say it best:

In many countries, it is customary to use another writer’s words in your writing.  This is done to demonstrate knowledge; to honor intellectuals, writers or philosophers; or to rely on the words of an authority to add credibility to your writing.  Although there is nothing wrong with this practice, if you are not extremely careful about diligently acknowledging each time you use the words, thoughts, or teachings of someone else, you [could] be accused of plagiarism.  It is not enough to rearrange the words or to replace them with synonyms; even if you completely rewrite the words of the original, you are still borrowing the ideas of another person.  U.S. schools treat the idea of plagiarism very seriously, and you could find yourself in serious trouble if ever accused of plagiarizing. (2002, p. 112)

While other cultures may not insist so heavily on documenting sources, American institutions mandate academic honesty as a standard.  CSU is an international university in scope, but remains an American institution subject to the laws of the United States.  In the USA, plagiarism is not only an academic offense but may also reach legal circles.  For instance, any work created in the USA after 1 March 1989 is automatically protected by copyright, even if there is no copyright notice attached to the work. This means that a plagiarist could be sued for copyright infringement, even if the infringement is unintentional.  Worse still, a plagiarist who knows he or she is not the true author of a work but who willfully and deliberately puts his or her name on the work (thereby concealing the true author’s name), potentially commits the crime of fraud.

In addition to the legal issues surrounding plagiarism, the practice is unprofessional, unethical, and dishonest.  Plagiarism misrepresents the work of another as your own, thus cheating your source of due recognition and your professor of due respect. Copying papers or even parts of papers without acknowledging your sources denies proper credit. Students enrolled in college courses learn and grow as a professional and as an individual.  When students elect to plagiarize, they never fully engage themselves in the academic world of research and learning, never learn to creatively express thoughts and ideas, and create materials which when assessed by professors, never earn the proper feedback. Students compromise themselves of growth and never benefit from a professors’ response to the independent needs and skills of students.

How do you avoid plagiarism?

Generally, writing a research paper is none other than writing an informed opinion paper. When writing research papers, students draw upon others’ words and ideas to support their own words and ideas.  Scholarship entails researching, understanding, and building upon the work of others, but scholarship also requires that proper credit be given for any “borrowed” materials, i.e. for any words or ideas used that are not the student’s own.

Remember, using words, ideas, or any work by someone else without giving proper credit is considered plagiarism.  Any time you use information from a source, you must cite it.

The term “source” includes published works (books, magazines, newspapers, websites, plays, movies, photos, paintings, and textbooks) and unpublished sources (class lectures or notes, handouts, speeches, interviews, other students’ papers, or material from a research service).

Tips for Avoiding Plagiarism

Fulwiler and Hayakawa in The College Writer’s Reference, 3/e, provide the following helpful tips for avoiding plagiarism:

Place all quoted passages, even a single brief phrase, in quotation marks, and always provide source information.

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SUBMITTING THE PAPER

If the course requires a paper proposal or outline, you must submit this to your professor for approval prior to starting the paper.

The paper/project will need to be in MS Word or Rich Text File (RTF).  You should submit the assignment online at the Student Access site.  You are encouraged to upload your assignments at this site for faster processing.  Your assignment is sent directly to the professor for grading, and your student record is updated to reflect that you have submitted the assignment. Do not e-mail the assignment directly to your professor or to Student Services.

CSU PROCEDURES FOR GRADING AND PROCESSING PAPERS

The first step a Professor takes when a paper is received is to check the paper using a plagiarism prevention site called Turnitin.com.  The site uses a comprehensive database system, which compares a student’s paper to all papers previously submitted. In addition, the Turnitin database stores information of papers and text found on the Internet. Therefore, Turnitin provides the professor with a report that reveals what text has been copied from other sources and if the paper is an original work or not.  By using this tool, CSU protects the integrity of its programs and the hard work students put into earning their degree.

Once a paper passes the Turninin.com scan, the professor grades the paper as per the grading rubric. Click the link below to view the CSU Grading Rubric for Papers.  Be certain to read the rubric completely.

CSU Paper Grading Rubric
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/downloads/gradingrubric.htm

Some items that can often cause point deductions in regards to APA formatting and Use of References are as follows. Make certain not to make these mistakes.

  1. Lack of valid in-text citations.
  2. Reference List that does not meet APA requirements. All sources identified through in-text citation must also appear on the reference list.
  3. Lack of a valid title page
  4. Not using appropriate font size , margins, and double spacing
  5. Proper use of headings as required by APA
  6. Lack of page header with page number

In addition, points are often deducted for the following type items:

  1. Quality of writing
  2. Bad Grammar, spelling, and punctuation
  3. Lack of Originality. Points will be deducted based on the percentage of the paper that is comprised of non-original work. For example, if 20% of the paper consists of paragraphs that have been simply copied and pasted into the paper, 20 points will be deducted.
  4. Lack of Introduction.
  5. Lack of Conclusion

HELPFUL APA WEBSITES

The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing: http://www.nutsandboltsguide.com/apa.html
(Excellent APA site that includes detailed examples. If you are writing your first paper and need examples on how to properly format in-text citations, the reference list, and other APA formatting items, this site should be your main resource.)

