Terms and Conditions
This document contains Terms and Conditions for all Columbia Southern University Continuing Education programs.
ENROLLMENTS: This agreement outlines University policies to which the student
must agree with in order to enroll in courses at Columbia Southern University (CSU). However, if an existing or
prospective student does enroll/register for CSU courses over the phone with a CSU staff member, the existing or
prospective student is agreeing to the below policies, any new/revised policies, fees, and tuition rates in effect at
the time of course registration. Policies, fees, and tuition rates are published on the CSUGÇÖs continuing education
website- www.columbiasouthern.edu/ce
TUITION: Tuition covers the cost of the course to include: online study
guides, faculty, and course administrative support. Tuition is payable in United States of America (U.S.) funds, by
check from a U.S. bank, by money order in U.S. funds, or by major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express,
Discover). Students must select a CSU tuition payment option on the enrollment agreement. Tuition must be paid in full
before the student is enrolled into a CE course. CSU reserves the right to change course materials (revise course
content, required textbook, etc.) of a program as deemed necessary. Any changes to tuition rates will be disclosed to
students by email and announced on the CSU website a minimum of 30 days in advance of tuition change.
TEXTBOOK AND COURSE MATERIAL POLICY:
Columbia Southern University (CSU) provides course material for all courses. The course material may vary from
course to course and could be in the form of printed textbooks, electronic textbooks (eTextbooks), or Integrated
Learning Resources (ILR). CSU will determine the most effective material to ensure a positive learning experience for
students.
Printed Textbooks
Book Grant
The Book Grant provides printed textbooks to students at no cost contingent upon the student successfully completing
the course. Successful course completion is defined as earning a passing grade in the course.
If a student drops, withdraws from, is institutionally withdrawn from, or fails a course, the student will be
responsible for the cost of the textbook unless one of the following occurs:
- the student returns the textbook postmarked within 30 days to have the charge reversed
- the student plans to retake the same course within 30 days.
Students who do not successfully complete a course should enclose the Textbook Return Form with the
returned textbook. Students who return textbooks without the proper paperwork to identify themselves may not receive
credit for the return. Students who do not return textbooks and/or do not pay the textbook charge may not be allowed
to enroll in future courses.
Textbook charges will be based on the retail textbook price listed on the CSU website or 70% of the listed retail
price if the student was issued a used textbook.
Note: Textbooks may be in new or used condition.
eTextbooks
An eTextbook is an interactive, electronic version of the course textbook that can be accessed and downloaded on the
course start date. eTextbooks are provided at no cost. Digitally stored eTextbooks may contain audio, video, and
animations that enhance the student learning experience. A clickable table of contents allows students to quickly
navigate to the desired page(s), highlight, and take notes directly within the eTextbook.
Students will gain access to the eTextbook in Blackboard, on the course start date. The eTextbook will remain active
for 180 days from the initial time the text is accessed. The eTextbook can be printed as much as needed, up to ten
pages at a time. Students will be able to purchase a printed version of the eTextbook once the course begins from a
third-party vendor link within the eTextbook. The cost of the printed eTextbook will be the responsibility of the
student.
eTextbooks can be accessed by utilizing iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Mac, and PC computers and devices. Video
tutorials are available in Blackboard to assist students on how to utilize eTextbooks. The tutorials outline tips for
using the eTextbook on and offline, highlighting, note taking, and all other capabilities.
Students should contact their course professors or CSU Technical Support (877-399-1063) with any technical issues
that may arise.
Integrated Learning Resources (ILR)
In an effort to improve and enhance learning, selected CSU courses do not require a printed or electronic textbook.
ILR material contains labs, lectures, faculty-created content, and video presentations. Subsequently, courses may have
extended study guides or interactive material that enhances the learning experience and enables students to learn and
grow in their disciplines in a practical way.
Students will gain access to the ILR material through Blackboard on the course start date. These resources are
stored digitally and can be printed.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: International students will assume responsibility for
payment of customs duties, differences in exchange rates, and additional postage or shipping and handling cost.
Overseas shipments are sent to international students via airmail. Shipping charges vary depending on carrier used,
weight, and shipping method. CSU reserves the right to charge additional mailing/shipping fees to international
students as necessary to cover costs.
TUITION REFUND POLICY: For information about refund policies in specific
states, please see the State Authorization
page of the CSU Website.
Students who wish to drop/withdraw (See Official Course
Drop/Withdrawal Policy) from a continuing education course must contact the Department of Continuing Education.
Any refunds due will be issued within 30 calendar days. Tuition will be refunded based on the course start date and
the tuition percentage amounts listed below.
