School Details
Columbia Southern University is a private and primarily distance learning institution focused on professional and academic success through an innovative academic environment. Earn your degree at the undergraduate or graduate level completely online. CSU seeks to change student’s lives with the help of qualified faculty, academic support and more.
Online associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs are available to the degree-seeking, nontraditional student. CSU provides flexible enrollment options as well as self-paced scheduling opportunities. Earn your degree in business, information technology, health, general studies, and more. Take advantage of competitively low tuition, certificate programs, and a quality learning experience with Columbia Southern University online.
Accreditation & Licensing
Columbia Southern University is accredited by:
Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
All Programs
Business
Columbia Southern University offers the online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This degree equips students with a knowledge of business theories, policies, and procedures that prepares them to assume a responsible position within the world of business. Students also acquire skills in decision-making, problem solving, and leadership.
Students should be able to do the following upon graduation:
- Apply managerial decision making through utilizing best practices in business
- Interpret business concepts, principles, and financial strategies
- Examine the effects of globalization on their work environment
- Analyze financial statements
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Finance. Students of this program will be exposed to a curriculum designed to teach an introduction to all aspects of the business process. Students will learn microeconomic concepts, international economics, accounting, law, ethics, business policy, macroeconomics, international trade, marketing among other topics. Through this education program, a student will be on their way to becoming a professional in obtaining, administering, and managing funds wisely.
Potential career opportunities:
- financial analyst
- financial planner
- financial manager
- entrepreneur
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Hospitality & Tourism. Responsibilities for professionals in this field include working and meeting the needs of people around the world, acting as a manager or director for hotels or resorts, or working in the airline industry in relation to customers. Students involved in this program will be given a specialized curriculum needed for professionals in the field.
Topics of study include the following:
- accounting for hospitality and tourism
- marketing for hospitality and tourism
- law and business ethics
- facilities management
- financial management
- information systems
- resort management
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Human Resource Management. Every firm over a certain size has a human resources department, devoted to meeting the needs of the worker and identifying ways to promote worker productivity and keep workers content with their jobs. This program is the first step for a career as a manager in a larger business environment.
Course work covers the following topics:
- accounting and financial management
- human resources management
- intercultural management
- business law and ethics
- collective bargaining
- employment law
- leadership
- staffing
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Information Technology. Information Technology and Information Systems have become one of the most important parts of a successful business. The people who work in information technology are trained, experienced people who have spent a great deal of time learning programming and developing. This program is the first step for a career as an entrepreneur or as part of a corporate business environment.
Course work topics include both information technology and general business:
- database design and implementation
- business policy and strategy
- systems analysis and design
- web design and development
- programming concepts
- financial management
- law and ethics
- accounting
- marketing
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in International Management. As businesses seek to lower costs and raise profits, individuals who can speak multiple, languages, know local customs and how business is approached are in high demand and short supply. The opportunities for a manager or consultant to work overseas or with others overseas have expanded and become a more important part of business plans.
Course work includes the following topics on international business principles:
- human resources management
- international finance
- international trade
- legal operations
- management
- economics
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Management. Management is the application of leadership to motivate and direct members of a business to achieve the stated goals of the business. These individuals are responsible for communicating the aims of the company and understanding how to direct employees to act and work to meet the goals, no matter if the business being managed is large or small. With this degree, students will develop effective management strategies that are crucial to the success of a business.
Course work covers the following topics:
- organizational communication
- managerial decision making
- international management
- production management
- project planning
- staffing
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Marketing. This degree provides the avenue for students to develop the knowledge, analytical skills, and creativity needed to project consumer needs, translate those needs into products and services, and sell their products for a profit in the ever-changing, contemporary, global economy.
Students will be introduced to and study the following topics:
- knowledge of markets
- product development
- focused strategies
- brand advertising
- research
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Project Management. With this degree, students will learn the skills needed to be good product managers who can get the job done on schedule while meeting required specifications.
Students will be introduced to and study the following topics and skills:
- management of people and schedules
- organizational communication
- managerial decision making
- contracts & procurement
- risk management
- planning
Columbia Southern University offers the online BSBA with a specialization in Sport Management. Professionals looking to get into the field of administration of sports facility or sports team need a specialized education exclusive to sports in their field of study. Students seeking an education in sports management should expect to learn the skills and knowledge necessary for career opportunities including sports facility managers, sports information directors, front office administrators and sport communication/public relation directors.
Students will be introduced to and study the following topics:
- sports legal liability & risk management
- sports facilities management
- sports administration
- sports fund raising
- sports marketing
- sports financing
- sociology
Earn your BSBA / Supply Chain Management online from CSU.