A Sample Paper and Guidelines: http://valencia.cc.fl.us/lrcwest/apapaper.html

Comprehensive Writing Site by Purdue University: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html#other

How document and site sources (including online sources): http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html


COMMON MISTAKES IN WRITING

For your benefit, below is listed some common mistakes seen by students who do not take the time to study the Writing Guide and the APA Requirements Summary.

  1. Unintentional Plagiarism: Student incorporates the appropriate number of sources into the paper. The paper has a logical flow and the student transitions well from one paragraph to another. The paper is the student’s own work and does not contain several or more paragraphs of text copied from other sources. However, the student fails to cite many of the sources in the paper.
  2. Copy and Paste Paper with Proper Citations: The paper does contain in-text citations and is mostly APA formatted. However, the student has simply taken blocks of text from different sources and pasted them into the paper. The paper reflects very little of the student’s own work.
  3. Copy and Paste Paper without Proper Citations: The paper is comprised of blocks of text copied and pasted from a few sources. The student has not cited the sources within the paper or in the Reference List. The paper reflects very little of the student’s own work and is plagiarized.
  4. Not Properly Incorporating Sources: The above examples reflect a common mistake of students not properly writing the paper or incorporating sources. The paper must have a flow and sources are to be used to back up the point the writer is making. For example, when quoting or paraphrasing a source, the writer should lead into the quoted information as follows: According to John Smith (2004), “Plagiarism results in the dismissal of students each year” (p. 24). The writer may then wish to paraphrase information form another sources to continue the point that plagiarism is a serious problem. For example, the writer could continue with the following sentence: In 2003, professors caught on average ten instances of plagiarism by students each semester compared to fifteen instances in 2004 (Sample Author, 2003). Normally the writer would continue with his or her original writing to continue the point or reflect on the information from the two sources. A sample reflective statement could be as follows: This information suggests that plagiarism is a serious and growing problem at most institutions.
  5. In Text Citations: Students often do not properly include in-text citations in their work as required. It is not enough to list a course on the Reference List. In the paper body, the sources must be identified when used with a citation that normally includes the author, year, and page reference. A complete bibliographic citation has two parts: (1) the in-text citation in the body of the paper, and (2) the bibliographic reference in the reference list. An example of each is listed below.

    6. Part 1: In Text Citation

    According to Robert Prentice, Cruver, a former Enron employee, described Enron as an organization where money was the only yardstick and ethics had little place in anyone’s decisional calculus (2003, p. 6).

    Part 2: Reference List

    Prentice, R. (2003). Enron: A Brief Behavioral Autopsy. American Business Law Journal, 40 (2), 417-444. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from Academic Search Elite Database.

    For more information and examples of how to properly format citations and references, review the following webpage: www.nutsandboltsguide.com/apa.html.

  6. Reference List Not Properly Formatted: Be certain to properly list each source in the reference list. This does not mean provide a list of web addresses or magazine titles. APA style has specific guidelines to referencing sources. The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing site link provided above provides excellent examples of how to properly list references.
  7. Writing an Analytical or Argumentative Paper: The two basic types of research papers are Analytical and Argumentative. Students often write a paper that makes no analysis or argument. The following site compares the two types of papers and gives information needed to determine which paper type will be written. It is imperative that students understand these differences so that they know the paths to take in research and writing of the paper. Pay special attention how a research question is used in analytical papers and a thesis statement is used in argumentative papers.
    http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/types.html

SAMPLE PAPERS

Taking the time to carefully read and review sample APA papers will greatly assist you in grasping APA formatting along with the proper writing style of a research paper. Links are provided below to several sample papers.

http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/social_sciences/pdf/Hacker-Shaw-APA.pdf

http://valencia.cc.fl.us/lrcwest/apapaper.html

http://www.thewritesource.com/apa/aparesearch.htm

UNIT V: UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND INFORMATION

POLICY OF NONDISCRIMINATION

Columbia Southern University provides equal educational opportunities and does not discriminate with respect to race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical handicap, age, marital status, sex or status (i.e. disabled veteran).

ACADEMIC COURSE LOAD POLICY

At CSU, students are allowed to progress as quickly through their program of study as they are able, but within defined parameters. Owing to personal and professional obligations, the majority of CSU students take seven to ten weeks to complete a course. However, there are some students who may wish to progress through their program of study at a faster, but unacceptable, pace.

Accelerating course completion beyond what is academically sound defeats the purpose of study, because little is comprehended and even less is retained. In addition, it is most likely that admissions counselors and prospective employers will unfavorably view transcripts that reflect “breakneck” speed of program completion.

To address this issue, CSU has an Academic Load policy. The policy that is outlined below restricts students from setting a pace that is viewed as academically unsound.

