At a Glance

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.

“Promoting Academic Excellence in a Christian Environment”

Mission Statement Charleston Southern University

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. Through online programs students can develop these skills and advance in their educations remotely, and through participating in our online community further their walks in faith and fellowship as well. 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.

“To be a Christian university nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning, leading, and serving.”

Vision Statement Charleston Southern University

60+

Undergraduate Degree Programs

30+

Graduate Degree Programs

29

Online Degree Programs

Academics

Colleges

Accreditation

Specialized Accreditation

Accolades

Affiliations

Campus

12:1 — The benefit of a smaller classroom is more one-on-one interaction between professors and students.
300 acres — View the campus map, or take a virtual tour!
3,874 Enrollment (3,169 Undergraduate / 705 Graduate)
36.4% People of color
62.9% Female / 37.1% Male
22.2% Out-of-state undergraduates representing 46 states
32 Countries represented by international students
12.2% Undergraduates age 25 or older
338 Student-Athletes
2,217,974+ physical and electronic items in the L. Mendel Rivers Library

Who Are Our Students?

Traditional undergraduate students live on campus and attend classes in person. They experience the benefits of proximity to at-home NCAA Division 1 athletics, Sweet 16 student life events, weekly chapel, Elevate worship nights, intramurals, 50+ student organizations, and more.

Commuter students are traditional and nontraditional students living off-campus and attending classes in person. Traditional students experience an off-campus lifestyle with only a short drive to campus for events and activities from affordable residential areas in cities like North Charleston, Ladson, Goose Creek, Summerville, and Hanahan. Nontraditional students may be working and caring for families in addition to enjoying the in-person classroom experience. CSU also has the best parking of any college in the area and is a stop for Charleston’s metro bus transit, CARTA.

Online students are our most diverse group. From out-of-state undergraduate students to working parents seeking an advanced degree, the online program is preparing students from all walks of life who need the flexibility of an online program to take the next step in their career. Online students can get connected to campus life through online chapel, tutoring, career services, and more.

Graduate students are pursuing the next step in their career through an advanced degree. Some are fresh out of college and others are balancing life as a working professional and raising families. Many choose hybrid or online learning to accommodate their busy lifestyles in pursuit of their goal to attain an advanced degree.

NCAA Division I, competing in the Big South Conference

Athletics

Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Cross Country, Track and Field (indoor and outdoor), Volleyball, Golf, Tennis

Women’s Teams

Football, Basketball, Baseball, Cross Country, Golf, Track and Field (indoor and outdoor)

Men’s Teams

School Spirit

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 its 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!

Have you met Bucky?

At sporting events and special campus days, you can find Bucky walking around, cheering on CSU and hanging out with students. Bucky is the epitome of Buccaneer spirit.

Bucky the Mascot

Quick Links

Info for...