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 CSU’s 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If a student drops, withdraws from, is institutionally withdrawn from, or fails a course, the student will be responsible for the cost of the textbook unless one of the following occurs: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.

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 CSU’s 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 http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/about-csu/accreditation-licensure/external-complaint-process.

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.