Columbia Southern University Reviews of Bachelor's in Occupational Safety

First off, I'm not here to put down CSU. There were a lot of good things that came from my time here. For example, they allowed me to be the first in my family to get a degree higher then an A.S. They also gave me credits that I just by chance were able to transfer to a good grad school. However, there are too many negatives to count so I'll just hit a few of the biggest. First, they are a for-profit university and they are not regionally accredited. I'll put it this way, when an interviewer sees... Read More a school name on your resume, and ask if it's accredited, this isn't good (kind of makes you feel like Joe Pesci). Also, the whole learning experience is not great. I didn't realize this until I went to another school for my masters but there is almost no support, and you are extremely on your own. All in all, it did get me a pretty good raise at the time.

I’ve completed both my associates and bachelor’s in Occupational Safety and Health with Columbia Southern University (CSU). CSU’s Occupational Safety and Health program is recognized by both the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). Both of these agencies are the credentialing authorities for Safety Practitioners and CSU is the only nationally accredited institute recognized by BCSP for having a Qualified Academic Program (QAP).... Read More What this means is that the same rigor found in regionally accredited QAP’s are administered at CSU, essentially you are learning the same BCSP & IHMM approved course material as any other qualifying university. There seems to be a lot of conflicting “first hand” accounts regarding the accreditation value of this degree that I hope I’ve been able to clear up. Upon completion of a bachelor’s in Occupational Safety and Health, you can apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation through BCSP. This designation can be applied toward the eligibility to sit for testing of the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) without having to attain the Associate Safety Professional credential. Additionally, you can apply for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) credential through the IHMM once you are completed with your bachelor’s. Lastly, at the writing of this review, the IHMM has begun a pilot program with CSU that allows students to apply for the Student Hazardous Materials Management (ST-CHMM) credential. The value of education you receive at CSU for completing the bachelor’s in Occupational Safety and Health is recognized by all major credentialing authorities and the U.S. Department of Education. If you want a solid education in Occupational Safety and Health administered by leading industry professionals, this is a great place to start that journey. -AM1, USN, Ret.

I earned my Bachelor's of Science this year and one reason I chose this school is because they are accredited with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. One reviewer gave a one star rating because he said the school manufactured reviews. I can assure you that I am not affiliated with the staff of the school besides being a student. You have to earn your grades and yes I did realize that some instructors were stricter than others. I gave 4 stars because of some technical problems I've had with... Read More the school when my financial aid ran out and while the school worked with me, it was still an aggravating circumstance. Great school and great instructor, lowest priced online accredited school in the United States, but watch your financial aid status otherwise it'll be a lot of red tape. Also, read every email from the school because sometimes their curriculum becomes changed or updated as they become accredited by another certification body. I'm happy with my degree and employers accept it because of their reputation.

When I decided to return to school to finish my B.S., I wanted an online school that offered a degree in occupational safety and health. I did not want a generic business degree. CSU fit the bill perfectly. The classes were structured to fit a person who works full time plus off work commitments. The staff and professors are great, and will work with you to assist you. Every one I worked with, from the Outreach Representative, to my Counselor, to all of my professors were very knowledgeable, and... Read More I am thankful to all of them. If you are thinking of returning to school, I would highly recommend CSU.