Columbia Southern University offers the online Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. This program prepares graduates to become influential business leaders, equipped with the ability to identify, analyze, and solve complex human resource and management issues. The curriculum includes instruction on the development and implementation of organizational policies and guidelines that create a transformational work environment.
Columbia Southern University offers the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. This program provides students the methods and skills necessary to maximize human capital in organizations, to develop individual and interpersonal skills for achieving successful organizational goals, to enhance positive organizational change, and to foster lifelong learning and continuous growth.
In an effort to teach students how to work with their future employees, course work covers the following topics:
- industrial organizational psychology
- organizational theory & behavior
- negotiation/conflict resolution
- communication for leaders
- social psychology
- business policy
- business law
- leadership
With three different enrollment options and learning paces, Columbia Southern University offers an online MBA program that can fit into your lifestyle. With term-enrollment, you complete assignments at your own pace but work within the framework of a semester. If you have a military background, there is an ultra-flexible VA enrollment plan. However, CSU’s MBA with LifePace Learning ®, allows you to move as quickly or slowly through a course as your own, individual schedule permits. With LifePace Learning ®, you can zoom through a class in as little as 4 weeks or take 18 weeks to complete it. What’s more, with this online CSU MBA format, you can begin classes at any time. This graduate degree focuses on applying strategy and theory to operations in a dynamic business environment.
Be a part of your company’s success story by managing a workforce that is motivated, effective and thriving within your organization. With an online MBA in Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University, you will gain the insight and knowledge to lead change and improve efficiency. This advanced degree parallels the Society for Human Resource Management’s curriculum. CSU’s MBA program offers three different enrollment plans which allow you to choose your own, flexible, learning pace. You can choose to work within semester guidelines, or work completely free-form with LifePace Learning ®. Coursework in the Human Resource Management concentration includes:
- Employment law
- Labor relations
- Collective bargaining
- Compensation management
With an online MBA in Marketing from Columbia Southern University, you have the advantage to learn at your own pace. You can choose to work within semester guidelines, or work completely free-form with LifePace Learning ®. The choice is yours. CSU’s online Marketing MBA will teach you how to strategically develop and lead marketing campaigns. Coursework also focuses on leadership and management skills so you can drive marketing within your organization. Curriculum in CSU’s MBA in Marketing include:
- New product marketing
- Business-to-business marketing
If you work for an organization that could benefit from increased efficiency and productivity, an online MBA in Project Management from Columbia Southern will enable you to head up an improvement initiative. Combining your personal strength as a motivator or influencer along with coursework in project management, you will learn how to successfully plan projects and develop products and systems that work. CSU’s online MBA in Project Management gives you the ultimate learning flexibility. You can choose to work within semester guidelines, or work completely free-form with LifePace Learning ®. The choice is yours. Curriculum within this 100% online degree includes:
- Project management strategy and tactics
- Managing complex projects
- Managing project teams
Learn how to manage public programs and policies with an online MBA in Public Administration from Columbia Southern. With this ultra-flexible program, you will learn how to strategically implement new public policies and change existing policy. You will apply classroom theory to practical situations in a business environment. CSU’s MBA online gives you complete freedom to learn at your own pace. You can choose to work within semester guidelines, or work completely free-form with LifePace Learning ®. Semesters incorporate nine week terms; LifePace Learning ® has no time constraints. Electives within the online Public Administration concentration include:
- Public policy
- Local government
- Public finance and budgeting
- Administration of public institutions
Columbia Southern University offers the online Master of Public Administration. This program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to resolve societal problems. It prepares graduates for careers in public, non-profit, and private organizations in which they can develop, implement, and manage public programs and public policies.
Concentration options:
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Emergency Services Management
- General
Earn your MPA / Criminal Justice Administration online from CSU.
Earn your MPA / Emergency Services Management online from CSU.
Earn your MS in HR online from CSU.
Columbia Southern University offers the online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. This program focuses on current and emerging leadership theories, best practices, skills, knowledge of global events and diverse cultures, and tools used to enable organizational innovation, creativity, and change in complex work environments.
The curriculum involved in this course is for students who are now experienced professionals, seeking advanced education in the following course work:
- business operations analysis methodology
- crisis communication management
- psychology of leadership
- intercultural management
- project team management
- training & development
- strategic management
- strategic marketing
- business ethics
- business policy
Computer Science & IT
The online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology provides a knowledge of business theories, policies, and procedures and are prepared to assume a responsible position within the business industry. Students will study computer fundamentals, e-commerce, information systems management, data communication, systems analysis & design, programming concepts, web design & development, internet & network security. These classes are augmented with management courses for business as well as IT infrastructure management courses.
Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared for a career in information technology in various industries.
Earn your MS in IT online from CSU.
