Charleston Southern University

THE UNIVERSITY'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT.

INSTRUCTION: FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 - 2022, ENROLLMENT WAS 3,433 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS COMPLETING TRADITIONAL, ONLINE, AND HYBRID COURSES. 776 DEGREES WERE CONFERRED DURING THE YEAR, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FULL-TIME PROFESSORS WAS 202 INCLUDING DEANS AND ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTEES. WE OFFERED 64 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES AND 28 GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS.CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IS REGIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS COMMISSION ON COLLEGES (SACSCOC), WHOSE MISSION IS TO "ASSURE THE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS". CSU JUST COMPLETED SUBMISSION OF THE 5-YEAR INTERIM REPORT AND RECEIVED FULL APPROVAL WITH NO FINDINGS. OUR NEXT SACSCOC REVIEW IS A FULL 10-YEAR REVIEW IN 2026-27. CSU OFFERS MORE THAN 800 COURSES, AND APPROXIMATELY 400 ARE NORMALLY AVAILABLE ONLINE THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR. WE EXPERIENCED AN EXCELLENT RETURN OF FULL-TIME STUDENTS, ALTHOUGH WE MAINTAINED OUR ONLINE COLLEGE OF ADULT AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES AND INCREASED COURSE AND PROGRAM OFFERINGS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS. WE HAVE BEEN OFFERING ONLINE BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS SINCE 2009. WE ARE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING SOME 500 COURSES TO BLACKBOARD ULTRA, THE LATEST AND MOST SOPHISTICATED LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AVAILABLE TO OUR STUDENTS. U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT EVALUATED MORE THAN 1,800 PROGRAMS LAST YEAR AND ONCE AGAIN, CSU IS THE TOP-RANKED PROGRAM IN SOUTH CAROLINA FOR ONLINE BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS, RANKING AT NO. 22 NATIONALLY. OVERALL, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN IS RANKED NO. 39 NATIONALLY FOR BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS. OUR PROGRAMS ALSO RANKED IN THE BEST CATEGORY INCLUDE: ONLINE BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS, THE BEST ONLINE MBA PROGRAMS, AND THE BEST ONLINE MASTER'S BUSINESS DEGREE PROGRAMS (EXCLUDING MBA).DEANS, SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS, AND FACULTY MEMBERS ARE CONTINUALLY IN TOUCH WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS, MANY OF WHOM SERVE ON OUR ADVISORY BOARDS FOR THE VARIOUS COLLEGES, INCLUDING BUSINESS, EDUCATION, NURSING, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE. CSU CONTINUES TO DEVELOP NEW PROGRAMS TO INCREASE WORKFORCE READINESS THROUGH INTERNSHIPS. AS THE PREFERENCE FOR REMOTE WORKING CONTINUES, WE HAVE FOUND MORE EMPLOYERS ARE SEEKING TO ENROLL THEIR EMPLOYEES IN ONLINE CLASSES TO ENHANCE THEIR MASTERY OF TECHNOLOGY VIA THE INTERNET. WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE ENROLLMENT IN OUR BS IN AERONAUTICS DEGREE PROGRAM. WHILE WE FORECASTED 12 - 15 STUDENTS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 70 STUDENTS TAKING THESE CLASSES. WE CONTINUE TO REVIEW THEIR INTEREST LEVELS IN SPECIFIC AREAS AND HAVE UPFITTED AN ON-CAMPUS SIMULATION LAB FOR THE LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS DEGREE.THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM RECEIVED AFFIRMATION OF PRELIMINARY ACCREDITATION, AND THE FIRST COHORT OF 48 DOCTORAL STUDENTS BEGAN CLASSES IN MAY 2022. THIS IS A 2.5-YEAR PROGRAM INCLUDING CLINICAL ROTATIONS WITH A NEW COHORT OF 48 STUDENTS ENTERING THE PROGRAM EACH MAY. THE HEALTH SCIENCE BUILDING WAS FITTED WITH THE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT IN THE LABORATORIES AND CLASSROOMS THAT WILL ENHANCE THE ABILITIES TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PRACTICE NEW SKILLS ON FELLOW STUDENTS. THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM RECEIVED ACCREDITATION FOR TEN YEARS BY THE ACCREDITATION REVIEW COMMISSION ON EDUCATION FOR THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT. FOUR COHORTS OF STUDENTS HAVE EARNED THE MS IN PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES DEGREE. EVERY GRADUATE HAS PASSED THE LICENSING EXAMINATIONS AND HAS OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT IN THE FIELD. CSU FACULTY AND STAFF REMAIN INVOLVED WITH THE TRIDENT ADVISORY BOARD, TRIDENT UNITED WAY LITERACY PROGRAM, THE