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Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Programs - Columbus State University

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Academics

Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Programs

  • Columbus State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and educational specialist degrees.
  • The associate degree program in nursing is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing.
  • The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing.
  • The respiratory therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education of the American Medical Association.
  • The teacher education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
  • The Georgia Professional Standards Commission accepts Columbus State University credits for teacher certification.
  • All degree programs offered by the Schwob Department of Music are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
  • The Georgia State Department of Veterans Service has approved Columbus State University for the training of veterans and eligible dependents.

Graduate Programs

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master of Education (MEd)
    • Administration
    • Art Education
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Health and Physical Education
    • Middle Grades Education
    • School Counseling
    • Secondary Education
      • Teaching fields in:
        • Biology
        • English Language Arts
        • General Science
        • History
        • Mathematics
        • Social Science
      • Special Education
        • Teaching fields in:
          • Behavioral Disorders
          • Learning Disabilities
          • Mental Retardation
  • Master of Music (MM)
    • Music Education
  • Master of Public Administration (MPA)
    • General Government Administration
    • Health Services Administration
    • Justice Administration
  • Master of Science (MS)
    • Applied Computer Science
    • Community Counseling
    • Environmental Science
  • Specialist in Education (EdS)
    • Administration and Supervision
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Middle Grades Education
    • School Counseling
    • Secondary Education
      • Teaching fields in:
        • English Language Arts
        • Mathematics
        • Science/Biology
        • Social Science

Baccalaureate Degree Programs

  • Accounting (BBA)
  • Art (BFA)
  • Art Education (BSEd)
  • Biology (BA, BS)
  • Business Administration (BBA)
  • Chemistry (BA, BS)
  • Communication (BA)
    • Concentration:
      • General Communication
      • Public Relations
  • Computer Information Systems (BBA)
  • Computer Science (BS)
  • Computer Science - Applied (BS)
  • Criminal Justice (BS)
  • Early Childhood Education (BSEd)
  • English Language and Literature (BA)
    • Concentration:
      • Literature
      • Writing
  • Exercise Science (BS)
  • Finance (BBA)
  • General Studies (BS)
  • Geology (BS)
  • Health, Physical Education, and Sports Science (BSEd)
  • Health Science (BS)
  • History (BA)
  • Management (BBA)
  • Marketing (BBA)
  • Mathematics (BA, BS)
    • Concentration:
      • Applied Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Education (BSEd)
    • Concentration:
      • Language Arts/Social Science
      • Mathematics/Science
  • Music (BA)
  • Music - Applied (BM)
    • Concentration:
      • Piano Pedagogy
      • Performance-Vocal/Instrumental
  • Music Education (BM)
    • Concentration:
      • Instrumental
      • Vocal
  • Nursing (BSN)
  • Political Science (BA, BS)
    • Option:
      • Political Behavior
      • Pre-Law
  • Psychology (BA, BS)
  • Recreation and Park Administration (BS)
  • Secondary Education (BSEd)
    • Teaching fields in:
      • English Language Arts
      • General Science
      • History
      • Mathematics
      • Social Science
  • Sociology (BS)
  • Special Education - Mental Retardation (BSEd)
  • Theatre (BA)
  • Theatre Education (BSEd)

Associate Degree Programs

  • Applied Computer Science (AASCS)
  • Criminal Justice (AASCJ)
  • General Studies (AS)
  • Nursing (ASN)
  • Respiratory Therapy (ASRT)

Certificate Programs (One-Year)

  • Criminal Justice
  • Data Processing

Minors

The following is a listing of approved undergraduate minors offered at Columbus State University. The requirements for each minor are listed, and at least one-third of the course work must be taken at Columbus State University. Courses applied toward a minor must be courses other than ones specified as requirements for the major degree program. The courses identified as part of the minor must satisfy the total credit hours required for the minor program.

African-American Studies — 15 semester hours selected from HIST 3115, HIST 3116, HIST 3117, HIST 5566, ITDS 1146 (if not used in Area E), ENGL 3116, SOCI 3117, and THEA 2175.

Anthropology — 15 semester hours in upper-division ANTH courses and GEOL 5175.

Art History (*) — 16 semester hours to include ARTH 1127, ARTH 2125 ARTH 2126, ARTH 3127, ARTH 3128, and ARTH 3555.

Biology — 18 semester hours as follows: BIOL 2185, BIOL 3215, BIOL 3216, BIOL 3217, and BIOL 3218.

Chemistry — 18 semester hours selected from CHEM 2115/2315, CHEM 3111/3311, CHEM 3112/3312, CHEM 4111/4311, CHEM 4112/4312, and CHEM 4175/4375.

Coaching (*) — 18 semester hours including PELM 2345, PELM 3235, PELM 3365, PELM 4415, PELM 5115, PELM 5116, and five semester hours from the following: PELM 3255, PELM 3256, PELM 3257, PELM 3258, PEDS 2371, and PEDS 2372.

