Reviews of Columbia Southern University (University)

Jasmine Bender

Great school!!!!!

Joy Esquivel

Just graduated a couple days ago with my Masters- All the glory goes to GOD--but CSU made it easy for me!!! thanks CSU-great military friendly school!

Sea Mac

I chose CSU for numerous reasons. I am in the military and required class flexibility, CSU gave me flexibility with a choice to condense the semester or take the full nine weeks. As a Master's student, CSU tuition was more than reasonable and included the text books. As with all schools, you get out what you put into it. It isn't regionally accredited, but for the safety professional, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals recognizes the institution and a degree allows for ASP and CSP certification. I'm proud of my academic accomplishments at CSU and I recommend this school to those that choose the safety profession.

Trina Smith

Admissions told me that I needed a transcript from a cosmetology school that has been out of business for years in order to use my Fasfa that the Government already granted me. I was told all week that I was ready to enroll in class now this. Cosmetology has nothing to do with health care management. This School is a joke.....

Mike Huff

My only regret is that I had known about CSU years earlier when I was an enlisted sailor, I could have applied for LDO/Warrant. The professors were readily available. I got a job within two weeks after getting my B.S. in Safety back in 2003. In 2010, I earned my Masters. The course work directly applied toward the Certified Safety Profesdional exam. Working construction, CSU provided the opportunity or me to vompletr my rfucation. The best investment I ever made!

david qualls

Just finished my B.S in Healthcare Administration in Nov 2015.. My degree has helped me land a position as Office Manager with a home health agency. I am now working on my MBA with CSU and have two years until completion. Great school, and the reviews I receive from my instructors are prompt and helpful.

Amanda Szarmack

If I could give this school 10 stars, I would! Every part of my experience with this college has been nothing short of exceptional. From the way classes are set up to the people working at the school, this college excels. The people who I speak with in every office (advisement, registration, financial aid, student services, etc) are always so incredibly friendly and understanding. They are quick to reply and will do anything they can to help you. They do not pass you off to another department but instead go seek the answer for themselves to report back to you instead of passing you around. They are there if you have issues with a professor or a deadline and will do anything to fight for you and your position. The classes are informative and include real life teachings. With the two options of enrollment (lifepace or term), you can always find a class to fit your life and schedule. The classes are very affordable as well. I have never had such amazing experiences with a school and would recommend this to anyone looking to further their education.

Duane Jones

Earned my Associates and Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. Attempted to start my Master's Degree and financial aid wanted me to jump through hoops in order to maintain my financial aid. They lied to me stating the issue was because of the Department of Education. When I called them out on it, they avoided the issue and continued to give me the run around. I went and applied at their sister school, and my financial aid was accepted with no issues. No one reached out to me to try to see if there was any way to rectify the issue. Upper management for the university definitely needs to look into the issues in financial aid and admissions.

Carlyn Barker

I am a mother of five daughters, a full time employee and a wife. My personal schedule is demanding and full. I personally researched over 20 online degree programs. I narrowed it down to three. CSU was chosen for the book grant, the curriculum and the knowledgeable staff. I have not attended college in ten years. My first class was a complete introduction to the dynamics of the classroom setting, how to navigate in their virtual world, who to contact for anything and everything regarding policies, enrollment, library etc. I found that the professors are highly motivating, empowering, particular and challenging. The tuition was extremely affordable. You will find with most online classes as I did in my research that yes, most answers are found in the back of the book. But then you have to examine your own integrity. All the classes I have taken thus far have essays questions that require critical thinking, analyses and preparation. As for the student forum, I am one that can do without that regardless of the school I am virtually attending. It seems as the person who rated CSU as good may have had a bad experience in dealing with a few people that did not offer excellent customer service. As a total package, CSU is excellent and I am so blessed that someone told me about the program.

Deneka Bluitt

great school and excited about starting this fall although this is my first time attending this college.