Per-Course Enrollment (10-Week Courses)

CSU Per-Course Enrollment allows students to begin a course at any time. Students may take one course after another or multiple courses simultaneously. The Dean of Students must approve all requests to take more than nine credit hours (3 courses) in any 10-week period. Students who request to take more than nine credit hours (3 courses) in any 10-week period must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The maximum course load allowed is twelve credit hours within a 10-week period. Course load limits remain in place even if a student completes their course load before the end of the 10-week period. No single course may be completed in less than a three-week period.  (Note: Students who take seven credit hours or more in any 10-week period are deemed to be full time students.)

Examples

Example 1: A student desires to take twelve credit hours (4 courses simultaneously) and obtains permission to do so from the Dean of Students. The student begins all four courses on December 1st. The 10-week period ends February 9th. The student completes all four courses by the 8th week. The student has taken the maximum course load and therefore must wait two weeks until the 10-week period ends on February 9th before beginning any additional courses.

Example 2: A student does not seek approval for the maximum load of 12 hours and therefore may take up to 9 hours (3 courses) within a ten-week period. The student decides he/she does not wish to take more than two courses simultaneously and registers for six hours (two courses). The courses begin on December 1st. The 10-week period ends February 9th. The student completes the two courses by the 8th week. The student has two weeks remaining in the 10-week period in which 9 hours may not be exceeded. The student has two choices. (1) He/she may wait until the 10th week ends on February 9th and begin two or three courses simultaneously; (2) He/she may begin one course immediately on the 8th week and begin one or two additional courses after February 9th.

Example 3: The student desires to focus on one course at a time and complete each course quickly. Per the policy, the student does not seek approval to take twelve hours in a 10-week period and is therefore limited to a course load of nine credit hours. The policy also states that the minimum time a student may complete a single course is three weeks.

Therefore, at a minimum the student should spread his/her assignment submissions over a three-week period. A final grade for the course will not be issued before the 3rd course week ends. The student may begin the 2nd and 3rd course at any time because the student has not reached the 9-hour limit for a 10-week period. If the student begins a new course on the 3rd week of the first course and again on the 6th week, the student has reached the nine-hour limit on the 6th week. If each course is completed in three weeks, the 3rd course would be completed approximately on the 9th week. The student must wait until after the 10th week of the first course before beginning an additional course.

Term Enrollment (8-week terms)

The Dean of Students must approve all course loads over seven credit hours. Students requesting course loads over seven hours must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The maximum course load allowed is nine credit hours (3 courses). A student may seek approval to take courses in overlapping terms. If approval is granted, the course load during the overlapping period must comply with this policy even though the courses are in different terms. Course load limits remain in place even if all course assignments are submitted before the end of the term. Course Grade Reports will be issued at the end of the term. Note: A full-time load in an 8-week term is 6 hours or greater (2 courses).

Students may not be enrolled in more than two terms at any given time.  This means that all coursework from the previous term must be completed and submitted even if on course extension, before enrollment in the third term will be processed.

Term Enrollment Explanation:
With the Term system, there are set start and end dates for each term. A Term is approximately eight weeks in length. Within a term, students may register for up to seven credit hours without seeking approval from the Dean of Students.
Students normally enroll in Terms consecutively within either Schedule A or Schedule B. However, if warranted and approved, a student may take a course in an overlapping Term. For example, a student takes one course in Term 1A and starts a 2nd course one month later in Term 1B. These Terms will overlap for approximately 30 days. Students may not enroll in overlapping terms in an effort to exceed the maximum course load. Because the Terms overlap, they will be considered as one Term in regards to the course load. The example student would only be allowed to take one course in Term 1B because he/she is already enrolled in a course in Term 1A. Because Terms have set end dates, the final course grade will not be issued until the end of the Term.

Term Enrollment Explanation:

With the Term system, there are set start and end dates for each term. A Term is approximately eight weeks in length. Within a term, students may register for up to seven credit hours without seeking approval from the Dean of Students.

Students normally enroll in Terms consecutively within either Schedule A or Schedule B. However, if warranted and approved, a student may take a course in an overlapping Term. For example, a student takes one course in Term 1A and starts a 2nd course one month later in Term 1B. These Terms will overlap for approximately 30 days. Students may not enroll in overlapping terms in an effort to exceed the maximum course load. Because the Terms overlap, they will be considered as one Term in regards to the course load. The example student would only be allowed to take one course in Term 1B because he/she is already enrolled in a course in Term 1A. Because Terms have set end dates, the final course grade will not be issued until the end of the Term.

COURSE ASSIGNMENT COMPLETION POLICY

Students should complete all graded assignments as outlined in the course Study Guide (i.e. unit quizzes, exams, Final Exam, scholarly papers, research projects, discussion board assignments, etc). Failure to complete all assigned coursework can result in a failing grade. 

If a student’s course end date or extension period ends, all course assignments not completed and submitted on that date will be assigned a grade of zero.  The student’s grade will then be calculated based on the weighted scores earned on all course assignments submitted.

For example, if a student completes with a score of 100 on all but one course assignment worth 25 points, a grade of zero would be posted for the 25 point assignment and the student would earn a course grade of 75 (C).

Please keep in mind that not submitting heavily weighted assignments will significantly impact the course grade and is not advisable. However, this will be a decision up to you, the student. The points or weight assigned to each assignment can be found in the course syllabus. The grades students earn on their courses are reflected in the cumulative GPA. When a student's GPA falls too low (below 2.0 for undergraduate, 3.0 for graduate), the student will be placed on probation and possible suspension if the GPA is not raised.

