Charleston Southern University Charleston Southern University , founded in 1964 as Baptist College , is an independent comprehensive university located in North Charleston , South Carolina . Charleston Southern enrolls 3 , 300 students . Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention , the university ' s vision is to be nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning , leading and serving . Academics . The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor ' s and master ' s degrees . CSU students can choose from more than 50 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business , criminal justice , and education as well as nursing ( BSN and MSN programs are available ) . Each degree program is combined with a comprehensive liberal arts foundation which is designed to develop problem - solving and communication skills . The Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing ( CSU ' s nursing program ) offers a three year BSN program that works closely with area hospitals . Post - grad they offer a MSN with an emphasis on education . In 2010 , the program was expanded to offer a 2 - 1 ADN to BSN program with Trident Technical College . CSU ' s nursing program is on par with the top programs in the United states . The School of Business maintains one of the larger MBA programs in the state of South Carolina . While the GMAT is not required for admission , the administration has maintained a flexible yet rigorous MBA program where students can attend face - to - face classes , take online courses , or a combination of both . Campus . Charleston Southern is located right off Exit 205B on I - 26 in North Charleston , South Carolina . It is situated on , formerly the site of a rice and indigo plantation . Recently , CSU has become a tobacco free campus and has always discouraged alcohol use . Student activities . Beyond the classroom , students can participate in a variety of campus activities including academic clubs , service organizations , intramural athletics and campus ministries . Intramural athletic activities include flag football , basketball , volleyball , ultimate frisbee , and more . Campus ministries include Campus Crusade for Christ , Fellowship of Christian Athletes , Prison , Campus Outreach , and Elevate . Student life . Single students under 21 years of age are encouraged to live on campus . To enter the dorm hallways , one must scan his or her electronic pass for the doors to unlock . There are no curfews , but members of the opposite sex are not allowed in each others dorm rooms . There are at least two dining facilities on campus ; one is the cafeteria located in the Strom Thurmond Student Center and the other is a coffee shop called Java City serving an aray of coffee beverages , sandwiches and snacks as well as being a student gathering place . Students can obtain a meal plan and put money on their cards for purchasing meals . Commuter students can take advantage of this option as well , purchasing a dollar amount meal plan or 1 a day meal plans . Athletics . The university offers intercollegiate athletics for both men and women , competing in the NCAA Division I Big South Conference . Charleston Southern fields teams in the following sports : In 2008 , CSU closed its highly successful men ' s tennis program to reallocate funds to other sports . CSU formerly fielded a men ' s soccer team .