A brief look at CSU
Charleston Southern University is an independent, comprehensive Christian university grounded in the liberal arts tradition, affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Founded as the Baptist College at Charleston in 1964 upon the principle that students should have an opportunity for a quality education under the guidance of Christian faculty, the institution changed its name to Charleston Southern University in 1990 to reflect the offering of graduate programs. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Charleston Southern University’s vision is to be a “Christian university nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning, leading and serving”; the university’s mission is “Promoting Academic Excellence in a Christian Environment.” That excellence is demonstrated throughout the curriculum. Each undergraduate degree program is built upon a comprehensive liberal arts foundation which develops and strengthens the student’s skills in critical thinking and reasoning. Through their majors students are prepared to enter professions or graduate studies. In the master’s programs, students are exposed to the significant research of their professions and are educated in current trends and developments in their chosen fields. Doctoral students engage in their fields of study at the highest levels, participating in research or intensive clinical placements to develop and demonstrate expert knowledge of their professions.
Mission
Promoting Academic Excellence in a Christian Environment
Vision
To be a Christian university nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning, leading and serving.
Founded
1964
Accredited
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Specialized Accreditation
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- National Association of Schools of Music
- American Music Therapy Association
- Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing
- Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
Affiliated
South Carolina Baptist Convention
Campus
300 acres — click here to view the campus map or take a virtual tour
Colors
Blue (Pantone 295) and Gold (Pantone 7503)
Academics
Colleges
- College of Adult and Professional Studies
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Christian Studies
- College of Nursing
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Science and Mathematics
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Full-Time Faculty
192
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
13-to-1
Student Body
3,378 Enrollment (2,745 Undergraduate / 633 Graduate)
34.1% People of color
64% Female / 36% Male
17% Out-of-state undergraduates representing 43 states
40 Countries represented by international students
17% Undergraduates age 25 or older
97% Receiving financial aid
Tuition, undergraduate full-time
$27,800 (annual)
Room & Board
$10,400 – $12,000 (annual)
Library
- 568,000+ physical and electronic items
- 185 databases
- Selective Depository in the Federal Depository Library Program
Athletics
NCAA Division I, competing in the Big South Conference
- Men’s teams: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Cross Country, Golf, Track and Field (indoor and outdoor)
- Women’s teams: Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Cross Country, Track and Field (indoor and outdoor), Volleyball, Golf, Tennis
Mascot
Accolades
- America’s 100 Best College Buys
- America’s Best Christian Colleges
- US News & World Report #11 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (top-ranked in S.C.)
- US News & World Report #8 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (top-ranked in S.C.)
- US News & World Report Best Colleges
- US News & World Report Best Online Non-MBA Business Master’s
- VA Yellow Ribbon Program
- Military Friendly School
Alma Mater
Hail to thee, O Charleston Southern: Fount of God’s great truth and knowledge. We thy children all sing praises ever more to thee. Source of inspiration, beacon of salvation; Honor, Courage, Faith and Justice, These thou hast taught us day by day. Hail to thee, O Charleston Southern, Alma Mater Hail!
CSU Victory
The BUCS will find a way to get it done. CSU will give it’s all until the game is won. The BUCS will FIGHT AND FIGHT (shout it!) till victory. And will not stop till we’re at the top, Champions we’ll be, YO HO!