Columbia Southern University Reviews

CSU provides online degree programs. Don't assume that this equates to an easy degree program. The courses are labor intensive in that there is a lot of reading, and writing to complete the assignments. Professors are responsive to e-mails if you have questions. The online CSU library is good, though I found that I needed to use a local university's library for additional material.

This University is perfect for the military member! I have taken classes while stationed in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. I cannot recall ever having an issue with enrollment, tuition, books, or getting support from advisers and faculty. All you have to do is put forth the effort, show a little discipline, and CSU will get you there! My wife is a UCF graduate, and my kids are both USF graduates. All three could not believe the support I get from CSU. I am the last in my family to get a degree, but I can't imagine where I would be without the support from this institution. Thanks CSU!

I found CSU to be both rewarding and challenging ! I have nothing but the highest respect for the staff and teachers ! I am an older student who has been attending school here for several years . They have always been courteous and respectful to me with every situation and question I have had . I am currently enrolled in my last 2 courses before graduation . Anytime I have needed help they have always been there to help me . Like most adult learners the online degree is what allowed me to finish my degree.

I researched on-line colleges for several years before I decided to pursue my degree with CSU. There were two reasons I chose CSU. The first was the fact that they took every one of my community college credits previously earned and transferred them into the BS program. I earned an associates degree in 1988 in IT and some of the programming classes were obsolete by today' s standards and they still accepted them as electives. The second reason I chose CSU was the price. It was about 1/2 the price of other on-line colleges and they even include the text book for free! I even joined one of their partner associations for $35 per year to receive a 10% discount on tuition. When I first started, I decided to just pursue a certificate program in Project Management as I had not been to school since 1988. I signed up for the per-class option where you have 10 weeks to complete 8 units of work. This work can be accelerated if desired. I found that it was extremely challenging work which did involve a great deal of writing. Writing essays proves you know the material and understand it. I would rather write essays than have to cram my brain with facts only to dump them out on a test like regular colleges require. Another plus is the work can be completed at your own pace and time. They give you a suggested schedule to follow which includes two break weeks if you want. I did not take the break weeks and continued on with the next unit hoping to finish in 8 weeks instead of 10 as allotted. I never knew how much time one unit would take me. The unit assessments for most of the classes included 10 multiple choice questions along with 4 essays. I did have one or two classes that had all essays and one or two had a combination of multiple choice/essay/project of some sort. Some of the classes required me to do research on particular topics as well as citing multiple references. As I progressed further into 4000 level classes, they seemed to want me to produce more work. This is by no means an easy degree. I worked my butt off week after week. I had only two classes that required a proctor for a final. I did not like this very much as I had to find an approved person who would come to my house and sit while I took my final. CSU did start a proctor program where you could use your computer and they would monitor you through your computer's camera, but I did not go that route. Most all of my professors were great. I did have one or two that were really picky with my work or seemed aloof at times. I put a great deal of hours into my work as I was determined to get an A in all of my classes which I did. Once I finished the certificate program, I decided to keep going to get my BS. All of the credits received in the certificate program transferred into the BS program. It took me 4 years, 2 months to finish 20 classes for my BS program and I did put in a lot of sweat. I could have easily produced crappy work just to pass a class, but I wanted to prove I was better than that. I had no problem with registration or financials. I took one class at a time and had it set up to pay 1/2 up front and then the rest of the tuition after 5 weeks. They automatically charged my credit card. I graduated in July 2014 with my BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management. My degree has "Summa Cum Laude" printed under my degree name indicating I graduated with a 4.0 gpa. CSU offers many great degree options and they even have partner colleges that you can transfer to if you wish. From the beginning, my advisor was great and walked me through what classes were required and then which classes I could pick from for electives. They even had tutors that can assist with writing and citing your work which I used several times. I would recommend CSU to any one who enjoys working at their own pace and time.

I attend this school right now. The only reason I will continue is because it is a cheap way to get a degree. What I am about to write is based on my experience so any of you that do not like what I write sorry this is just what I have experienced. The financial office screws up my enrollment every single time. I call them and try to work out what ever the issues is and I am told that's just the way we do it. So I get a hold of a supervisor and they say oh no problem we do this all the time. Sounds like the workers are a little lazy to me. One time I signed up for a class because I was at about to finish a course. I told them the day I wanted to start they sent my books and enrolled me right then. I had not finished my class I was taking and was taking the Air Force NCO course and could not do all threethe same exact time. Their answer was to drop the class they could not change the date. I did this not knowing the problems it would cause at my job with CSU saying I dropped the class. We a head ache that was. The very next class they did the same thing again. I called they said you have to drop the class. I said I'm not dropping anything. So I got a supervisor and they said we will just change the start date. Funny. How that works. I sent in a few things to be looked at with the writing center I was told they are not a proof reading service and to this day they never did send me back what I needed checked. So I never use them. If you try to set up more than one class at a time and you want to know if there is a term paper or a proctored test they will not tell you. I work 60 hours a week and I need to know what the class load is so I can adjust my schedule. I took the remote proctored test and it tiok me 2 and a half hours on the phone with Technical support from the school to get my cam to work. Then I had to take a 4 hour test. The best part is I i was charged twice for the same test and when you call the school they say that's not our problem you have to call the company that does it. My bank ended up refunding the $20. I could go on and on. Look at their graduation rate why is it so low? I would say if you want a cheap degree that the quality of education is the same as if you bought a book at the store and came home and read it then this is the school for you. If you want a school that puts more emphasis on APA than what you actually learned then this is a school for you. Like I said I am attending this school cause it is cheap and I need the degree. I am basing this on my experience. If you have had a good one then write a good one. I think this school stinks. Would rather use stronger words but can not. Man there are so many things I would like to say about my experience. None good. Anyways that's how I feel. Stay away if you want a good education. Sorry about spelling writing this on my phone at work.