Christal Dunaway

I have to say I love this school!! I have the best student advisor and before anyone ask NO not a teacher being paid to write this review. I am a Marine and at time I didn't have the time to do assignment or couldn't get to the student centers on base due to training. They always worked with me. I will be finish with B.S. In Criminal Justice in July. and the first in my family to have a degree....Looking forward to my masters and law school.....Despite rumors they are ACE Accredited . my SSgt told me about this school and I have a total of 12 marines that I help enroll. love it

Rashad Dumas

Affordable tuition, accelerated degree programs, and great student support. I completed the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. Good luck to all!

David Houston

I started school with CSU in 2013. Everything was great until recently. A few classes in during an Earth Science class on Unit 1, the professor gave me an AIV (Academic Integrity Violation). This violation was due to not properly citing material which came from the book they provide to you in APA format. She did not give me a warning because this was Unit 1, all she did was write me up for a violation. This happened in May 2014, the reason this is an issue now is because that violation has ruined my chances of graduating with honors because I currently have a 3.82 GPA and will graduate after 3 more sets of classes. APA format was difficult to learn, and many professors won't help you with it all they say is to reference the APA Manuel guide, which doesn't help as much as someone teaching you or showing what you did wrong. I filed an appeal a few days ago, I received a response stating that they are going to stick to their policy and not forgive the violation. Also stating that employers rarely look at honors or GPA. I don't really care if employers look at it, it was a personal goal of mine that I worked really hard at. My main point is that if the professor could have had a bad day or could have been frustrated because other students were not citing in APA properly and took it out on me on Unit 1 without warning. This is pretty pitiful if you ask me. If she did it to me it should be her standard for everyone on every single improperly cited material. I will be finishing the program but I will not return after I receive my bachelors degree in a few months. She invited me back pursue my graduate degree, but that won't be happening. David

Bo Scott

Got my B.S. here, and am finished with my coursework for my MBA, just waiting for grades to be posted. Saw some of the negative reviews...thought I'd chime in. Excellent School, especially for a Veteran like me. Well organized, and if you need support, ask for it, it will be there. Accreditation is not an issue. If they weren't accredited, they couldn't take the GI bill. I found a job with a Fortune 10 company, and they accepted my degree just like any other. Whoever said that in the review down there is wrong. Very well organized class structures, easy to navigate interface, and hell, they even send you the books for the class you register for- automatically and at no additional cost. Not once did they fail to do that. Professors normally have a PHD or other terminal degree. Took a lot of classes, only had issues with one of them, and she's gone. Some were absolutely awesome. That said, it's adult learning. Not everyone gets an A on everything. Do the work, get the grade you earned based on the syllabus and rubric for that assignment...it's not complicated. I apply the things I learned in my classes to my work as a project manager. The direct relevance of the curriculum to today's business environment is outstanding. IF you are looking for a great online school, especially as a Veteran, this is the place.

Carolyn El

This is by far the best University in the US. I surveyed this University among 457 other online Universities and this is ranked number 1 by it's professional leadership. The Admission staff made me feel welcome and took time to embrace my needs. I have only two classes left. 17 weeks. I must include the vacation week. Each class is 8 weeks of rigorous assignments and lessons. They are consistent in their structure so students can't fail if they put forth the effort and have a good worth ethic. This school will rate high on US News and Colleges for its successful strategies in helping law enforcement, Veterans, and simple people like me.

rosie carrillo

Terrible school!!!! Be aware they are scammers!!! Professors will fail you just so you can re take the class . Also if you try to appeal the class hahah good luck they will not appeal it. Waste of time. I would give this school no stars if I could !

