Columbus State University

Columbus State University appears in the ranking for the 10 Most Affordable EdD in Curriculum & Instruction Online.

As can be seen by a 19th ranking in most innovative schools from U.S. News and World Report, Columbus State University is always looking for new ways to impart education to curious minds. The university's overall ranking is 102nd in the South Region, and it is also ranked 42nd in Best Value Schools.

The university began as an idea in 1949 when the founders wanted to create a junior college to help with the glut of newly discharged soldiers during the years following World War II. At the time, however, there was no process in place in the State of Georgia for the founding of junior colleges. It wasn't until nearly a decade later that the law and its accompanying funding came into being. Seven years after its founding in 1958, the junior college applied to become a four-year institution. The state granted that application, and the freshly minted university graduated its first class in 1970. Since then, the university has expanded to its present size of roughly 7,000 undergraduate students.

Columbus State University Accreditation Details

Columbus State University has earned regional accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Other accreditations include:

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• 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
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• American Chemical Society
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission

Columbus State University Application Requirements

Undergraduate applicants may take either the SAT or the ACT for consideration for admission. The bare minimum scores on the SAT that are acceptable are 440 on critical reading and 410 on math. The minimum scores on the ACT are 17 on English and 17 on math. Freshmen must also have completed 17 high-school units, including:

• Four years of English with emphasis in grammar, usage, and literature
• Four years of math, including Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry, and one higher-level math course
• Four years in science, including one physical science with lab and one life science with lab
• Three years in social science that must include one unit in American studies and one unit in world studies
• Two years in the same foreign language, emphasizing speaking, reading, listening, and writing

Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA on the traditional 4.0 scale. In any case where a student has not completed the requisite 17 high-school, college-preparatory units, that student may take SAT subject tests in any deficient subjects. Students should consult the website to find both the requisite scores in those subjects and any other questions about the admission requirements.

Doctoral students seeking the Ed.D in Curriculum and Leadership must have earned a master's degree from a regionally accredited university and have scored a 3.5 GPA or higher during those studies. These applicants must also have at least four years' teaching experience or equivalent experience in the private sector to be considered for admission. Any student who has been denied admittance to student teaching or teacher program for character issues or has been discharged from the armed services in any other manner than honorable will be denied admission.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition for a full schedule of classes for in-state residents is $2,665 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $9,406 per year. The assorted fees for in-state students come to $3,600. Those for out-of-state students come to $10,341. When it comes to the Ed.D in Curriculum and Leadership, the per-credit rate for in-state students is $389, and it is $1,109 for out-of-state students. In either case, all applicable fees apply. Students with further questions should contact the bursar's office. The university also provides for several on-campus housing and meal plans for underclassmen, upperclassmen, and graduate students. In the interest of brevity, prospective students should check the "tuition and fees" section of the website to peruse those various plans.

Students wishing to apply for financial aid should begin with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Parents are encouraged to sign up for their own identification numbers so that they can append tax forms and other financial data relevant to a financial aid decision themselves.

There are various and sundry grants and scholarships available through Columbus State University. Students may also pursue outside sources of financial aid, including Stafford loans and grants and scholarships from private entities. Students may also opt to work to pay off part of their tuition. Jobs are available through the work-study program and off campus. International students should ensure all applicable immigration paperwork and work permits or visas are in order before applying either for a job or for admittance to the university. Students who have questions should contact the applicable offices at the university for further clarification.

Online Degrees Available

There are nearly 40 online degrees offered at Columbia State University. These encompass all levels of study. The Ed.D in Curriculum and Leadership requires 63 credit hours to complete. The program is designed to provide a foundation for students wishing to pursue careers as administrators at various levels. Not all classes for this online degree are online, however. Some are hybrid classes where students do some work in traditional classrooms and some through online study. Others, such as the dissertation, require work outside the classroom. Practica, by necessity, must be completed in the "real world," but certain electives may be offered online.

The degree requirements include a minimum of 3.25 as a GPA and no more than one class in which the student has earned a C. After the completion of the dissertation, the student must prepare an oral defense. There are three available specializations: curriculum, leadership, and higher education. Students must choose their specializations before proposing their dissertation topics.

Columbia State University aims to lead the way among research universities by developing innovative programs and teaching methods and providing its education at a reasonable cost.