Columbus State University

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Degree Programs at Columbus State University

Columbus State University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs For In-State Students. Columbus State University offers several interesting degree programs. They’re designed to help individuals move into a new career or advance in a current career. Columbus State University offers programs in the following schools and colleges:
  • College of the Arts
  • College of Education and Health Professions
  • College of Letters and Sciences
  • D. Abbott Turner College of Business
  • Graduate School
The College of the Arts offers a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production. It requires 126 credit hours and is only available on campus. Applicants gain an understanding of communication skills that include:
  • writing
  • speaking
  • listening
They also develop on-set etiquette skills including pre- and post-production skills. Instruction is also provided in communication history, theory and career opportunities in:
  • film
  • television
  • media
Courses required may include:
  • Group Communication
  • GFA Electric and Lighting
  • Introduction to Film
  • Interactive Media Production
  • Writing for Media
The College of Education and Health Professionals offers the Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Leadership. It has  a higher education administration track. The program is available:
  • on campus
  • online
  • hybrid version
Students get an understanding of accountability required in today’s educational settings. Students are able to identify current needs. They explore those needs. They then implement practices and policies  to address those needs. Courses required may include:
  • Mixed Methods Research in Education
  • Academic Affairs
  • Policy and Politics of Higher Education
  • Educational Evaluation.
Students must also research, write and defend a dissertation. The College of Letters and Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a military and global issues track. The program is available:
  • online
  • on campus
  • hybrid version
The track may be of particular interest to members of the military. However, it’s open to all students. Students gain an understanding of American foreign and defense policy as well as information on race and ethnic relations. Courses required may include:
  • Interpersonal Conflict Resolution
  • Global Economic Issues
  • Moral Philosophy
  • Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics.
The Bachelor of Business Administration in Cybersecurity Management helps students gain skills in problem-solving and decision-making. Students will also learn key business disciplines and concepts. They are able to recognize and analyze ethical issues in a business concept. They will learn how to select and apply appropriate cybersecurity techniques and technologies. They’ll use these to secure all aspects of a company’s assets. Courses required may include:
  • Information Technology Fundamentals
  • Cybersecurity Risk Management
  • Security Auditing for Compliance
  • Fundamentals of Digital Forensics
The Graduate School offers a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Informatics. It’s available online. The program provides hands-on experience solving current healthcare problems including:
  • process improvement
  • project management
  • systems analysis and design
  • decision support
  • database management
  • data analysis
Courses required may include:
  • Applied Statistics and Data Mining
  • Process Improvement for Healthcare
  • Health Information Exchange Standards and Models
  • Health Systems Project Management
  • Clinical Decision Support Systems

About Columbus State University

The idea for a junior college in the Columbus area was first suggested by the Columbus Chamber of Commerce in 1949. The idea took hold. Local citizens raised money to purchase the site where the college was built. When legislation established junior colleges in 1958, Columbus State University opened. It moved to its current location in 1963. The school became a four-year institution in 1965 and local support helped supplement state funding. This allowed the trustees to provide modern facilities and equipment. Today, the school is the only four-year institution in the governor’s 17-county Economic Region 5, providing:
  • cultural enrichment
  • educational opportunities
  • economic development assistance to the citizens, businesses, and industries
It enrolls about 8,200 students.

Columbus State University Accreditation Details

Columbus State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation allows students to apply for and receive federal student aid. It also says that the school meets or exceeds criteria developed by the Association. It indicates excellence in education. Programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:
  • American Chemical Society
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre
  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Columbus State University Application Requirements

Freshman applicants to undergraduate degrees  must provide official high school transcripts along with official ACT or SAT scores. They must have an SAT score of 480 in Reading/Writing and 440 in Math. Applicants who have earned college credit after high school graduation must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants with more than 30 transfer hours must have a GPA of 2.0. Those who have 29 or fewer credits are entered as freshmen and must provide high school transcripts along with SAT and ACT scores. Applicants who graduated more than five years ago must only provide official high school transcripts and official transcripts from any colleges and universities attended. To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Informatics, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They also need three letters of recommendation. Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They need to supply official GRE, GMAT or MAT scores. Applicants to the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Leadership must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all graduate coursework. They must have four years’ experience in a school setting or leadership role in the private sector. A background check is required. There is also an interview and timed writing assessment.

Columbus State University Tuition and Financial aid

Undergraduate tuition for in-state students is $984.63 per credit hour. For out-of-state students it is $1,445.23 per credit hour. Graduate tuition is $1,012.50 per credit hour for in-state students. It’s $1,619.50 for out-of-state students. Financial aid is available. All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive assistance. Financial aid for undergraduate students may be in the form of:
  • grants
  • scholarships
  • loans
On-campus students may be offered work-study programs. Graduate students are normally offered loans. However, they are encouraged to apply for grants and scholarships with outside organizations. Those attending on campus may be offered fellowships or assistantships. Columbus State University offers many degree programs that are available in an online format. They enable working adults to achieve their higher education goals.

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