John Dokes

I have to wonder about that bad review. I have a Bachelor degree from CSU and it has led to moving up the chain at my current employer. As for no videos--that is bunk. I had 2 classes that featured video requirements. The no interaction with other students is a mixed bag. Before CSU took away their student forum, there was plenty of interaction. After they dismantled the forum (I've been told it is coming back, but no time frame on when--today is 10/2/2012) interaction with other students was still available through those classes which required the posting of answers to a discussion forum open for review by fellow students--I found it less than satisfying. Nevertheless, attending CSU was a postive experience and I would recommend it to anyone. I would also add that CSU provides a lot of bang for the buck. There are plenty of other online colleges who are happy to charge more per class for the same experience.

Two Toned

I started here to finish my Bachelor's degree. I never wanted to go towards a Master's degree but the school makes me feel welcome and appreciated and they are there to help. I have 8 more classes before I get my Bachelor's degree. And I am going to pursue my Master's from here. I work FT but I am still able to get the work done. My old school had work due on different days every week. It was inconsistent. Here it's all due on the same day so no confusion at all.

Cheryl Owens

CSU is exceptionally the best college; I just graduated this week with an Associate of Science, in Health Information Science, however l'm almost too elated to even write how satisfied I am with the college, staff, organizational structure, and etc. In it's entirety. I transferred 27 credits from another college, and 1 year, and 14 days later, I've completed 33 credit hours and have my degree, and I'm so impressed so much so that I'm going to continue on for my BS degree- You Rock CSU!

Bill Prince

I have been attending CSU for little under a year now. Spectacular! That word sums up the experience I have had so far. Being in the military, my schedule can sometimes go a little sideways and the staff and faculty have been nothing but helpful. Every time I have a question about administrative items I simply call up my student services rep and she handles the problem or points me in the right direction. If I'm struggling with a class I simply email the professor and they will take time to help guide me along. And for any military folks out there that are considering this university, CSU allowed 48 semester hours to be transferred from my standard military training to by bachelors degree program with them. That with the few CLEP's that I did over the years and I started college as a Junior.

Cody Hughes

I am married, 29 years old and a father of 2 children. Columbia Southerns online degree program has made it possible for me to go to college full time online and earn an associates in occupational health and sciences and still handle all my daily tasks including work. Without them id be nowhere and without me pursuing my degree to become an HSE consultant id be working hard manual labor the rest of my life.. So it all starts somewhere, sometime, someway! Its never to late, im 29 years old and am more motivated and dedicated then when i was fresh out of high school to become something in life. The staff here at Columbia Southern University will make it all possible for you to start your journey towards success and a career you have always wanted. Shout out to Heather Sayes shes a blessing to me and has been of so much assistance to me through the whole process from enrollment till now shes my go to person for all of it. Thanks Heather! Thanks Columbia Southern for helping me pursue my career and degree in Health and Safety.

Eugene Johnson

Called about the certificate program got one set of information. get another call the next day and get completely different set information. the rep that called today was just nasty to say the least. I'm not too quick to spend my hard earned money on a school if I can not get proper information. Apply at your own risk

T Vandy

A recent graduate with and BS in Environmental Management. CSU has been a great institution for higher learning. The instructors are extremely helpful and fair with the students. Tuition is competitive and having the books included has been a big help. The grading a fair and the instructors will push you to do your very best. I am extremely satisfied and would recommend this school.

DoctorTruth61

Very good and reputable online school. Dr. Carol Jansen however is a disgrace as an educator and an embarrassment to the university as she has the integrity of a paper bag in a hurricane. I suppose every organization has their bad apple but it's not fair when students suffer from it.

Amber Wolf

Enjoyed the coursework - currently working on my MBA - until I reached the Business Ethics course. I am a college instructor and have several other degrees and went from making an A on every single assignment throughout the entire program to barely passing the Business Ethics course due to the instructor. He grades on pieces he doesn't ask for in the rubric and even has the gall to announce to the class that "we should not take offense to his grading". I fully agree with many of my classmates and several other people that have commented here that it's not the best option when choosing schools. There's a reason they schedule you to have this course at the very end when graduation is approaching - if you had this instructor first - no one would continue spending the money to attend the school.