LOWCOUNTRY STEM COLLABORATIVE, AND THE CHARLESTON METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES WHO HAVE A LOCAL PRESENCE.THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH LOCAL PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER DUAL ENROLLMENT TO STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TRANSFERRING TO CSU AFTER THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL. THE TEACHER CADET PROGRAM REPORTED 180 STUDENTS ENROLLED, REMAINING ONE OF THE LARGEST PROGRAMS IN THE STATE.EACH YEAR THE NUMBER OF BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED INCREASES. THE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING INITIATIVE (ELI) PROVIDES OUR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO OBTAIN WORK EXPERIENCE THROUGH AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. IT IS PART OF OUR QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM REQUIRED BY REGIONAL ACCREDITATION AND INTEGRATES CLINICAL-BASED, PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE AND NON-TRADITIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. THROUGH THE ELI PROGRAM, CSU HAS CONTINUED TO BUILD A NETWORK OF OUTSIDE PARTNERS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND THE STUDENTS ARE GREATLY BENEFITTING FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS NOW A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT.WE HAVE ENHANCED THE SERVICES OF OUR GLOBAL EDUCATION OFFICE BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES. WE HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ATTENDING CSU, MANY OF WHOM ARE GRADUATE BUSINESS STUDENTS. CSU WAS ONCE AGAIN NAMED A YELLOW RIBBON (MILITARY-FRIENDLY) SCHOOL. THE COLLEGE OF NURSING CONTINUES TO PRODUCE GRADUATES EARNING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING DEGREES WITH HIGH PASS RATES ON THE NCLEX AND INCREASING NUMBERS OF ENROLLEES IN THE ACCELERATED BSN PROGRAM. THE COLLEGE OF CHRISTIAN STUDIES INITIATED AGREEMENTS WITH THE SIX SEMINARIES AFFILIATED WITH THE BAPTIST CONVENTION TO OFFER COURSES AT CSU WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS TRANSFER CREDITS FOR STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE AND PURSUE AN MDIV DEGREE AT ONE OF THE SEMINARIES. THIS IS A NEW ALLIANCE FOR CSU AND WE ARE EXCITED TO OFFER THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OUR STUDENTS.ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY:TWO STAFF MEMBERS SUPPORT ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY FOR FACULTY MEMBERS. OUR REGULAR IT INFRASTRUCTURE IS MANAGED BY DYNAMIC CAMPUS. THE ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY TEAM FOCUSES ON PROVIDING SERVICES FOR FACULTY IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. WE OPERATE THE FACULTY STUDIO, WHICH IS A STATE-OF-THE-ART RECORDING STUDIO AVAILABLE TO FACULTY MEMBERS WHO NEED TO RECORD VIDEOS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES. THIS PROFESSIONAL-GRADE STUDIO ALLOWS FACULTY TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS FOR VIDEO RECORDING AS WELL AS SUPPORTS OUR ZOOM CAPABILITIES. WE ALSO HAVE FULL-TIME INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGIST WHO PROVIDES BEHIND-THE-SCENES SUPPORT FOR BLACKBOARD, OUR ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM. THIS OFFICE PROVIDES TRAINING, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, COURSE CONVERSION, AND TROUBLESHOOTING FOR ACADEMIC ISSUES RELATED TO BLACKBOARD, AND IS SPEAR-HEADING OUR LATEST MOVE TO BLACKBOARD ULTRA IN SPRING 2023. THESE TWO STAFF MEMBERS WORK WITH THE FACULTY TO SUPPORT MEETINGS, SPECIAL EVENTS, OUR FALL-FACULTY KICKOFF, AND VARIOUS SMALL-GROUP TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

STUDENT SERVICES: ENROLLMENT SERVICES, AND STUDENT SERVICES CONSISTING OF CAMPUS MINISTRIES, CAREER CENTER, COUNSELING SERVICES, RECREATIONAL SERVICES, RESIDENCE LIFE, COMMUNITY SERVICE, STUDENT DIVERSITY, AND STUDENT ACTIVITIESCHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SERVES A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY BY OFFERING MORE THAN 63 UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS AND 27 GRADUATE PROGRAMS. THE ENROLLMENT SERVICES OFFICE IS HOUSED IN THE HUNTER CENTER. ENROLLMENT SERVICES IS COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING: ADMISSIONS (UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE), FINANCIAL AID, VA SERVICES, ENROLLMENT OPERATIONS, AND STUDENT EMPLOYMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, STUDENT