In the states of Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, and Mississippi, CSU follows the refund guidelines set forth by
their State Boards of Education or equivalents. The state refund policies apply when students who are residents of
these states withdraw, drop, or are administratively dropped from a course or the institution.
Table 1 displays the percentage of tuition returned to the student AFTER the listed timeframes.
Table 1 - Percent Return
* Percent return is effective after the timeframe.
Timeframe* |
Percentage Returned to student |
1st week |
80% |
2nd week |
60% |
3rd week |
40% |
4th week |
20% |
5th week |
0% |
COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: A course must be completed in accordance with
the course syllabus. The start dates for continuing education courses are set based on the individual student and
textbook delivery. Details of each course can be found on CSUGÇÖs Continuing Education Website. If a student is unable
to complete a course by the course end date, he/she may apply for a course extension for an additional fee by
completing the form found here.
COMPLAINTS: The Office of Student Resolution and Conduct handles escalated
complaints, receives appeals and coordinates resolution, and works with students regarding academic integrity and
conduct concerns. Students who wish to file a complaint with CSU are encouraged to review the Complaint and Grievance
Policy in the CSU Student Handbook prior
to submitting a Complaint Form. Students who wish
to file a complaint with an agency should refer to the https://mycsu.columbiasouthern.edu/media/csu-complaint-form/.
If an issue cannot be resolved internally, students may file an external complaint with the agency in the state in
which the student resides or CSU's accrediting agency, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission
(DEAC). Students who wish to file a complaint with a state higher education agency, may review the state
specific contact information on the http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/about-csu/accreditation-licensure/external-complaint-process.
In many cases, these agencies require the student to exhaust the institution's internal complaint procedures prior
to filing a complaint with the state or accreditor. Therefore, it is recommended that students not contact these
agencies unless they have proceeded through the university's process for filing a complaint.
HONOR PLEDGE: I promise or affirm that I will not, at any time, be involved
in cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation of sources while enrolled as a student at CSU. I have read
the Student Code of Conduct Policy and the Academic Integrity Policy, which explains disciplinary procedures that will
result from failure to comply with these policies. I understand that violation of the Academic Integrity Policy will
result in sanctions, appropriate to the incident and the student record as a whole, that are outlined within this
policy.
TRANSFER CREDIT: Almost all institutions of higher learning, including CSU,
restrict the acceptance of credits from other colleges and universities. This is also true of many agencies,
companies, and organizations. It is therefore recommended that students seek prior approval of CSU credit transfer if
intending transfer at a later date, or if you anticipate utilizing your CSU credits for credentialing, reimbursement,
or similar reasons.
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Students who choose to attend CSU accept
the Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy as members of the university community and agree to abide by policies
set forth in the CSU University Catalog and CSU Student Handbook. http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/Download-Catalog
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, HARASSMENT, AND NONDISCRIMINATION: In accordance with
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, CSU has established resolution processes for any member or non-member of
the university community that reports an alleged case of discrimination and/or harassment. The Equal Opportunity,
Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy outlines such processes and should be reviewed in full by visiting the Title
IX page on the CSU Website. http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/consumer-information/title-ix
DISCLOSURE AUTHORIZATION: I authorize the University to discuss with me over
the phone my student record. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) affords a student certain
rights with respect to their educational records. The University is prohibited from making any comment pertaining to
my student record to outside parties without my expressed written permission. It is further understood that it is my
assigned student I.D. or social security number that will enable me to access my student records. If I am unable to
verify one of these numbers to the University, the University will not discuss my records with me.
STUDENT ACCEPTANCE
This agreement becomes effective on the date payment is processed. Students will receive enrollment and payment
receipt through email notification sent on the day the payment is processed.
Please view the University Privacy Policy for more information. The privacy policy can be found at the follow
website address: http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/privacy/. Please note that
emails, texts, and online chats are the University's primary mode of communication and become a part of the
student's permanent record. CSU may reach out to Continuing Education students via phone or email regarding
academic degree programs.
Enrollment in a CSU continuing education course, degree program or completion of a degree program does not guarantee
employment.
I understand that acceptance of this Agreement by Columbia Southern University constitutes a Legal Agreement until
such time as I cancel my enrollment. I further understand the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement and I
agree to abide by the University policies, as well as Academic and Student Affairs policies outlined within the
Student Handbook.
Columbia Southern University utilizes various forms of automated technology communication with students. For quality
purposes, CSU may monitor and/or record these communications. By submitting this enrollment, students and/or their
representatives are consenting to monitoring and/or recording of such communications to include, but not limited to,
phone, email, and text messaging.