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
You can train for administrative roles within the courts, corrections, or law enforcement with the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. The online criminal justice degree offers such electives as:
- Terrorism
- Race and ethnic relations
- Cybersecurity management
- Critical infrastructure protection
Through the online criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, you learn to develop informed responses and make rational decisions about daily challenges in this field. Your online studies increase your professionalism to enhance your on-the-job performance.
You can learn to investigate the crime of arson with the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration / Arson Investigation from Columbia Southern University. The online fire science degree explores such topics as:
- Analysis
- Forensics
- Fire behavior
- Evidence collection
Through the online fire science bachelor’s degree program, you learn the technical and scientific skills to be highly qualified in investigating fires. Your online studies prepare you for the daily challenges of this field.
You can gain skills in reconstructing criminal activity with the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration / Forensics from Columbia Southern University. The online forensic science degree explores such topics as:
- Judicial process
- Criminal investigation
- Criminal evidence and legal issues
- Criminal justice organization and administration
Through the online criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, you learn to analyze forensic psychology and apply it to criminality. Your online studies prepare you to enter the workforce, advance in your career, or continue to graduate studies.
You can learn from a leader in online education with Columbia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management. The online emergency management degree addresses the best practices and latest industry trends.
Through the online emergency management bachelor’s degree program, you focus on innovation and success. Your online studies offer concentrations in such areas as:
- Fire science
- Homeland security
- Environmental science
- Occupational safety and health
You can take a multidisciplinary approach to leadership roles with fire departments with the Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration / Fire Investigation from Columbia Southern University. The online fire science degree explores such areas as:
- Forensics
- Analysis
- Criminal law
- Evidence collection
Through the online fire science bachelor’s degree program, you gain skills in fire safety, investigation, and administration. Your online studies follow the FESHE model for a relevant education recognized by fire service agencies.
You can take a deeper dive into IT with the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems & Cyber Security from Columbia Southern University. The online cyber security degree explores such topics as:
- Digital forensics
- Planning and audits
- Cybersecurity law and policy
- Cyber warfare and application
Through the online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program, you learn to identify security vulnerabilities and develop policies to safeguard data. Your online studies also cover disaster recovery plans to sustain business operations.
You can train to identify threats with the Bachelor of Science in Military Studies / Intelligence from Columbia Southern University. The online homeland security degree covers such topics as:
- Tactics
- Leadership
- Military logistics
- Communications
Through the online homeland security bachelor’s degree program, you examine the past, present, and future of of intelligence operations to make informed decisions. Your online studies impart analytical and problem-solving skills to carry into the workplace.
You can advance your career and leadership skills with the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. The online administration degree prepares you for such roles as:
- Special agents
- Records officers
- Private detectives
- Criminal investigators
Through the online administration master’s degree program, you focus on theories, technologies, and research methods to unpack the field of criminal justice. Your online studies help you resolve the complex issues facing administrators today.
You can prepare to be a leader in security with the Master of Science in Homeland Security / Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University. The online criminal justice degree explores such areas as:
- Global terrorism
- Theory and research
- Intelligence analysis
- Adult and juvenile correctional systems
Through the online criminal justice master’s degree program, you gain analytical and problem-solving skills essential to this line of work. Your online studies lead to successful careers in investigation, intelligence analysis, law enforcement, and the like.
You can train to work in hazardous materials operations or crisis management with the Master of Science in Homeland Security / Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University. The online homeland security degree examines such topics as:
- Counterterrorism tactics
- Leadership and decision-making
- Interagency disaster management
- Legal aspects of emergency services management
Through the online homeland security master’s degree program, you study the entire disaster cycle. Students emerge from the program as leaders, finding success in such fields as:
- Public safety
- Law enforcement
- Homeland security
- Emergency management
You can become a leader in securing our country with the Master of Science in Homeland Security / Management from Columbia Southern University. The online homeland security degree examines such topics as:
- Crisis communication
- Strategic management
- Information systems
- Business policy
Through the online homeland security master’s degree program, you learn organizational communications and data-driven decision-making. Your online studies prepare you for management roles in public safety, law enforcement, emergency management, and various military roles.
Education
Earn your MS in Instructional Design & Technology online from Columbia Southern University.
Engineering
You can become an environmental professional with the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University. The online environmental engineering program offers such electives as:
- Risk management
- Accident investigation
- Environmental technology
- Legal aspects of safety and health
Through the online environmental engineering bachelor’s program, you examine technology, collaborative practices, and environmental management theory. Graduates have the knowledge and skills to enact remediation or mitigation strategies to environmental hazards.
You can help improve society, the environment, and the workplace with the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management / Sustainability from Columbia Southern University. The online environmental engineering program delves into such topics as:
- Renewable resources
- Biodiversity conservation
- Global climate change
- Environmental impact of industrial production
Through the online environmental engineering bachelor’s program, students can learn to examine sustainability from a manager’s point of view. Environmental issues can be evaluated in relation to corporate ethics, public health, and occupational safety awareness.