Communication — 15 semester hours in COMM courses, excluding COMM 2205 and including nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Internships and independent study courses may not be used to satisfy requirements for this minor.

Computer Science — 18 semester hours including CPSC 1301, CPSC 1302, CPSC 2108, and nine semester hours of computer science courses at the 3000 level or above.

Criminal Justice — 15 semester hours in criminal justice courses, including nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above as approved by the department chair. Internships and independent study courses may not be used to satisfy requirements for this minor.

Early Childhood Education (*) — 18 semester hours including EDEC 2155, EDEC 3255, EDEC 3256, and six semester hours of approved electives.

English — 17 semester hours to include ENGL 3157, two courses selected from ENGL 4125, ENGL 4126, or ENGL 4127, one course selected from ENGL 3111, ENGL 3112, ENGL 3115, ENGL 3116, ENGL 3117, or ENGL 3175, and one course selected from ENGL 2135, ENGL 2145, ENGL 2146, or ENGL 2147.

English (Professional Writing Track) (*) — 18 semester hours to include ENGL 3157, one course selected from ENGL 2135, ENGL 2145, ENGL 2146, or ENGL 2147, one course selected from ENGL 3158 or ENGL 3159, and three courses selected from ENGL 3158, ENGL 3159, ENGL 3155, ENGL 3156, ENGL 3165, ENGL 3255, ENGL 5155, or ENGL 5156.

Exercise Science (*) — 18 semester hours to include PELM 3135, PELM 4131, PELM 4132, PELM 4135, PELM 4137, and PELM 5135.

French (*) — 18 semester hours including FREN 2002, FREN 3101, FREN 3102, FREN 3115, FREN 3116, and FREN 4555.

History — 15 semester hours in history courses excluding history courses used in Area E of the core curriculum and including nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Internships and independent study courses may not be used to satisfy requirements for this minor.

Mathematics — 17 semester hours including MATH 1131, MATH 1132, and nine semester hours of mathematics courses at the 3000 level or above not including MATH 4555. If MATH 1131 or MATH 1132 is used to satisfy Area A or Area D of the core curriculum, one additional mathematics course, at any level, must be taken for each course used in the core.

Music (*) — 18 semester hours including MUSC 1225, MUSC 3118, and MUSC 3226, and 10 semester hours of MUSA or MUSP courses of which three semester hours must be at the 3000 level or above. Internships and independent study courses may not be used to satisfy requirements for this minor.

Mental Retardation (*) — 18 semester hours including SPED 3155, SPED 3215, SPED 4215, and six semester hours of approved electives.

Political Science — 18 semester hours in political science courses including POLS 2101 and 15 semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Internships and independent study courses may not be used to satisfy requirements for this minor.

Philosophy — Six semester hours of lower division philosophy courses and 12 semester hours of upper division philosophy courses including PHIL 3115, PHIL 3116, and either PHIL 2105 or PHIL 3106. Courses used to satisfy Areas A through F of the core may not be used to satisfy minor requirements.

Psychology (*) — 17 semester hours of psychology courses at the 3000 level or above including two four-semester hour laboratory courses.

Recreation Leadership (*) — 17-18 semester hours including PELM 3425, five-six semester hours from the following: PELM 2206, PELM 3125, or PELM 4245 and nine-10 semester hours from the following: PEDS 2275, PEDS 2371, PEDS 2372, PEDS 2376, PEDS 2377, PELM 2345, or PELM 4149.

Sociology —15 semester hours of sociology courses at the 3000 level or above.

Spanish — 15 semester hours including SPAN 3150, SPAN 3160, SPAN 3170 or SPAN 3175, SPAN 5555, and HIST 3188.

Theatre Arts — 15 semester hours of theatre courses excluding THEA 1100 and including nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Internships and independent study courses may not be used to satisfy requirements for this minor.

Women's Studies —15 semester hours including HIST 3169, ENGL 3117, and nine semester hours from the following: CRJU 2116, CRJU 3135, MPAG 5555, PHIL 3795, PSYC 3565, SOCI 2293, and SOCI 3169. Internships and independent studies may not be used to satisfy requirements for this minor.

* Pending approval of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

Pre-Professional Curricula

Pre-professional curricula are offered by the university. The varying requirements of different professional schools, however, require close adherence by the student to the catalog requirements of the respective college. Thus, students can complete one, two, three, or four years of work toward professional degrees at Columbus State University, depending on their objectives and the requirements of the particular professional school involved. It should be noted that most professional schools require an above-average academic record for admission.

Pre-Law — The statement on pre-legal education of the Association of American Law Schools does not recommend any specific major or course work for the prospective law student. Many Columbus State University baccalaureate programs may develop the broad competencies recommended in the statement. Students should contact the pre-law advisor through the chair, Department of Political Science, for further information.