Instead of allowing the course grade to post without all assignments completed, we strongly suggest you apply for a course extension before the course end date, and complete all remaining assignments during the extension period.

Should the student not submit all course assignments and be issued a failing grade, the student will be required to retake the course and pay the full course tuition accordingly.  Coursework may not be submitted for grading once the final course grade has been posted to the student’s record.

A standard three-credit-hour course must be completed within 10 weeks (70 days) from the course start date. 

Term Enrollment has set start and end dates based on the scheduled term. Each term is approximately 8-weeks in length. For Term Enrollment Policies, go to www.columbiasouthern.edu/term

COURSE EXTENSIONS

For Per-Course Enrollment, if you are unable to complete a course within the 10-weeks (70 days) allotted for this purpose, you will need to request a course extension.   The University must receive this request before the end of the original ten-week period.  The extension will provide an additional 30 days to complete the course.  There is a $50.00 fee assessed for a thirty-day extension.   A maximum of two 30-day extensions are allowed for each course. 

Once the student’s course extension period ends, all course assignments not completed will be assigned a grade of zero.  The student’s grade will then be calculated on the weighted scores earned on all course assignments. 

Term Enrollment has a separate course extension policy that differs slightly from the policy above. If you are a Term Enrollment student, refer to the complete Term Enrollment Policies at www.columbiasouthern.edu/term.

 

Special Needs Extension

A Special Needs Extension may be approved for up to 120-days from the original end date. It is reserved for those students who encounter unusual circumstances that prevent them from completing a course within a standard 60-Day Course Extension. The following are required for Special Needs Extension approval:

To request a Special Needs Extension, the student must complete and submit the Special Needs Extension Request Form found at the bottom of this page.  This form includes the reason for the extension and the student’s plan for completion. Please note that approval is not automatic.  The Special Needs Extension Committee will review and decide on the approval of each request. Students will be notified normally within five (5) business days of receipt of request and supporting documentation.

Term students are eligible for the Special Needs Extension, however it will be for a maximum of 60 days from the original course end date, according to CSU's agreement with the Alabama State Approving Agency. Term students can not extend their course any longer than 60 days for any reason.

If approved, the maximum length of the Special Needs Extension will be 120 days from the original course end date. If the unusual circumstance does not allow the completion of the course within 120 days, the student should submit a request to the Special Needs Committee requesting permission to withdraw. The approval or denial to withdraw will be made by the committee. The textbook must be returned before a grade of "W" will be posted to the student's record. Please remember that the withdrawal request must be made before the original end date of a course. Only one Special Needs Extension may be granted for each course.

Students who do not complete the course within the extension period requested will receive a course grade calculated on the weighted scores of all completed course assignments. All assignments left undone will be assigned a grade of zero. If the calculated grade is an "F", the course must be taken over in its entirety and the student will be required to pay the current tuition rates for the course.

If you have additional questions before submitting your request, please contact Carmen Daniel in Student Services at 800.977.8449, ext. 184, or by email: carmen.daniel@columbiasouthern.edu.

To Request a Special Needs Extension, click on the link below and complete the form. The form and supporting documentation may be faxed to Student Services at 251-224-0550 or mailed to Columbia Southern University, Attn: Special Needs Extension Committee, PO Box 3110, Orange Beach, AL 36561. The student may also scan and email the form and documentation to: carmen.daniel@columbiasouthern.edu.

Please remember, request forms that are received without supporting documentation, including submission goal dates, will not be considered.

Download the icon Special Needs Extension Request (MS Word format)

INACTIVE STATUS

Students are expected to work continuously toward completion of their degree program.  Should you fail to submit any coursework within a twelve-month period, you will be considered inactive and you will forfeit any tuition being held by the University.  Should you later wish to return to your studies you will be required to submit a new Application for Admission and pay the $25 Application fee.  At that time, you will be re-evaluated into the most current degree curriculum for the program you were previously enrolled in.  You will be subject to any changed academic requirements, tuition increases, and policy changes in force at the time of re-enrollment.

STUDENT FEES

Online Library Fee = $20.00
Change of Degree program/Concentration Fee = $75.00
Re-Evaluation Fee = $25.00
Extra Credit Assignment Fee = $50.00
Graduation Fee = $75.00
Return check Fee = $25.00
Fee for additional transcripts = $10.00
30 Day Course Extension Fee = $50.00
Change of Payment Plan Fee = $50.00

All fees are non-refundable.  Fees may be changed as deemed necessary by the University. For a current list of fees, visit the CSU Student Center online and select Academic Policies.

STUDENT RECORDS

All student records are retained in full.  All graduate records are condensed to pertinent information, including application, detailed resumes, previous college transcripts, copies of certificates, enrollment agreements, prior learning portfolio, tuition schedule, copies of grades earned at CSU, copy of CSU transcript and diploma.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords a student certain rights with respect to their educational records.  CSU acknowledges these rights and a student’s access to records as University policy. 

