Associate in Business Administration Online | California Coast University

Earn Your Associate in Business Administration — 100% Online, On Your Schedule

You've got real-world business experience. You understand how organizations run, how teams operate, and what it takes to get things done. Now it's time to back that up with a credential. At California Coast University (CCU), you can earn your Associate of Science in Business Administration completely online, at your own pace, with no set class times, no group projects, and no campus visits. Start whenever you're ready — there are no semester deadlines standing in your way.

What Is the Associate of Science in Business Administration at CCU?

The Associate of Science in Business Administration at California Coast University provides a foundational understanding of the theories, principles, and best practices that drive modern organizations. Through this program, you'll examine history, theory, research, and the forces shaping today's business environment — covering business communications, information management, marketing, management, and organizational theory and behavior.

The program consists of 20 total courses and 60 semester units, broken into three areas of study:

Built for Real Life: How CCU's Online Program Works

CCU was built from the ground up for working adults and busy professionals. Here's what makes the program different:

Admissions Requirements

Getting started at CCU is straightforward. To be admitted to the Associate of Science in Business Administration program, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have successfully obtained a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalent from a U.S. educational institution

There are no SAT scores, no entrance exams, and no letters of recommendation required. Prospective students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency in English through TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Tuition and Payment Plans

CCU is committed to keeping education affordable. Tuition for the Associate of Science in Business Administration is $170 per unit. With 60 total units in the program, your total investment is transparent and predictable from the moment you enroll.

To make tuition as accessible as possible, CCU offers three interest-free payment plans:

Your tuition rate is locked in at enrollment — as long as you remain in good academic and financial standing in the same program, your rate will not change. Students who do not remain in good standing are subject to new tuition rates upon reinstatement. A 10% discount is available for active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, U.S. government employees, CCU graduates, and corporate partner employees (employment or status verification required, for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and tuition discounts cannot be combined with other offers). Many CCU students receive tuition reimbursement from their employers. Check with your HR department to find out if you qualify for educational assistance.

About California Coast University

Few institutions can claim what CCU can: more than 50 years of dedicated distance education, built from the ground up for students who don't fit the traditional campus mold. Founded in 1973, California Coast University was one of the earliest pioneers of flexible, distance-based learning in the country — long before online education became mainstream. That history isn't just a number. It represents decades of refining what works for working adults, military personnel, parents, and professionals who need real flexibility to earn a real credential.

CCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

CCU's business faculty bring more than academic credentials to the program — they bring real-world experience in their fields. Instructors are selected based on their ability to connect business theory to the practical realities of managing and leading organizations. The School of Administration and Management is led by Dean Dr. Peng Chan, who holds a law degree with top honors, an MBA in Corporate Strategy and Finance, and a Ph.D. in Strategic Management.

What CCU Graduates Say

"I found it to be extremely rewarding to finish my schooling and receive the degree. Very flexible to work around being a parent and working full time to complete the schooling necessary for the degree."
— D. Paschel, Alumni, Business Administration, California Coast University

"In a world where a degree is practically required for any decently paying job, this program made obtaining a degree feel more accessible to someone like me."
— S. Fidel, Alumni, Business Administration, California Coast University

"Getting my degree was a personal goal, I am now the first person in my family to have obtained my Bachelor's degree."
— M. Raymond, Alumni, Business Administration, California Coast University

"CCU is an excellent option for people who have busy careers. Getting my degree was important to me and CCU helped me obtain that."
— B. Odell, Alumni, Criminal Justice, California Coast University

What Can You Do With an Associate in Business Administration?

An Associate of Science in Business Administration provides a foundational credential that can open doors to entry-level and supervisory roles across a wide range of industries, while also serving as a stepping stone toward further education. The program builds core business literacy — management, marketing, communications, organizational behavior, and information management — that applies across virtually every sector.

Common career paths for business administration graduates include roles in operations, office management, sales, customer service management, human resources, and general business administration across industries. CCU also offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for students who want to continue advancing their education after completing their associate's degree.

Frequently Asked Questions: Associate in Business Administration at CCU

What are the admissions requirements?
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent from a U.S. educational institution. There are no SAT scores, entrance exams, or letters of recommendation required.

How long does it take to complete the Associate in Business Administration?
The program is self-paced, so your timeline depends on how quickly you move through the coursework. The minimum time to complete the associate's degree is 9 months and the maximum is 5 years. Students must complete at least one course every 6 months to remain in good academic standing.

What does self-paced study actually look like day to day?
There are no live classes, no scheduled login times, and no deadlines tied to a calendar. You work through coursework independently — reading, completing assignments, and taking exams when you're ready. Each course requires a minimum of two weeks before the final exam can be requested. The program requires a proctor to administer the final examination for all core and general education courses. Elective courses may also be assigned a proctored final examination. The proctor is selected by the student and approved by the University — typical examples include a job supervisor, co-worker, librarian, or member of the clergy. A proctor cannot be an immediate family member, someone who resides with you, or a current or former CCU student.

Can I start the program at any time of year?
Yes. CCU offers open enrollment, meaning there are no semester deadlines or application windows. You can apply and begin your coursework at any point during the year. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

How much does the Associate in Business Administration cost?
Tuition is $170 per unit. The program consists of 60 total semester units. CCU offers three interest-free payment plans: Plan A is $500 down and $150/month; Plan B is $300 down and $175/month; or pay the full balance at enrollment. There is no interest charged on the unpaid balance.

Can I transfer credits I've already earned?
Yes. CCU accepts transfer credit from U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited institutions. Up to 30 applicable semester units can be applied toward your associate's degree, provided the courses were completed with a grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher and are applicable to CCU's degree plan.

Can I get credit for professional experience or on-the-job training?
Yes. CCU offers elective credit for documented professional training completed through an employer, the military, a licensing program, or another verifiable source. Students have 45 days from enrollment to submit documentation for review. Additionally, up to 4 Challenge Examinations are available at the associate level — if your professional experience is comparable to a course's objectives, you may be able to test out of that course rather than completing the full study guide.

Does CCU offer financial aid?
CCU does not participate in federal financial aid programs. However, the university accepts VA Benefits, MyCAA benefits for eligible military spouses, and company-paid tuition vouchers. Many students also receive tuition reimbursement from their employers — check with your HR department to find out what may be available to you.

Can I continue to a bachelor's degree after completing my associate's?
Yes. CCU offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for students who want to continue their education. The associate's and bachelor's are separate programs — students who want both credentials complete the associate's first before enrolling in the bachelor's program. CCU graduates enrolling in any program receive a 10% tuition discount (for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and discounts cannot be combined with other offers).

Is CCU accredited?
Yes. California Coast University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

What is the academic calendar for California Coast University?
California Coast University utilizes rolling 16-week terms that begin approximately every three to four weeks, allowing for flexible, year-round enrollment rather than a traditional semester schedule. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Your Path Forward Starts Today

If you've been waiting for the right time to formalize your business knowledge with a degree — this is it. CCU's Associate of Science in Business Administration was built for people exactly like you: working, motivated, and ready to finish what they started. No semesters to wait for. No campus to drive to. Just an accredited, affordable online degree program that works around your life.

VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Questions? Call Admissions at 1-888-228-8648 or Students at 1-714-547-9625

California Coast University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).