Columbus University (Louisiana)

Columbus University is an unaccredited distance education institution that has been based at different times in Louisiana and Picayune, Mississippi.

The institution initially operated in Louisiana under a provision of state law that exempted tax-exempt nonprofit entities from licensing requirements. In November 1998, The Irish Times discussed Columbus in an article, "A dirty dozen - 12 famous diploma mills." After state legislation was revised to require licensing, Columbus University was issued a state license in September 2000, conditioned on seeking accreditation. When Columbus failed to apply for accreditation, its license was revoked and the school was closed down by the state of Louisiana as an illegal diploma mill

Subsequently, Columbus relocated to Mississippi. It is listed by Mississippi authorities as a "non-approved" entity. In 2008 it was reported that the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education had revoked a license previously granted to Columbus University. In May 2010, WWL-TV in New Orleans reported that the FBI was investigating Columbus University as a diploma mill, and had recently raided the Columbus operations located in a duplex in New Orleans.

Columbus has been accredited by the World Association of Universities and Colleges (WAUC), although this body is not recognized by the United States Department of Education.

In 2003 and 2004, U.S. news media reported that Charles Abell, an Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Defense, listed a master's degree from Columbus University in his official biography and his Senate confirmation statement. Media reports identified Columbus as a diploma mill. The Office of the Secretary of Defense was quoted as defending Abell with the following statement:

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