GRADING PROCEDURES

Your final course grade is an average of your grades earned on all assignments in the course. Assignments which have not been submitted by the end date of the course (or the extended end date, if on Course Extension), will be assigned a grade of zero.  The final course grade will then be calculated based on the weighted scores earned on all assignments.

The breakdown percentage of each assignment can be found in the Course Syllabus section of your online study guide.  A letter grade will be assigned upon conclusion of the course.  Successful completion of the course requires an overall score of 60% (D) or better for undergraduate level courses and 70% ( C ) or better for graduate level courses.  The following scale will be used to determine your course grade:



A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and below

COURSE RETAKE/EXTRA CREDIT/MINIMUM GPA POLICY

GRADUATE COURSE

Graduate students must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all courses carrying graduate credit.  No grade below C is acceptable for credit toward a graduate degree.  The graduate course in which a grade below C is received must be repeated at CSU. 

The original course will be issued a grade of “R” upon successful completion of the retake.  Grades of “R” are not used when calculating the GPA.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSE

Undergraduate students must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students earning a grade of “D” or below may wish to request an extra credit assignment. Extra Credit Assignments must be requested no later than 45 days after the course completion date. The Extra Credit Assignment must be completed no later than 60 days after the course completion date. Once you have submitted your request, you will receive instructions from your course professor within 2 - 3 business days.  A maximum of 10 points may be earned through extra credit. Please contact Student Services to request an extra credit assignment. An Extra Credit Assignment Fee of $50 will be required. Students earning a “D” or below also have the option of repeating a course.  The original course will be issued a grade of “R” upon successful completion of the retake.  Grades of “R” are not used when calculating the GPA.

Please note:  Extra Credit Assignments are not available if the student has not completed all assignments within the course.  In addition, the student cannot request an Extra Credit Assignment if the student has been found guilty of plagiarism or academic dishonesty.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

Students are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 in undergraduate programs and a 3.00 in graduate programs. Academic standards of performance have been established to ensure satisfactory progress toward a degree.  These performance standards form a basis for the following academic classifications:

  1. Good Standing (Active)
  2. Academic Probation
  3. Academic Suspension

Guidelines and procedures for placing students in the above classifications include:

Good Standing (Active): To be a student in good standing, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for undergraduates and 3.00 for graduates must be maintained.

Academic Probation
Upon the completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours, a student will automatically be placed on academic probation at anytime that his/her cumulative GPA drops below the required minimum. A student will remain on academic probation for 12 credit hours (four courses) unless the student brings the GPA up to the minimum requirement while taking any of these four courses. While on academic probation, a student will have to demonstrate satisfactory progress, and take a maximum of two courses at one time. A student will not be permitted to enroll in a fifth course after being placed on academic probation until completion of the fourth course and once the academic status is determined.

Satisfactory progress requires that a student either raise the cumulative GPA to an acceptable level, or that the student makes progress towards earning the acceptable GPA during the probationary period, as detailed below:

If after completing any of the four courses required for the probationary period, the student raises the cumulative GPA to 2.00 or higher for undergraduates and/or 3.00 or higher for graduates, the student will come off probation and be placed in Good Standing.

If the GPA for the probationary period is 2.5 or higher for undergraduates and/or 3.5 or higher for graduates, but the student does not raise the cumulative GPA to the minimum 2.00 or higher for undergraduates and/or 3.00 or higher for graduates, a new probation period will begin.

Academic Suspension: Should the probationary student fail to demonstrate satisfactory progress, he/she will be academically suspended for a period of not less than 10 weeks.  A student may request a reinstatement after the ten weeks suspension period has expired.  If a second suspension occurs, the student must leave the university for at least six months before being re-instated. The request for reinstatement in this case cannot be made until the six-month suspension period has expired. If a third suspension occurs, the student must wait a minimum of one calendar year before requesting re-admission.

Requests for re-admission must be made to the Academic Dean after the suspension period has ended. .  Readmission following academic suspension will be determined by the readmission committee and is not automatic.

Students who enroll in other colleges or universities while on academic suspension from CSU will not be readmitted to CSU until the cumulative grade point average from these other colleges and universities is 2.0 or higher for undergraduate or 3.00 or higher for graduate.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Cheating or other forms of deception is cause for termination.  Examples of academic dishonesty are:

OTHER CAUSES FOR TERMINATION

DUE PROCESS

Students will receive written notice in the event that the University feels the student’s conduct warrants disciplinary action and/or expulsion. Students may contest the University’s findings and conclusions, with a written challenge directed to the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee will review all written challenges within ten days of receipt.  Soon thereafter you will be notified of the committee’s decision.

Within 15 days after receiving the decision of the Grievance Committee, students have the right to appeal the decision to the President of the University.  Decisions rendered by the President are final.

CONTESTING GRADES

Students who believe a grading discrepancy has occurred should follow the procedures listed below:

  1. Direct your grade challenge to your course professor via email. 
  2. Include in this written correspondence the course name and number, the exam (unit number or final), and the full text of the question or questions at issue, the page number and text that you feel supports your answer. 
  3. Forward a copy of this communication to the Department of Student Services.
  4. Allow 5-7 business days for a reply.

