In 2007, the Colorado State University System Board of Governors voted to approve the creation of CSU-Global Campus, a fully online university that was to provide access and affordability designed to serve the unique needs of adult and nontraditional students in Colorado and beyond. Under this mission and vision, the Board also voted to fund the initial needs of the institution with a $12 million loan. CSU-Global opened its doors to 200 adult students in September 2008.
In 2009, the Colorado Governor signed Senate Bill 09-086 making CSU-Global Campus a statutorily independent university within the CSU System. The bill also made CSU-Global a self-funded institution not dependent on state general funds. The Board appointed the university’s first president in 2010 and the university developed a platform designed specifically to meet the needs of its adult, nontraditional learners. This includes accelerated 8-week courses with twelve start times per year, high touch advising, as well as 24x7 access to live tutoring, technical support, and library databases.
In June 2011, the university was awarded independent accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA-HLC), making CSU-Global the nation’s first 100% online, independent and regionally accredited public university. In August of that year, CSU-Global was approved for membership into the Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) and was placed at the top of the list of “Military Most-Friendly Colleges” thereby opening its doors to U.S. military members, veterans, and their dependents around the world.
The university has continued to keep class sizes at an average of 17 students per class (no more than 26 per course) and features highly responsive faculty that have academic credentials and current industry experience. Importantly, CSU-Global has remained focused on facilitating the personal, academic, and professional success of adults through its principles of low cost, high quality education, streamlined admissions process, and a simplified tuition model that includes no out-of-state tuition differential, a Tuition Guarantee, and no student fees.
As of May 2012, CSU-Global over 5,600 active students, has graduated nearly 800 students and has set a course to financial independence by paying off the original 12 million dollar startup loan. CSU-Global alumni report that their degree has helped them increase their job security, secure a promotion or better job in their current organization, or secure a job in a new field. The university boasts a first-to-third term retention rate of 83%; a 72% student achievement of learning outcomes at an 85% or higher level; and student satisfaction scores that meet or exceed the industry standards for online learning (Noel Levitz, 2012).
CSU-Global Campus is an innovative new approach to higher education that is dedicated to your success. Our mission statement, vision, and core values reflect this commitment to our students.
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View the latest university information in our downloadable CSU-Global Briefing Book.