Mess Williams

Great Education.. extremely affordable.

Ashley O

Dont go there! Its not accredited and will not apply for any certifications. Also none of credits will transfer anywhere else. Its all a scam and employers do not recognize them. I will be reporting them to the Better Business Bureau for false advertisement after wasting 25k in student loan for a degree that means nothing anywhere.

Tokeyla Nettles

I enrolled here in September of 2013, and I will graduate on October 27th with my BS in HR Management. I have had the absolute best experience ever. My advisors were there if I needed them, and the student support services center is amazing. I must say I should have gone here sooner. I will be returning to pursue my Masters in January 2018. Great school!

Richard Whitehead

Outstanding experience at CSU. I'm in the military and I completed my M.S in Occupational Safety and Health last year. CSU worked with me when I wasn't able to complete assignments on time because of military commitments. With my CSU degree I was able to go from an enlisted service member to a commissioned officer. I'm thinking about going back to CSU to complete another Masters Program. Every Soldier I come in contact with I recommend CSU to them. What you put into it is what you get out of it.

Coleia Belt

This school staff is not reliable, no answer is never the same. I have been passed around a million times...no one can tell you yes or no. They hide behind emails and hardly ever return calls. NO ANSWER IS NEVER THE SAME. I JUST PUT IN A FEW COMPLAINTS BECAUSE THE SUPERVISOR HU IN MY FACE. THEY WERE NICE IN THE BEGINNING WITH MY AA BUT HORRIBLE WITH MY BA. PLEASE IF YOU WANT A RELIABLE AND REPUTABLE DEGREE LOOK ELSE WHERE.I AM DOWN TO 5 CREDICTS AND OTHER SCHOOLS LOOK AT THEM (CCS) LIKE A DIPLOMA MILL. THE SUP AND CALL CENTER SAID THIS IS JUST A BUSINESS, BASICALLY YOUR JUST NUMBER AND HERE IS MY COMPLAINT My account/student profile has been misshandled by Columbia Southern University. Every Staff and Representative in everu department will tell you something diffrent. I was told by the Financial Aid office that they can hold out the 200.00 but when I called back in at a later date the Supervisor and Rep passed me around as always and said something differnt. Blamed it on a NEW undertrained employee. Said that they could not offer me the chance to enroll and pay the amt owed once my money was granted. The representative LAUGH and said to go borrow the money or get a credic. The supervisor handed the phone over to her and left then came to the phone and HU in the END. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW EMPLOYEES THAT ACTUALLY CARE AT COLUMBIA. INSTEAD OF HELPING PEOPLE THEY SIT BACK AND JUDGE.I have given Columbia Southern over 30,000 for an Education and the Financial Aid dept want to act like Om going to cheat them out of 400.00. I can never get the right answer or response. The notes are always lost or not matching the events that actually occured. They are saying NO to me because of reasons that are out of my control. I need 5 credict and the Rep just said I was a Business to her basically another number. Every department will deny any appeal or review befor accuratly doing research. This treatment has happened to me before when they lost my financial aid award or said something didnt match with the dept of Education. I get nothing but the run around. Once you get a response its always at your expense on thier time. I can honestly say trying to get a BA from CCS has been a nightmare. I just want to graduate and be done. This is the 2nd time Ive been laughed at for not being able pay something at this school the last time they fixed it...this time a lady who could care less did just like the appeal team, review board, student affairs team and did not. My account needs to be reviewed or legal needs to get involved. WHAT AM I PAYING FOR? WHY ARE THEY THERE? EVERYTIME I CALL IN FOR HELP I GET SLAPPED IN THE FACE OR BETTER YET. LAUGH AT...PLEASE ESCALATE THIS ACCOUNT TO THE PROPER PEOPLE AND PLAY BACK MY CALLS AND LOOK AT THE CORESPONDANCE ON MY ACCOUNT AND CALL ME ASAP THEY ARE ASKING MY FOR 440.00 TO ATTEND SCHOOL WHEN I DONT EVEN KNOW WHERE MY NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM. please audit and review my account and see how many times the ball has dropped especially finacial aid. The supervisor said she would email me a decision once she gets in cause she didnt want to talk to me just like she past me around from the start....I want fair treatment ans I dont believe at this point that anyone even cares they respond like too bad soo sad please help....Thanks Ive emailed other department as well of course no call back...GOOD LUCK DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID...IVE GIVEN THEM 35000.00 DOLLARS TOWARDS DEGREES VALUED AT 2.00 AND THEY WONT EVEN ADVANCE ME 440.00 TO FINISH UP 5 CREDICTS....CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ITS FINEST.....