All grades must be challenged within fourteen days from the date CSU posts the grade.

CSU SERVICE PLEDGE

At CSU, you will find our staff ready to assist you. We pride ourselves on providing a high level of personalized service and for going “the extra mile.” We will work hard to solve any problems or issues that arise. If you ever feel you did not receive this level of service, please let us know. In return, you are expected to be courteous and professional in your dealings with CSU staff & faculty.  Abusive language and rude behavior will not be tolerated. 

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REQUESTING A CSU TRANSCRIPT

Once a student has completed their first three credit-hour course and course tuition is paid, the student may request an official CSU transcript. A $10 Transcript Fee applies. A CSU transcript may be requested by using the Transcript Request Form. This form may be downloaded from the Student Center website at www.columbiasouthern.edu. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing.

The transcript will be sent as a sealed “official” transcript to the institution or person indicated on the Transcript Request Form. An "unofficial" transcript may be faxed if indicated on the request form. Please note, the $10.00 transcript processing fee still applies whether the transcript is issued as "official" or "unofficial".

 

UNIT VI: GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION

MINIMUM NUMBER OF SEMESTER HOURS

Transfer credits and credits for prior learning are accepted as described in the CSU Catalogue. However, to graduate from an Associates program, 15 hours must be completed at CSU. To graduate from a Bachelor program, 30 semester hours must be completed at CSU. To be eligible to graduate from a Master’s Degree program, at least 50% of the courses that comprise the program must be completed at CSU. This is in addition to the 1-hour Student Orientation course.

GRADE POINT AVERAGES AND HONORS

A 2.0 grade point average is required to graduate from the Associate program and from all Bachelor programs.

A 3.0 grade point average is required to graduate from all Master’s programs.

To graduate with honors in the Bachelor degree program, you must earn the following grade point average for the honor indicated.

Honors are based upon coursework completed at CSU. Honor graduates must have no grade lower than “C” on their record, and must not have repeated any course at CSU.

Honors are not awarded for the Associate program nor the graduate programs.

PETITION FOR GRADUATION

After you have completed all the courses in your program, you must submit a Petition for Graduation to begin the Graduation Audit process. This form can be completed online from the CSU website. Once the graduation audit is complete, you will be notified of the application status and any requirements that have not been satisfied.

GRADUATION FEE

A $75 graduation fee is to be paid at the time the Petition for Graduation is submitted to CSU. This fee covers the audit of your student records and the processing of your diploma.

DIPLOMA

Your diploma and an official transcript will be mailed directly to the address you provide on the Petition to Graduate form. This normally takes approximately 5 - 6 weeks after submitting the Petition for Graduation and the Graduation fee.

GRADUATION CEREMONY

Each year CSU hosts a commencement ceremony for those graduates who have completed their program. It is not required for the graduate to attend the ceremony, as the diploma and transcript are mailed after processing. However, we encourage all CSU graduates to attend the festivities to be able to meet and mingle with fellow graduates. The university will email all students and graduates information concerning the ceremony as it becomes available. There is a fee for the ceremony, which includes the regalia (cap, gown and tassel). Travel arrangements, including transportation and lodging, are the responsibility of the graduate. The graduation ceremony fee will vary from year to year and will be posted accordingly as information becomes available.

REQUESTING A CSU TRANSCRIPT

Once a student has completed their first three credit-hour course and course tuition is paid, the student may request an official CSU transcript. A $10 Transcript Fee applies. A CSU transcript may be requested by using the Transcript Request Form. This form may be downloaded from the Student Center website at www.columbiasouthern.edu. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing.

The transcript will be sent as a sealed “official” transcript to the institution or person indicated on the Transcript Request Form. An "unofficial" transcript may be faxed if indicated on the request form. Please note, the $10.00 transcript processing fee still applies whether the transcript is issued as "official" or "unofficial".

UNIT VII: ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS

CSU is proud to be accredited by The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (www.detc.org). The DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. This recognition is particularly meaningful because it attests to the high standards of the institution you have entrusted with your education, and the high quality of the program in which you have enrolled.

As an accredited, degree-granting member of the DETC, Columbia Southern University also enjoys full membership in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA is a non-profit organization serving as the national advocate for self-regulation through accreditation. Institutional membership is limited to nationally or regionally accredited colleges or universities.

Columbia Southern University is licensed by the State of Alabama, Department of Education pursuant to the Alabama Private School License Law, Code of Alabama, Title 16-46-1 through 10.

Tuition Assistance is available to all Active Duty, Active Guard/Reserve, and military and civilian personnel of the Army National Guard, through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). 

CSU is recognized by the Alabama State Approving Agency as an Institution of Higher Learning. Students may use their VA benefits at CSU and receive the maximum reimbursement rate available.

Columbia Southern University is an institutional member of the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE is the nation’s umbrella higher education association. Institutional membership is limited to nationally or regionally accredited colleges or universities.