Pre-Medicine — All courses required for admission to medical schools are offered by Columbus State University, and most students planning to apply for admission to medical school pursue a major in either biology or chemistry. Within each of these programs, sufficient electives are included to allow students to take courses needed in the other field. For more detailed information on these programs see BS, biology, and BA, chemistry (listed elsewhere), or contact the Department of Biology or the Department of Chemistry and Geology.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine - See biology.

Pre-Dentistry — See pre-medicine.

Pre-Pharmacy — Columbus State University offers those courses required in the first two years of most pharmacy programs. For details contact the pre-pharmacy advisor through the Department of Chemistry and Geology or the Department of Biology.

Pre-Engineering — Students planning to seek an engineering degree may take one of the following options at Columbus State University:

  1. The Regents Engineering Transfer Program (RETP). Students who meet the entrance requirements of the College of Engineering of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and who successfully complete the pre-engineering curriculum at Columbus State University will be accepted for transfer to the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech. (For more information see programs in the Department of Chemistry and Geology.)
  2. A student may choose to complete at Columbus State University those courses that are available and meet requirements of the degree at the institution to which the student plans to transfer. Among such institutions the student should consider are the University of Georgia and Mercer University. Because the University of Georgia and Columbus State University are units of the University System of Georgia, course credits transfer readily between them. Columbus State University and Mercer University have a formal articulation agreement which facilitates transfer.
  3. The Columbus State University-Georgia Tech 3-2 Program. This program offers students an opportunity to earn two baccalaureate degrees in related fields (one from Columbus State University and one from Georgia Tech) in a planned five-year program of study. Approximately three years of work is completed at Columbus State University on the initial baccalaureate program, including certain courses specified by the Georgia Institute of Technology. Upon completion of this course work, the student then transfers to Georgia Tech for two years of study toward completion of requirements for the baccalaureate degree to be conferred by that institution. Upon completion of the five-year program, both institutions award the separate degrees earned. A number of degree combinations are possible. For more information on pre-engineering, contact the Department of Chemistry and Geology.

Pre-Forestry — Students planning to pursue a forestry program can transfer one or two years of course work to other institutions. For example, those transferring to Auburn University can complete one year at Columbus State University and those transferring to the School of Forest Resources of the University of Georgia can transfer the freshman and sophomore course work. For more information contact the Department of Biology.

Special Programs

Intern programs — Columbus State University participates in the Georgia Legislative Intern Program, the Governor’s Intern Program, and the AFLAC Congressional Intern Program. All programs allow students to earn academic credit while serving in government and all provide stipends to defray living expenses. Interested juniors, seniors and graduate students should contact the Department of Political Science for additional information.

High School Joint Enrollment Program/Post-Secondary Options — The university, in cooperation with the local high schools and with the approval of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, makes available to selected high school students college courses with full credit. All students selected remain under the jurisdiction of their respective high schools, and courses taken must be approved by both high school and university officials. For additional information contact the director of admissions.

Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP) — The COMPASS ICAPP Program is the first project funded under Georgia's new Intellectual Capital Partnership Program. ICAPP is an innovative initiative designed to help businesses and colleges or universities establish partnerships to bring the vast intellectual resources of the University System of Georgia to bear on business-related problems. The COMPASS ICAPP Program, a partnership between Columbus State University and Total System Services, Inc., is designed to educate sufficient numbers of computer professionals in the area of mainframe computing to help Georgia's growing mainframe industry remain viable. Columbus State University won the University System of Georgia's Chancellor's Award for Collaborative Excellence for its efforts in developing this program and its partnership with Total System Services, Inc.

The ICAPP programmer education program is a six-month course. The curriculum includes courses in TSO, JCL, Assembler, COBOL, IMS, DB2, CICS, and Business Concepts and Applications. The business analyst education program is a six-month course, and includes courses in JCL, TSO, COBOL, Software Engineering, IMS, DB2, PC Applications, Communications, Finance and Banking, Economics, and Software Project Management.

Both programs carry 33 semester hours of college credit from Columbus State University. Individuals sponsored by Total System Services, Inc. or another sponsoring company will receive a service-cancelable loan from the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The HOPE Scholarship Program, which is available to qualified Georgia residents, may be used to pay for books and tuition for the program. Only students chosen for sponsorship by a certified company, such as Total System Services, Inc., will be admitted to the program. Individuals should apply with the specific company for sponsorship. Upon successful completion of the program, sponsored students will be offered full-time employment with the sponsoring company.

University System of Georgia Regents' Global Center — This is a statewide program for the study of language and culture. Courses are held in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Programs carry 10-15 semester hours of credit for eligible undergraduate students and 10 hours of credit for graduate students. Applications for the program and information on other University System foreign study programs can be obtained by contacting the Dean's Office, College of Arts and Letters, or by writing: USG Regents' Global Center, P.O. Box 4045, Atlanta, Georgia 30302.

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