Healthcare
Prepare for an entry-level career in healthcare with this online healthcare administration degree. A broad administrative foundation helps graduates assume administrative leadership roles. Focus is placed on business principles and building strong communication skills.
Become competent in:
- Ethics of professional standards
- Assessing the impact of leadership styles
- Managing and developing professional standards
- Evaluating the management of a healthcare organization’s strategic goals
This flexible healthcare administration online degree offers students several scheduling options. Choose between LifePace Learning® and Term enrollment. LifePace Learning® allows students to move through the program at their own pace with no set dates, and the Term enrollment offers a more traditional program with weekly assignments.
Prepare for leadership positions in careers in the safety field with this online occupational health and safety degree. Taught by experts in the field, courses provide a strong foundation in safety and health theory and technology that will allow students to function at the professional level in this industry. The curriculum is a Qualified Academic Program (QAP), allowing graduates to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner® designation, a designation that eliminates the student’s need to sit for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP®) exam prior to taking the Certified Safety Professional (CSP®) exam.
Customize this degree by choosing one of these concentrations:
- Fire Science
- Construction Safety
- Oil and Gas
Choose between LifePace Learning® and Term enrollment. LifePace Learning® allows students to move through the program at their own pace with no set dates, and the Term enrollment offers a more traditional program with weekly assignments.
Prepare for leadership positions in careers in the safety field with this online occupational health and safety degree with a concentration in Fire Science. Taught by experts in the field, courses in the online fire science degree concentration focus on:
- Applying safety and health-related theory and technology
- Formulating solutions to control occupational hazards
- Analyzing workplaces to identify occupational hazards
- Examining fire prevention and protection technologies as they relate to industrial facilities
- Interpreting fire safety codes
The curriculum is a Qualified Academic Program (QAP), allowing graduates to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner® designation, a designation that eliminates the student’s need to sit for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP®) exam prior to taking the Certified Safety Professional (CSP®) exam.
This flexible occupational health and safety online degree offers students several scheduling options. Choose between LifePace Learning® and Term enrollment. LifePace Learning® allows students to move through the program at their own pace with no set dates, and the Term enrollment offers a more traditional program with weekly assignments.
Prepare for leadership positions in safety careers in the Petro-chemical and related fields with this online occupational health and safety degree with a concentration in Oil and Gas. Taught by experts in the field, courses in this concentration focus on:
- Applying safety and health-related theory and technology
- Formulating solutions to control occupational hazards
- Analyzing workplaces to identify occupational hazards
- Examining strategies to control hazards found in the oil and gas industry
- Evaluating hazards present at oil and gas sites and facilities
The curriculum is a Qualified Academic Program (QAP), allowing graduates to apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner® designation, a designation that eliminates the student’s need to sit for the Associate Safety Professional (ASP®) exam prior to taking the Certified Safety Professional (CSP®) exam.
This flexible online occupational health and safety degree offers students several scheduling options. Choose between LifePace Learning® and Term enrollment. LifePace Learning® allows students to move through the program at their own pace with no set dates, and the Term enrollment offers a more traditional program with weekly assignments.
Earn your BS in Occupational Safety & Health / Sustainability online from Columbia Southern University.
Earn your Doctor of Occupational Safety & Health online from Columbia Southern University.
Advance your career in healthcare with the online Master of Public Health degree. The curriculum offers a comprehensive foundation of the core competencies of public health, preparing students for careers in public, private, and international settings. Learn to apply these public health principles in research and practical contexts.
Graduates are able to:
- Interpret the statical significance of epidemiologic reports in studies
- Analyze the etiology of major health problems that affect public health programs
- Analyze factors that influence lifestyle choices and impact public health
- Evaluate the impact of external affairs on health policy
This flexible online public health degree offers students several scheduling options. Choose between LifePace Learning® and Term enrollment. LifePace Learning® allows students to move through the program at their own pace with no set dates, and the Term enrollment offers a more traditional program with weekly assignments.
Earn your MPH / Community Health Education online from CSU.
Advance your career in healthcare with the occupational health and safety master’s degree online. The curriculum helps students understand the depth and breadth of knowledge in safety and health theory and technology that is necessary to lead and oversee the safety and health efforts of an organization.
Courses cover such topics as:
- Safety and accident prevention
- Safety system engineering
- Emergency management
- Training and development
- Toxicology
This flexible online occupational health and safety degree offers students several scheduling options. Choose between LifePace Learning® and Term enrollment. LifePace Learning® allows students to move through the program at their own pace with no set dates, and the Term enrollment offers a more traditional program with weekly assignments.
Earn your Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health online from Columbia Southern University.