Columbia Southern University is an institutional member of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). CAEL is a national leader in the field of adult learning dedicated to expanding lifelong learning opportunities for adults. Institutional membership is limited to nationally or regionally accredited colleges or universities.

Columbia Southern University is a member of the United States Distance Learning Association. USDLA, a nonprofit organization, was formed in 1987 to promote the development and application of distance learning for education and training.

UNIT VIII: STUDY SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION

             
Good study skills and strategies help facilitate successful completion of courses.  Research suggests that there is no right or wrong way to study. What follows are some useful study tips. Use those that work best for you.

MOTIVATION

  1. Take Some Small Steps toward Your Goal Now!  Get a sense of satisfaction from achieving small goals each day.  Break a study task into small pieces.
  2. Be an Optimist.  Fill your mind with positive thoughts and outcomes. If you falter in your studies, do not listen to the self-defeating voice inside you.  A failure is just another opportunity to succeed. 
  3. Be a One-Minute Course Manager.  Take at least one minute each day and write down what you must do in your course to achieve your goal. Chart a course.  The time you spend in mapping out a study strategy will enable you to move more quickly.
  4. Pay Attention to Your Thoughts.  Thought always precedes an action.  When we limit our thinking we limit our motivation to act.  Use positive thoughts to put your goals into action.  Every day list some of your most creative and exciting thoughts.   From time to time during the day pause and think about your goal, picture it and talk about it in your mind.
  5. Analyze Your Study Plan.  Is there a way it could be better organized?  Is it organized to utilize your dominant learning techniques? Does your study place foster creativity and sharpen your focus? 
  6. Read Aloud for Your Next Reading Assignment.  Chances are you will retain more for a longer period of time when you read aloud.   Put key information from your reading on a tape recorder.  This will enable you to study while you drive, exercise, etc. 

TIME/SELF MANAGEMENT

  1. Set up a Time Management System that Works for You.   If you learn best in the morning, read and study before work.  When your things-to-study list gets boring try recreation.  Use planners and time organizers that are colorful and imaginative.   Make a time/study plan and follow it.  Have a study area where you can concentrate.  Establish a study priority list for the day and week.  Keep your stacks of work/study material out in your study area.
  2. Make Use of Integrating Time.  The strategy is combining different tasks at the same time so all are accomplished.  As you look at a number of daily or weekly tasks, ask yourself whether you could accomplish two or more at the same time. 
  3. Make Use of Several Study/Time Management Techniques.  Divide a big assignment into small pieces that can be done one at a time.  Start with an easy and enjoyable part of your study task.  Have a study area where you can concentrate.  Examine your procrastination patterns and break them.  Make a commitment to someone about your study plan for the week.  Get a tutor if you need extended assistance.

READING TEXTBOOK ASSIGNMENT

The reader of a college textbook must decide what is important to learn, and read with the goal to understand and comprehend information for long-term recall.

One of the keys to successful reading is concentration; accordingly, you should find a quiet place to study that is free of distractions.   There are several reading models around to put into practice.  One such model is “The Action Reading Plan” consisting of three steps: Get an overview, Read actively, and Recall the Material.

GET AN OVERVIEW

Why? Getting the big picture regarding a topic, chapter, or section will better enable you comprehend and retain the details you will read later.  Most of us learn details better when we can relate them to a meaningful whole. How? Quickly skim over your textbook to gain a sense of how it is organized and what it concerns. Review author’s background, index, table of contents, preface, glossary, headings, sub-headings, and summaries.  Skim through the sections or chapters before reading them in detail.

Try to answer these questions:

  1. How is text organized?   
  2. What is the general thrust of each chapter?
  3. What do I already know about the subject matter?

READ ACTIVELY

Why? This process will involve you in the material, facilitate comprehension and, and increase your retention.  How? The following suggestions will assist you in this process.

  1. Pre plan how much you intend to read at one sitting.
  2. Work on sections of the chapter rather than trying to read the whole chapter non-stop.
  3. Ask questions before each section or paragraph.  Comprehension and retention improve when you read for a purpose.   A suggested question is: What in the paragraph, section, or chapter do I need to know?  Questions you formulate may later appear on exams. 
  4. Actively read a paragraph or one short section at a time.  Read with a pencil or marker underlining key (but only key) concepts, ideas, or words.  After you finish a full paragraph or a headed section, jot in the margin, cues and small notes you find helpful.

RECALL THE MATERIAL

Research on retention of acquired knowledge indicates that immediate recall and practice is important.  How?

  1. After you have read a paragraph or section, answer your questions in a summary, using your own words.  If you have difficulty with this step you may want to review the paragraph or section again.
  2. Look at marginal or mapped notes you have made which serve as cues and try to recall the material they represent.
  3. After you have read several paragraphs or sections, try to tie main ideas, concepts, and facts together into a whole that is meaningful to you. 
  4. Link the main ideas to something you already know.

ORGANIZATION AND PREPARATION FOR WRITING

Writing papers can be an enjoyable experience when you take the time to plan and organize. The key is to have a format or “blueprint;” for your paper design. For example, if you intend to prepare a paper on how technology has changed marketing strategies, the following suggestions will assist you in this process.

