Columbus State University
Columbus State University – a four-year institution – serves the educational needs of a diverse region by providing a mixture of liberal arts and professional programs leading to associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees. The University also serves transfer and transient students as well as those seeking certification and licensure. The University maintains a strong core of general education as the foundation of all its academic programs. The University provides a student-centered developmental program for those students who are unprepared for the rigors of college work. The University serves the educational, cultural, and economic needs of its region by providing credit and non-credit outreach programs. In all these endeavors, the University strives to meet the needs of previously underserved populations in its service area.
- The university enrolls over 8,000 students who come to Columbus State primarily from throughout Georgia. The school also is a popular destination for students from Alabama and other states in the nation. The average age of the student body is 26.
- Students may enroll in one of 45 undergraduate degree programs offered in the Colleges of Arts and Letters, Education, Science, and Business, or more than 35 graduate degree programs offered in the Colleges of Arts, Business, Education and Health Professions, and Letters and Sciences.
- The University offers a Doctor of Education with specializations in Curriculum, Leadership, and Higher Education. The higher education track may be taken online.
Accreditation
- Columbus State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and educational specialist degrees, as well as a doctoral degree. The SACSCOC approved degree programs (PDF) are listed with affiliated CIP codes. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Columbus State University.
- The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The master's degree program in nursing at Georgia Intercollegiate Consortium for Graduate Nursing Education (Consortium of Columbus State University and Georgia Southwestern University) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
- Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
- The Georgia Professional Standards Commission approves all Columbus State University educator preparation programs that lead to certification in teaching, school library media, counseling, and educational leadership.
- The Master of Education in School Counseling and the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
- The Department of Art is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
- The Department of Theatre is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
- The Schwob School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
- Columbus State University is accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business to award bachelor's and master's degrees in business through the D. Abbott Turner College of Business.
- The B.S. in Chemistry, ACS-certified track is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
- The Georgia State Department of Veterans Service (State Approving Agency) has approved Columbus State University for the training of veterans and eligible dependents.
- Columbus State University’s Continuing Education has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
- SARA Approved Institution. Columbus State University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.