Programs

Additional Information

Coursework requirements may be satisfied in the following ways:

Transfer of Credit

Transcripts of previously completed academic work are evaluated and credit may be transferred to meet existing coursework requirements.  The University will accept transfer credit from applicable courses completed at colleges or universities accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or foreign equivalent. 

Associate of Science degree students may receive transfer credit for up to 30 semester units.  Bachelor of Science degree students may receive transfer credit for up to 93 semester units.  To be eligible for undergraduate academic credit, transfer grades must be equivalent to a letter grade of C (2.0 gpa) or higher.  However, a maximum of three courses in which a letter grade of D (1.0 gpa) was earned may be considered for transfer credit during the evaluation process.

Transfer of Credit - Graduate Level

Persons wishing to enter the Graduate Degree Programs offered by CCU may transfer up to 2 courses (6 units) of previously completed coursework. Courses must have been completed at a College or University that is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or its foreign equivalent. Additionally, transfer grades earned must be equivalent to a letter grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher.  No specialized training or experiential learning credit can be awarded at the graduate level.

Transfer of Credit - Doctoral Level

Persons wishing to enter the Doctoral Degree Programs offered by CCU may transfer up to 2 courses of previously completed coursework. Courses must have been completed at a College or University that is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or its foreign equivalent. Additionally, transfer grades earned must be equivalent to a letter grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher.  No specialized training or experiential learning credit can be awarded at the doctoral level.

Specialized Training

Specialized Training allows undergraduate students to receive credit in the General Elective Category only. 

Specific training programs which a student may have completed through their employer, company, organization, military training experiences, professional or personal licensure requirements or other documented training experiences may be eligible for academic credit.

 Eligibility for Specialized Training is assessed at the application stage of the enrollment process. All supporting documentation of prior trainings are reviewed for equivalent elective credit.

Experiential Learning Credit

Experiential Learning allows undergraduate students to receive credit for Experiential Learning in the major field of study (core courses) only.

Eligibility for Experiential Credit is determined at the application stage of the enrollment process. The applicant’s educational background and work history are reviewed and an assessment is made indicating which courses may be eligible for credit by Experiential Learning.


Challenge Examinations

During the admissions process, all professional experience is reviewed to determine if an applicant has sufficient occupational experience to warrant taking a Challenge Examination in lieu of completing the Study Guide for a particular course.

An applicant may be offered an opportunity to complete a Challenge Examination if the candidate's occupational expertise appears to be comparable to the objectives identified for a particular course. Successfully passing a Challenge Examination will demonstrate an acceptable level of competence for that course. If a student does not pass a Challenge Examination they are assigned a Study Guide for completion.


Study Guides

California Coast University has developed comprehensive Study Guides, for each course, that are designed to coordinate and sequence the learning materials for the student. Study Guides are based on specific college level textbooks, which may be obtained from local bookstores, the publisher, or the University's Lending Library which is available by telephone, fax, e-mail or online via Coast Connection, the Student Portal.

Study Guides are organized in such a way that a student receives a complete syllabus for each course along with instructional materials, which guides the student chapter by chapter through the corresponding textbook.

Each Study Guide contains an overview and summary of each textbook chapter, along with a listing of important keywords (with definitions) and self-tests (with answers) on key points.

Study Guides include 4 "Unit Tests" equally spaced throughout the instructional materials, a brief writing assignment per unit, and the Final Examination. Examinations are designed to test the student on the preceding chapters. All tests are un-timed and may be completed as open book tests.

Proctored Examinations

Each degree program requires that a Proctor administer Final Examinations in the Major (or Core) courses and in all General Education courses. Proctored Examinations are conducted as un-timed open book examinations.

The purpose of the proctored examination is to verify that you are, in fact, the person who enrolled in the course of study. During proctored examinations, you may use your course textbook, and any notes that you have taken during the completion of your Study Guide.

The individual who will serve as the Proctor is selected by the student and approved by the University. Typical examples include members of the clergy, job supervisor, co-worker, librarian, counselor, etc. A Proctor can be any reputable person, other than a relative, current CCU student or CCU graduate.