  1. List several focus ideas you have for the paper you intend to write and rank them in logical sequence. 
  2. After you have decided on the direction your paper will take, begin to collect the data and documentation, and sources from which you will draw in preparing your paper.
  3. Jot down thoughts regarding your course of study during the week at various times.
  4. Begin “free writing”—just write as it comes—refrain from judging what you’re writing or from trying to choose correct words.  You can edit later.  Use clustering as “free writing” put your subject in the center of a piece of paper and write as rapidly as possible all the thoughts that “pop” into your brain.
  5. From the “free writing” form a rough thesis sentence—what the paper is about.
  6. From this sentence make an outline and begin writing by filling in your outline.
  7. Try this form to structure your outline:
    • Introduction- your opening statement or quotation, questions you will attempt to answer and terms you may need to define if it is to be a technical paper.
    • Body - The first aspect you choose to introduce is based on what you are trying to emphasize. The second aspect should flow from the first aspect. The third, fourth and other aspects are tied in to each other and continue to make the body of the paper.
    • Conclusion- this section of the paper summarizes your findings and answers the questions you presented in the introduction.
  8. Hints to keep you on track with your paper.
    • Maintain an idea folder for the introduction, body, and conclusion section.  As ideas occur, write yourself a note and put it in your folder.
    • Divide the paper into sections and start writing the one you can do now.  No need to start with the introduction first.
    • If you are working on one section and ideas about another one occurs simply write some notes and insert them in the proper section.
    • Do take breaks while writing; particularly if you start thinking self-defeating thoughts such as, “I’m sick of writing this paper.”  Leave it for a while and do something that you enjoy. 
    • Work on small parts of the paper you can do now rather than trying to tackle the whole project.

MEMORY IMPROVEMENT

Improving your memory requires knowledge of various techniques. Select from these methods appearing below, those that work best for you and practice.  Just because you have read and understood your textbook assignment does not mean you have retained this material.   Most of what you have read in the last l0 minutes is in your short-term memory.  More than likely you won’t be able to recall this material tomorrow unless you use methods to move it to the long-term memory.   Review the following long-term memory techniques.

  1. Get the “Big Picture” of a subject area before you attempt to learn the specifics.  Skim your whole textbook, section, and/or chapter before you read page by page.  The concept is that we remember better when we can relate the parts to the whole.
  2. Space your learning over a period of time.  Try to take large and small breaks between study times.  For example, you are likely to be more successful in retaining material in three two-hour sessions than one six-hour session.  Even in the two-hour session you should pause occasionally and reflect on something other than what you are reading.
  3. Create meaningful associations.  When you have to remember a number of details, group them together in a common association that has meaning to you.  For example you may want to create a chart that groups common terms and definitions by color.  You could make a form of diagram that groups common theories or concepts.
  4. Practice the principle of recitation.  Simply recite aloud to yourself the key ideas you have just read from you textbooks or notes. For many people this is the best memory technique of all.
  5. Visualize relationships. Create a picture of the information you are trying to learn.  Draw the main topic in the center of the page.  Arrange subtopics about the main topic around the center. Use words numbers, symbols, and colors and pictures to organize your information.
  6. Use mnemonic methods for aiding memory.  Mnemonics techniques require that the items to be remembered be organized in personally meaningful and concrete ways.  For example, the acronym MASH is encoded as Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

EXAM PREPARATION

 Following are additional methods associated with increased success on tests.

  1. Plan an overall study strategy for the exam.  Survey what you need to know for the exam. How do your notes, the text or any assignments relate? Decide how much of the material you already know and what you do not know.  Write down any information that you need to know.  Review flashcards, outlines and any summaries you have made during the term.
  2. Know what was emphasized and what you are expected to know.  Review you course study guide and text.
  3. Study and Review actively.  Read actively by reviewing chapter sub-headings and topic sentences recalling the important points.  Recite them, write them, say them, hear them, and picture them.
  4. Read the test questions and directions very carefully.  Be alert to read the questions as they are, not as you would like them to be.  Make sure you understand the kinds of answers expected.
  5. Answer easy questions first.  Working on questions that you are prepared to answer is one method to reduce test anxiety.
  6. Be aware that in objective and multiple-choice tests the question may have a best answer and not necessarily a correct answer.  If this is the case, work toward selecting the best answer from those available.
  7. Pay particular attention to the wording of questions.  Watch for qualifiers such as all, must, some, great, much, little, and no.  The test maker is interested in knowing when and under what circumstances something is or is not true.  Examine all questions containing negative wording such as not or the prefix un.  Read these questions very carefully to assure full understanding.
  8. Handling excessive test anxiety.  Some amount of test anxiety is beneficial.  It can facilitate test performance by increasing alertness and motivation.  However, excessive anxiety can result in poor concentration, carelessness, and poor test performance.  If find the prospect of sitting for your exam particularly unsettling, follow these suggestions:
    • Avoid stressful situations just before exams.
    • Think calm and relaxing thoughts about yourself, and talk to friends who make you feel good about yourself.
    • Arrive at your exam room only a few minutes early, and review what you know about the subject.