Charleston Southern University

charleston southern graduate programs

Flexible, Purpose-Driven Academics at CSU

Charleston Southern University appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s In Finance.

Divided into seven colleges with 67 percent retention, Charleston Southern University offers 52 traditional and six online bachelor’s degrees from a Christian perspective. For example, the B.S. in Project Management fulfills PMP certification with a 125-credit online curriculum of courses from Cost Estimation to Risk Assessment. The 125-credit Horton School B.A. in Music Therapy is South Carolina’s oldest expressive arts counseling program with a six-month internship. Partnered with UN-Omaha, the B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science follows a 4+1 plan of 129 credits for clinical classes and 13-week summer practica. Chaired by Prof. Andrea Glover at a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the 125-credit B.A. in Graphic Design introduces Adobe technology for visual communications. Other Charleston offerings include the B.A. in English Education, B.B.A. in Entrepreneurship, B.S. in Chemistry, B.A. in Humanities, B.S. in Healthcare Administration, B.A. in Biblical Languages, and B.S. in Hospitality Management.

The Graduate School at Charleston Southern University is launching a Doctor of Education in January 2019 to complement 15 master’s programs on-site and on Blackboard. For instance, the M.S. in Supply Chain Management unlocks a median $84,000 salary after a 36-credit online curriculum focused on logistical problem-solving courses like Strategic Procurement. Directed by Dr. Brian Smith, the 24-month, CAATE-accredited Master of Athletic Training boasts an 87.5 certification rate for sports injury treatment careers. Two tracks for Software Engineering and Cyber Security are available for the 33-credit, non-thesis Online M.S. in Computer Science that’s technologically advanced. The M.Ed. in Elementary Education and Supervision admits certified PreK-6 teachers for an accelerated 16-month, 33-credit plan toward school leadership. Additional CSU grad options include the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. in Biology, M.S. in Analytics, M.B.A. in Human Resource Management, and M.S. in Criminal Justice.

About Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University was first envisioned in September 1955 at the South Carolina Baptist Convention’s General Board session to serve the Lowcountry. Initially, courses began at the First Baptist Church in 1964 under Dr. John Hamrick. By 1966, its 300-acre campus granted by Mayor J. Palmer Gaillard Jr. off Interstate 26’s Exit 205B was finished. Accredited in 1971, the Baptist College at Charleston housed its inaugural students at St. John Hotel. Fifteen years later, the private, residential school added its first master’s degree for education. Renamed with university status in 1990, Charleston Southern University opened its Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership in 2013. Endowed for $18.2 million, CSU now enrolls 3,575 Buccaneers from 21 nations as a Big South CIC member near “Holy City.”

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Charleston the South’s 89th best college with the 35th best online bachelor’s and 120th top graduate business online degrees nationally. On Niche, CSU boasts America’s 110th safest campus, 185th most conservative students, 246th top athletics, and 650th hardest admission. College Factual crowned CSU the 26th best Baptist school, 236th best teacher value, and 257th most popular theology institute. Travel & Leisure picked Charleston as the country’s #1 most friendly city. WalletHub honored Charleston Southern University for the 112th best campus experience and 212th best financing. PayScale recorded a median mid-career income of $72,600 with CSU degrees. In Washington Monthly, Charleston Southern has the 86th best ROTC and 160th most service too.

Charleston Southern University Accreditation Details

In 2016, Charleston Southern University successfully underwent an institutional evaluation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to keep the Level V accreditation up-to-date through 2026 under its third president, Dr. Dondi Costin, a Bronze Star recipient. Located 278 miles west via Interstate 20 in Decatur, this 11-state South Atlantic accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to judge Federal Title-IV eligibility. Specific Charleston programs also feature these accreditations:

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
  • National Association for Schools of Music (NASM)
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
  • Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
  • Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)

Charleston Southern University Application Requirements

Admission at Charleston Southern University is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 2,666 of the 4,399 Fall 2017 applicants were okayed for 61 percent acceptance. First-year Buccaneers are reviewed on an individual basis after the high school diploma or GED. Thirteen college-prep units, including four years of English, are preconditions. Freshmen generally rank in the top one-third of their classes with a 3.63 GPA average. Undergrads under age 21 need a minimum 530 SAT Reading, 490 SAT Math, or 19 ACT Composite score. Transfers must hold 24 college credits, including Math 111 and English 111 equivalents, with 2.0 GPAs or better. The Graduate School requires completing a senior college curricula for at least “B” averages. GPAs over 3.5 waive the Graduate Record Exam requirement. Prerequisites vary by degree, such as the 12 Psychology credits for Master of Science in Counseling entry.

Charleston Southern University has a final deadline of July 11th and test score cutoff of August 15th for freshmen, but transfers enjoy rolling admissions. The Graduate School enforces varying program deadlines to watch for. For instance, the Master of Science in Biology set August 5th, December 5th, and April 25th preferential deadlines. Interested Buccaneers must file the user registration first before submitting the apt application online. If needed, mail extra materials to 9200 University Boulevard in Charleston, SC 29406. Please contact (843) 863-7000 or [email protected] for further clarification. Application checklists might include the following:

  • $20 application fee on Secure Server
  • Latest official course transcript
  • Testing scores directly from agencies
  • Two signed recommendation letters
  • Academic statement of intent (300-500 words)
  • Professional one-page résumé
  • On-campus interview upon request

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Charleston Southern University is charging traditional full-time undergrads $12,750 each term or $25,500 annually. Evening or Accelerated programs bill $470 per credit. Online courses jump slightly to $490 per credit. The Online B.S. in Criminal Justice is the exception at $392 for first responders. Living at the Charleston campus’ dorms like Russell East Hall adds $5,100 every semester. CSU suggests budgeting $1,400 for books and $3,800 for other expenses. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $39,940 on-site and $30,040 off. The Graduate School generally costs $625 per master’s credit. Note the MBA and Master of Education are excluded at $450 and $500 per credit respectively. The Doctor of Education will charge 2019 cohorts $1,750 for each course.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Hunter Center helps 97 percent of full-time CSU Buccaneers reap average packages of $15,185 for $47.31 million total. Institutional funds include the Merit Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship, International Missionary Dependent Award, Music Award, Student Government Association Stipend, Palmetto Girls State Scholarship, and Student Leadership Scholarship. FAFSA applications coded 003419 can provide Pell Grant and SEOG Grant money. Based on EFC, undergrads qualify for Federal Work-Study jobs with $2,000 maximums. Low-interest Direct, Perkins, and Plus loans are borrowed from the U.S. government. South Carolinians pursue the Tuition Grant, Palmetto Fellow Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship, and HOPE Scholarship. Students with income under $60,000 could also claim C.G. Fuller Foundation awards.

Learn more about the accredited, faith-informed degrees available at the Charleston Southern University website.