This is not an Ivy League school so if your looking for Harvard go somewhere else. I'm a full time soldier and father or four and this school is been by far the best school I have attended. I am not able to attend to a brick and mortar institution for several reasons with deployment, TDY, PCS, and going to the field doing so is just not feasible. This school is no cakewalk , but I you put forth the effort you can breeze through the course work. I've attended other schools where you could google 90% of the answers, but with CSU the majority of the answers are essay questions. So you have to read an understand the book. If you try to just copy the answer out o the book the teachers will not count your answer ( believe me I tried). At the end of the day you get out what you put in. I your looking for a quality education, but don't have a lot of money to spend this is they place. I got my BA from a state school and I will CSU is much harder. If you already have a career and you want t move up then all means attend this school. As for entering the job market I really can't speak on that, but for government related jobs. CSU is the key to those career fields.

Columbia Southern University isn't a degree mill. I enjoyed my tour I learned an awful lot the instructors were just awesome. The instructors were there to make sure that we understood, what they were teaching us. Most of my instructors held Doctoral Degrees, and had taught in the field well over ten years. That was a plus to me because I needed to know that they'd worked in the field of what they were teaching me, and wasn't just reading to me out of their textbook. I was an adult learner so I really wanted them to be older than me, that way I was sure to know they would have knowledge. About 98% of my instructors were much older than I was. This is an excellent university!!! There were times when I needed extra help in several of my courses I would drive over to the university, and someone was always there willing and able to assist me. In several of my courses I had midterms also finals that needed a proctor, I would drive over to the university and be proctored I live about 45 minutes away from the university. So for those who are interested in attending Columbia Southern University just do it (smile). The books and materials are shipped to your home most times about two weeks before your course starts, all of your books and material are brand new. Oh the books are your to keep after your course is over. Your refunds are sent out in a timely manner. So please don't believe all of the lies that others write about this university.

I have been attending Columbia Southern University for years - this is an outstanding university !! I obtained by MBA through CSU and I am currently pursuing my doctorate degree. The education that you receive at CSU is outstanding; the courses are challenging; and the professors are excellent. I would gladly refer my family and friends to this university. If you are looking for an excellent university, look no further - enroll at Columbia Southern University. And ..."no"... I do not work there.

This is not a degree mill! I am academically gifted, and I am currently struggling to maintain a 4.0 with this school. The course curriculum is designed not to be a multiple choice, find the answer in the index, and input the answer, type of school. You have to research, think, and relate your experiences and knowledge in a variety of essays, short answers, discussions, etc. It forces you to learn. I easily put 10 hours a week in each of my 8 week courses. Even on flex enrollment plans, I cannot finish the course in a day or two as in most traditional online flex courses. The instructors place their cell phone numbers in their biographies, and on numerous occasions have answered my calls to clarify assignments. They give feedback continuously, and you can improve each and everyone of the assignments, without making the same mistake twice. They are awesome with transferring credit, especially with military. I transferred 72 of 120 credits: 21 from Central Texas, 6 from AMU, 9 from CLEP, and the rest from military training via SMART/JST. The staff/academic advisors are more than willing to answer any question/fulfil any request.

The intent of any college/university is to teach and for the student to learn. I recieved that very service! Each class taken to earn my AAS/Business delivered a set of expectations and once they were met, I realized I had improved my understanding of the subject matter. The course setup is not threatening and the Professors/instructors are well informed, engaging, and concerned with my progress - always providing sound advice in a coaching manner. Simple - they kept me interested and the subject relevant. I am in the military, the flexibility and convenience of the online software made the lessons comfortable and access perfect. The administration staff made every effort to help with every question (and I can be a email stalker). They answered each question, direction and were very thourough when they evaluated my militray schools/experience and previously earned credit, applying it to maximize my college credit. The finance department was great providing sound advice and offering help where and when needed. EVERY question, regardless of department was answered or responded to within a day or less! I have NO complaints! The entire experience earning an AAS was so rewarding, I enrolled in CSUs Bachelor/Business program. The improved awareness and education has developed my career and improved my standing at work. I even have job offers (assuming I complete the BA/Business) that are directly. Def a military friendly school, Def a plus for someone working full time/raising a family! Thanks CSU!