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CSU's evaluation of your Application does not obligate you to enroll. After we receive your application, CSU will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your prior academic credit and relevant educational training. Within seven to ten working days of receipt of your application and supporting documents, we will prepare a detailed Evaluation Report. This report will outline those courses we have determined you should take and those courses for which we have accepted transfer credit. The Evaluation Report will provide you all the information you need to make an informed decision about enrolling at CSU. In addition, the application and evaluation process provides you an opportunity to see for yourself the quality of service CSU offers.

The Admissions Process

1. Application

Click here to complete the Application for Admissions. You may fax corresponding documentation to 251-224-0540. You should include transcripts of prior academic credit earned (copies will suffice for evaluative purposes). This includes military transcripts, if applicable (AARTS for Army, SMARTS for Navy/Marines). If you do not have student copies of your transcripts, request them from the appropriate university or college and have them sent directly to CSU. If you will not be submitting transcripts from a University or College, you must include proof of a high school diploma or GED. In addition, please include copies of your professional licenses as well as copies of professional certificates that list CEU's awarded or classroom hours attended.

Incoming Transcript Request Form (this form is used to request transcripts from other Universities or Colleges be sent to Columbia Southern University on your behalf for evaluation.)

For additional information on "Experiential Learning" see below.

Please indicate on your application if you are eligible for tuition assistance through either DANTES or VA We will be certain to provide to you the necessary forms you will need to complete.

2. Application Evaluation

Columbia Southern University will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your prior academic credit and relevant educational training. Within seven to ten working days of receipt of your application and supporting documents, we will prepare a detailed Evaluation Report. Documents submitted for evaluation after the original evaluation and prior to enrolling will be subject to an additional Evaluation Fee of $25.00. This report will outline those courses we have determined you should take and those courses for which we have accepted transfer credit. If you would like to take advantage of our Priority Evaluation Service, please enclose an additional payment of $25. This will guarantee that your application will be evaluated within 24 hours of receipt.

3. Enrollment

** Please Note: If you will be enrolling using a Learning Partner discount, please click on the link below to access the appropriate enrollment forms:

Learning Partner Enrollment

Columbia Southern University now offers two enrollment/tuition options. The two enrollment options are outlined below:

1. 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. Students utilizing the Per-Course Enrollment system qualify for the CSU Book Grant. Through this grant, textbooks are provided at no additional charge. A maximum of 10 weeks is allowed for each course. For the active military member, Tuition Assistance pays 100% of the tuition and there is no out of pocket expense.

Online Per-Course Enrollment Agreement (New students only)
(Existing students should access the appropriate form on the Student Center webpage.)

2. Term Enrollment (for use by VA students only)
Students may enroll in one or multiple courses at a time in each term. The first term may include two courses plus the Orientation course. Each term is eight weeks in length. Texts are provided at no charge through the CSU Book Grant. Students using VA Benefits, must enroll in the Term system. For more information and to view the Term Academic Calendar, click here.

Online Term Course Registration Form (New students only)
(Existing students should access the appropriate form on the Student Center webpage.)

4. Begin Your Program

Once you have completed the enrollment process, the first course you will take is OR-1010, Student Orientation. Student Orientation (1 credit hour) is a requirement of all newly enrolled students. Its purpose is to provide the basic knowledge to successfully achieve your academic goals. You will be introduced to course structure, CSU procedures, CSU policies, and other valuable information.

Following your completion of OR-1010 Student Orientation, you will take those core and major/concentration courses required of you in the sequence in which they appear on your evaluation report. General Education courses may be taken in any sequence. Though you may petition the university to alter this established course sequence, we advise that you do not. At the beginning of each course you will be assigned a professor who will be readily available to you via e-mail or phone.

Transfer Credit

Students earn academic credit in a number of ways: Transcripts; Challenge Examinations; Applicable Training and Certificates; Experiential Learning (knowledge and understanding of course content acquired through experience).

Academic Credit

Columbia Southern University accepts transfer academic credit from institutions accredited by agencies that are recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or, for non-U.S. institutions, an accepted foreign equivalent that is listed in the International Handbook of Universities1.

For prior academic credit to be eligible for transfer at the Bachelor's level, grades earned must be a "C" or better; however, a maximum of three courses in which “D’s” have been earned may be considered for acceptance, but only at the time of admission. A “D” grade course completed elsewhere after admission to Columbia Southern University will not be accepted.

Transfer academic credit for English Composition I or II or their equivalent courses will only be accepted if a grade of “C” or better is earned.

For prior academic credit to be eligible for transfer at the Master’s degree level, grades earned must be a "B" or better; however, a maximum of one course in which a “C” was earned may be considered for acceptance, but only at the time of admission. A “C” grade course completed elsewhere after admission to Columbia Southern University will not be accepted.

Credit By Examination

Columbia Southern University accepts credit by examination from the following:

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education (DANTES)

Professional Licenses, Certifications, and Training Programs

CSU uses the guidelines established by ACE (American Council on Education) to determine if certain training programs, certificates, professional licenses, and military training warrant the awarding of academic credit.

The National Guide to Education Credit for Training Programs, published by the American Council on Education.

Guide To The Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services, published by the American Council on Education.

Experiential Learning

The University recognizes that you may have gained knowledge and skills throughout your various work/life experiences and independent learning which may be the equivalent to one of our courses. To receive college credit for experiential learning it must be properly documented utilizing CSU's Prior Learning Portfolio. To assist you in assembling this documentation you'll find easy to understand guidelines and the forms you will need on the Student Services section of the CSU's website.

Following enrollment and prior to graduation, you must complete your Prior Learning Portfolio. If denied, you will be required to complete those course(s) before graduating.

In determining credit for Experiential Learning, the University follows the guidelines suggested by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

Academic credit awarded for Experiential Learning cannot exceed the following:

Associate Degree Programs - Fifteen (15) credit hours of the 61 hours required for degree completion.

Bachelor Degree Programs - Fifteen (15) credit hours of general education coursework; Fifteen (15) credit hours of CSU core and/or concentration courses for a total of 30 hours.

Master Degree Programs - Nine (9) credit hours of CSU major and/or concentration courses.

The Prior Learning Portfolio Guidelines may be downloaded from the Student Center.
Click Here.

In determining credit for Experiential Learning, the University follows the guidelines suggested by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

CSU Policies

Click here to access CSU Policies page.