Columbia Southern University

Hi Sube,

Actually I'm half way thru the fall term as I started in November. So far no really complaints as I'm taking both the Strategic Management (MBA 5101) and Adv. Marketing (MBA 5501) courses. Most weekly assignments are papers 2-5 pages with the normal requirement to participate in discussion board topics as well. For me my expectation was that Columbia Southern would be on level with typical continuing education courses and so far that still holds true. The work is geared towards working adults so not too hard nor too much. The Advanced Marketing course is really an intro course IMO. Since I'm doing the general concentration this will be my last marketing course as well so I can't really comment any further on how the other marketing class shake out. Again the price is hard to beat and if you're not expecting a rigorous Top 50 program Columbia Southern could be a fit for you.

 

Well, falsedentures, what would you expect of a school that suspended no less a luminary than the young Allen Ginsberg, for a year? :smile: Oh, right... You're talking about Columbia U. NYC - I think. We were discussing unrelated Columbia Southern U., the NA school in Orange Beach AL. I think you'd better sit this one out. Watch it! If you see a red dot, it's the laser-sight on Levicoff's flamethrower - game over!

J.

 

I'll be the first to admit that Columbia Southern isn't an academic powerhouse. To be honest I really was looking again for continuing education courses and the price was right. If it hadn't been for the generous transferring policy I would've really considered LSU-Shreveport. Its AACSB accredited and the cost is about $12K so its definitely one of the best bang for the buck with a BIG school name (sort of) attached to it.

 

According to the 2018 list, they are not pending and are not on the approved list. Bummer.
I'll throw out there that one of my sons is considering a bachelor's in hospitality there. Hospitality doesn't have a lot of good online RA choices (not that you NEED to have an RA degree in that field) but most are wayyy too expensive imo. CS has partnerships with many programs, including Studycom, and gives 10% off tuition if you indicate a partnership affiliation. Partnership tuition is $200/credit. Not a bad price to meet the 30 credit residency.

 

Finishing up the MBA program at CSU. Overall most course met my expectations. None of the courses were easy but neither were they too hard. Program is definitely geared to the working adult . I do wish more content for lectures and videos in some of the courses. It was however nice not to have to buy textbooks as school did provide online (PDF) version in some courses. Other courses didn't make use of textbooks just case studies and articles.

Its just too bad CSU doesn't get their act together when it comes to accreditation. Again as of June 2018 not on the SACS list of candidates. Business program is also neither a candidate for ACBSP or IACBE. I have enough coursework from good brick and mortar progam like Minnesota and UCLA Extension but CSU needs to grow up. There are so many choices in online now and I do feel it would be in there best long term interest gain a higher level accreditation than DEAC. Still for me I have no real regrets as again the cost and transfer policy was hard to beat. Six classes for less than $5400 (i got a 25% off the first six units discount). Less my employer reimbursement it cost about $2000 for a MBA.

I'm planning on finishing a Lean Six Sigma certificate program at UCLA Extension by next winter before I might look to do a doctorate program. I'm not that crazy about the DBA at CSU as it doesn't have much in specialization however the cost is about $18K which is appealing considering I only get $3K/year from my company. I like Liberty University's program but I don't pay $40K. Aspen U has a EdD for $28K in Healthcare Leadership but like CSU is also NA.

 

Thanks for that review. My son is starting his bachelors here next month. Did your program have the option of the "lifetime learning" schedule or is that just undergrad? We are weighing the pros/cons of that now.

 

Yes Lifepace learning was an option but i chose to the normal 8 week session. Actually I took two courses each session and the load fir me was more than bearable.

I have a son that will be attending a college next year for undergrad (runs track we are still in the recruiting stages ). However I might recommend CSU for him to do a MBA or MPA once he is finished depending on what job he finds first once he graduates. I know he's not really interested in grad school but he also knows a Masters may help his bank account in the long run. CSU does fill a neeed niche however i still feel its time for them to seek a higher accreditation. Did you look at Arizona State for Hospitality? I know it is more money but you can go to any MBA program from there. Getting a RA MBA might be important if he wants to work at corporate headquarters.

 

Life*PACE* that's right thanks. The biggest 2 points CSU has imo is that they accepted all of his ACE and transfer credit and they have a 10% Straighterline tuition discount. He's working full time, which is why we are looking at the Lifepace option. He doesn't need an RA degree, but I'll still check out Arizona- thanks.

 

Looks like Columbia Southern is now an affiliated member of IACBE. Hopefully they are working towards becoming an accredited member. Also wish they would again aim to become regionally accredited as well.

http://iacbe.org/memberpdf/ColumbiaSouthernUniversity.pdf

http://iacbe.org/accreditation/member-status-information/results/