Noell Anderson

I am a freshman now... so far so good!!!! ♥♥

Mike knau

Great friendly staff. Also, the website, classes and required information all very organized and easy to navigate.

Amie Lott

Earned my Associates in Criminal Justice in 2014, decided to move forward with my Bachelor in Arson Investigation and found out that with me being a VAED student I was removed from the payment plan an put on full upfront pay, so it seems I cant afford the full upfront cost and they refuse to work with me getting back on the payment plan that I was on for years with this school. Seems they more focused on money from students over helping students be able to earn an education....

S Valentine

I habe been attending CSU for almost a year now and I love it! I work full time and still able to do my online classes. I literally have less than 2 hours worth of homework for each class for the whole week. When I went to a campus college I was piled up with homework! My GPA has raised dramtically and they always email you a reminder that your homework is due. I was able to transfer all my credits from my prior college which was a big concern for me.

Matt

Great University. I love it. Good for people who are busy and may not have time to go to on campus classes.

Becki Thoman

Best college experience!! Just obtained my BS and now working on my Masters. This school is affordable but academically challenging! The professors are knowledgeable and top notch!

Marc Beainy

Great quality university

Lonnie Smith

I graduated Cum laude in Organizational Leadership the support system and staff are amazing just as caring as a physical campus.

Brian Stroub

SO after a few years of working towards my bachelor degree in fire science, I had to take a year off due to financial and personal reasons. I go to start again and finish my degree and told that the program is no longer offered. Ok no big deal, I have to re apply under the fire service administration program. Well after sending in my re evaluation I am told that instead of my previous 24 credit hours I needed to graduate before in the fire science degree program, I will now need almost 33 credit hours. After talking to my academic adviser, who acted like she was doing me a favor (which she wasnt) it got knocked down to 27. But none of my fire investigator and fire engineer classes count. So in the end do not go to this money hungry terrible school. Do your self a favor and stay far away from this place, and the classes are not that good either. The bottom line: I should have been given the credit I deserve and not screwed over into having to pay for more classes.

Carla Boyken

I've had a wonderful experience while attending CSU.

Jason b

I have been attending CSU part-time for a few years now and will complete my B.S. in OS&H by the end of the year. As someone who works full-time and has a family which I am dedicated to spending time with, my experience at CSU has been overwhelmingly positive. The support staff is beyond amazing. They are always so pleasant to speak with and have such lovely southern accents. Most of the professors are very helpful, and amazingly kind. That is not to say they are overly lenient, but they understand that sometimes life happens and you may have a late assignment occasionally. Again, my personal experience at CSU has been overwhelmingly positive. So allow me to conclude by saying that at this point I am making plans to continue on and get my back my M.S in OS&H.

Mark Rodriguez

My experience at CSU has been outstanding. As a military veteran, going from a classroom setting to an online institution was uncomfortable. The CSU staff went out of their way to ensure the transition went smoothly. The teacher and professor were always available to answer questions and assist in times of need. The experience has motivated me to enroll into their Master's program. Thank you

Etoia Toles-Wilson

Yesterday, was my graduation at CSU @9am. My family and I would like to Thank the CSU family for a great job yesterday.