ACCOUNTS OFFICE, AND THE CASHIER'S WINDOW IS HOUSED IN THE STUDENT CENTER OFFERING A "ONE-STOP" SERVICE CENTER FOR NEW AND CONTINUING STUDENTS.THE ENROLLMENT SERVICES OFFICE HANDLES ALL UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE RECRUITING. THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE HANDLES MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR MORE THAN 40,000 PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS ANNUALLY, RESULTING IN MORE THAN 1,600 NEW STUDENTS EACH YEAR.THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE PROCESSED MORE THAN $86 MILLION OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID FOR MORE THAN 3,400 STUDENTS DURING THE 2021-22 ACADEMIC YEAR. APPROXIMATELY NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE UNIVERSITY'S UNDERGRADUATE POPULATION RECEIVES SOME TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.CHARLESTON SOUTHERN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR THE FOLLOWING: ONE OF AMERICA'S 100 BEST COLLEGE BUYS, A COLLEGE OF DISTINCTION, ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST CHRISTIAN COLLEGES, AND A U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT BEST ONLINE COLLEGE. THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT. IN ADDITION, CSU IS PROUD TO BE DESIGNATED A MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL BY VICTORY MEDIA, WHICH PUBLISHES THE PREMIERE MILITARY PERSONNEL MAGAZINE GI JOBS. IN KEEPING WITH ITS MISSION TO SERVE THE MILITARY POPULATION, THE UNIVERSITY HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS. APPROXIMATELY 300 VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WERE CERTIFIED TO RECEIVE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS FOR THE 2021-22 ACADEMIC YEAR. THE STUDENT LIFE DEPARTMENT IS COMPRISED OF CAMPUS SECURITY, CAMPUS MINISTRIES, CAREER CENTER, COUNSELING SERVICES, CAMPUS RECREATION, RESIDENCE LIFE, STUDENT DIVERSITY, EVENTS AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES. CAMPUS SECURITY PROVIDES 24/7 SECURITY SERVICES FOR OUR ENTIRE CAMPUS. ALL OF OUR CSU SECURITY GUARDS ARE ARMED AND OUR CONTACT SECURITY PERSONNEL ARE FROM THE LARGEST PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY, ALLIED-UNIVERSAL. WE HAVE OVER 200 CAMERAS ON CAMPUS THAT ARE MONITORED 24/7 AND AN MULTIMODAL EARLY ALERT SYSTEM TO NOTIFY OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.CAMPUS MINISTRIES PROVIDES SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR OUR CAMPUS THROUGH A VARIETY OF MEANS: WEEKLY CHAPEL SERVICES, WEEKLY STUDENT-LED WORSHIP SERVICES CALLED ELEVATE, SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES, AND MINISTRY/MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES.THE CAREER CENTER HELPS OUR STUDENTS LINE UP THEIR PASSION WITH THEIR PURPOSE. WE TRAIN STUDENTS IN BEST PRACTICES TO HELP THEM SECURE CAREERS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL. A VARIETY OF TESTING, WORKSHOPS, AND CAREER FAIRS HELP TO CONNECT STUDENTS WITH FUTURE EMPLOYERS.COUNSELING SERVICES IS AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS AT NO EXTRA COST. STUDENTS ARE SERVICED BY TWO LPC'S (ONE HOLDING A PHD IN COUNSELING) AND SEVERAL INTERNS. A NEW, EXPANDED CENTER OPENED IN THE FALL 2020 SEMESTER AND NEARLY DOUBLED THE SIZE OF THE PREVIOUS COUNSELING CENTER LOCATION. CAMPUS RECREATION PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY TO STAY PHYSICALLY STRONG AND WELL BALANCED. A FITNESS CENTER, GYMNASIUM, WEIGHT ROOM, SWIMMING POOL, AND INTRAMURAL SPORTS ARE OFFERED TO OUR CSU FAMILY. A NEW INTRAMURAL FIELD COMPLEX IS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND THIS STATE OF THE ART FACILITY SHOULD BE OPEN IN SUMMER 2022.RESIDENCE LIFE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSIGNING ROOMS AND PROVIDING SERVICES FOR OVER 1000 RESIDENT STUDENTS EACH MAJOR SEMESTER. WE ALSO PROVIDE VALUABLE LESSONS IN: CONFLICT MEDIATION, TEAM BUILDING, LIFE SKILLS, AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.STUDENT DIVERSITY PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN OUR CAMPUS, ESPECIALLY SINCE OUR CAMPUS HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST MINORITY POPULATIONS OF ANY PRIVATE SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF S.C. THAT IS NOT A HBCU. PROGRAMING, FORUMS, AND CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS ARE ALL A PART OF THIS GROWING AND EXCITING AREA.EVENTS DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING THE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY SECURE MEETING SPACES, CATERING, AND SUPPLIES ON OUR BEAUTIFUL 300+ ACRE CAMPUS. THIS DEPARTMENT ALSO MANAGES OUR LARGEST INDOOR VENUE, THE LIGHTSEY CHAPEL AUDITORIUM.STUDENT ACTIVITIES KEEPS THINGS MOVING ON CAMPUS! WITH MORE THAN 50 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND MANY GREEK ORGANIZATIONS, STUDENT ACTIVITIES IS ALWAYS BUSY. WE ALSO HAVE 16 COMMUNITY BUILDING, CAMPUS-WIDE EVENTS EACH YEAR THAT WE CALL THE "SWEET 16" THAT HELPS TO MAKE CSU A UNIQUE SCHOOL!STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER:THE CSU STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER OFFERS ACADEMIC ADVISING, DISABILITY SERVICES, THE LEARNING CENTER, THE MATH HELP CENTER, STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS, THE TESTING CENTER, THE WRITING CENTER, AND COORDINATES TUTOR APPOINTMENTS. LOCATED CONVENIENTLY IN THE STUDENT CENTER, THE STAFF OF THE STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION ON STUDENTS BECOMING SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM. WE OFFER TUTORS FOR EVERY SUBJECT AND INDIVIDUAL AS WELL AS GROUP TUTORING SESSIONS. MATH AND WRITING CENTERS ARE OPEN IN THE EVENINGS FOR EASY ACCESS, AND THE TESTING CENTER PROVIDES A QUIET SPACE FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS AS WELL AS CLASSROOM EXAMS WITH ADDITIONAL TIME REQUIREMENTS OR SPECIAL NEEDS.

AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: THE UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE HALLS, DINING HALL, AND CAMPUS BOOKSTORE ARE THE MAJOR AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES SERVING THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY. OUR DINING HALL, JAVA CITY, BUC STOP DINER AND CHICK-FIL-A EXPRESS ARE OPERATED AND MANAGED BY ARAMARK, AND OUR BOOKSTORE IS OPERATED AND MANAGED BY SLINGSHOT.SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2021, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE S.C. BAPTIST CONVENTION TO PROVIDE THEIR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CAMP CALLED SUMMERSALT AND THEIR 3RD-5TH GRADE CAMPS CALLED KIDSALT. AT THE END OF THE SUMMER, WE ALSO HOST ONE LARGE CHURCH CAMP FOR THE CHURCH AT THE MILL. WE ARE EXPECTING APPROXIMATELY 3,500-4,000 CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM ACROSS S.C. TO MEET ON OUR CAMPUS EACH SUMMER.WE ALSO ARE THE PRIMARY SPONSOR FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP UNIVERSITY (SLU) - A YOUTH LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE THAT PROVIDES LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN FLORIDA, TEXAS, WASHINGTON DC, EUROPE, AND ISRAEL. THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IS PROVIDED BY CSU ALUM DR. JAY STACK.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT:THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY (APPROXIMATELY 250,000 VOLUMES HELD) PROVIDES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPAL ACADEMIC DIVISIONS. THE L. MENDEL RIVERS LIBRARY INCLUDES A COFFEEHOUSE, JAVA CITY, ON THE MAIN FLOOR AND SEVERAL SMALL STUDY ROOMS AVAILABLE BY RESERVATION FOR STUDENTS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS MAY ACCESS THE INTERNET WITHIN LIMITATIONS TO FACILITATE DIVERSITY AND PERSONAL GROWTH IN TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATIONAL RESEARCH SKILLS, COMPLETE ONLINE CLASSES AND EXAMS, AND PRACTICE NETIQUETTE AND ONLINE COMMUNICATION SKILLS. THE LIBRARY IS ALSO A DEPOSITORY OF US GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS, A MEMBER OF PASCAL, THE STATEWIDE ACADEMIC LIBRARY CONSORTIUM, AND PROVIDES FREE RESEARCH AND INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND GUESTS. INTERNET ACCESS IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE COMPUTER LABS AND LIBRARY EXCEPT FOR PRE-DETERMINED LAB FEES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR SOME CLASSES. CSU IS A COMPLETELY WIRELESS CAMPUS, PROVIDING ACCESS IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS FOR ALL REGISTERED RESIDENT STUDENTS. WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF E-BOOKS AND ELECTRONIC DATABASES AS MORE OF THE ACADEMIC LITERATURE IS BECOMING AVAILABLE ONLINE RATHER THAN IN PRINTED FORMAT. EVERY STUDENT, STAFF, AND FACULTY MEMBER HAVE FULL ACCESS TO ZOOM TO FACILITATE STUDY INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUPS AS WELL AS ATTEND CLASSES VIRTUALLY. THE REFERENCE DESK IS ALWAYS STAFFED IN PERSON AND ONLINE FOR STUDENT ASSISTANCE AND OUR LIBRARY STAFF ARE ALL CREDENTIALED AND GRANTED FACULTY STATUS.