Online Degree Programs in California | California Coast University

Online Degree Programs in California | California Coast University

Online Degree Programs in California from a University Built for Working Adults

Earning a degree does not have to mean sitting in traffic twice a week, rearranging your work schedule, or waiting for the next enrollment window to open. California Coast University offers accredited online degree programs that remove every one of those barriers. No campus. No commute. No fixed class times. Just structured, rigorous coursework you can complete from anywhere, on a schedule that fits your life.

Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Santa Ana, California, CCU has spent more than 50 years doing one thing well: helping working adults earn degrees they thought were out of reach. The format has always been online and self-paced because that is what working adults actually need.

Take the first step today. Apply Now

Online Degree Programs Across Every Level

CCU offers a full range of accredited programs from associate through doctoral, organized across five academic schools. Whether you are earning your first college credential, completing a bachelor's degree you set aside years ago, or advancing to a graduate or doctoral level, there is a program here for you.

School of Administration and Management
Programs in this school are designed for professionals navigating the demands of business, management, health care administration, and organizational leadership in a complex global economy. Degrees are available from the associate level through the MBA and Master of Arts.

• Associate degrees: Business Administration, Business Marketing, Health Care Administration
• Bachelor's degrees: Business Administration, Business Marketing, Health Care Administration, Management, Organizational Behavior
• Master's degrees: MBA in Business Administration, MBA in Business Marketing, MBA in Health Care Management, MBA in Human Resource Management, MBA in Management, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
• Certificates: Undergraduate certificates in Business Administration, Fundamentals of Finance, Fundamentals of Management, Fundamentals of Marketing, and Health Care Administration; Graduate certificates in Business Administration, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Management Studies, Marketing Studies, and Organizational Leadership

School of Arts and Sciences
The General Studies programs in this school are built to help students develop a broad educational foundation that serves both professional and personal goals. Programs are available at the associate and bachelor's level.

• Associate degree: General Studies
• Bachelor's degree: General Studies

School of Behavioral Science
Programs in behavioral science focus on the study of human behavior, psychology, and the application of that knowledge across professional settings. Degrees are available from the associate through master's level.

• Associate degree: Psychology
• Bachelor's degree: Psychology
• Master's degree: Master of Science in Psychology
• Certificates: Fundamentals of Psychology Undergraduate Certificate, Psychology Studies Graduate Certificate

School of Criminal Justice
Criminal justice programs at CCU cover the full spectrum of the field, from foundational theory through advanced graduate study in public safety and national security. Degrees are available from the associate through master's level.

• Associate degree: Criminal Justice
• Bachelor's degrees: Criminal Justice, Homeland Security
• Master's degree: Master of Science in Criminal Justice
• Certificate: Fundamentals of Criminal Justice Undergraduate Certificate

School of Education
Education programs at CCU are designed for professionals who are already working in or preparing to lead in educational settings. All education programs are at the graduate level.

• Master's degrees: Master of Education in Administration, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
• Doctoral degrees: Doctor of Education in Educational Administration, Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology, Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
• Certificates: Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Certificate, Educational Administration Graduate Certificate

How CCU's Online Programs Work

100% Online, No Campus Required — Every course at CCU is completed entirely online. There are no in-person requirements, no campus visits, and no attendance requirements. Coursework is accessible from any location with an internet connection.

Self-Paced Study — CCU does not operate on a traditional semester system. Students study at their own pace, on their own time. There are no group projects, no required meeting times, and no fixed exam schedules. Each course requires a minimum of 136 hours of study, and students are required to complete a minimum of one course per six-month period to remain on track toward graduation.

Open Enrollment — CCU accepts students year-round. There are no application deadlines, no semester windows to wait for, and no enrollment cutoffs. You can apply and begin at any time. VA students and students using tuition assistance programs should note that their enrollment and progress milestones are tied to CCU's term calendar.

Transfer Credits — Prior college-level coursework may count toward your CCU degree when applicable and when applicable to CCU's degree plan. Transcripts from regionally or nationally accredited institutions are evaluated individually. Contact Admissions to have your prior coursework reviewed before applying.

Credit for Professional Training and Experience — Many students come to CCU with years of professional training, military service, or specialized industry experience. Credit for qualifying on-the-job training and professional development may be available when applicable. Specialized training documents submitted after the initial 45 days of enrollment are subject to a $75 re-evaluation fee.

Textbook Rental — Required course textbooks can be rented through CCU's Rental Library at approximately $35 per book for a 120-day rental period. Textbooks are not included in tuition.

Admissions Requirements

CCU's admissions requirements for undergraduate programs are straightforward. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Submit a completed application and $75 application fee
• Provide official transcripts from any previously attended colleges or universities, if applicable
• Non-English-speaking applicants must submit official TOEFL scores demonstrating English proficiency

Graduate program admissions requirements vary by program. Contact Admissions for details specific to the program you are interested in.

Tuition and Payment Plans

What It Costs
Undergraduate tuition at CCU is $170 per semester unit. Graduate tuition is $250 per semester unit. Because CCU operates exclusively online, it keeps overhead low and passes those savings to students.

All tuition rates are locked in at the time of enrollment and will not increase as long as students remain in good financial and academic standing in the same program. If enrollment is interrupted and reinstatement is required, the tuition rate in effect at the time of reinstatement will apply.

Interest-Free Payment Plans

Plan A: $500 down, then $150 per month. A $500 payment is due at the time of acceptance. The remaining balance is paid at $150 per month beginning one month from the official enrollment date. No interest is charged on the unpaid balance.

Plan B: $300 down, then $175 per month. A $300 payment is due at the time of acceptance. The remaining balance is paid at $175 per month beginning one month from the official enrollment date. No interest is charged on the unpaid balance.

Plan C: Pay in full at the time of acceptance.

Note: Accounts with past-due balances are subject to a $10 late fee. Returned payments incur a $25 returned payment fee.

10% Tuition Discount — Effective January 1, 2026, CCU offers a 10% tuition discount for active-duty service members, veterans, law enforcement officers and employees, firefighters and employees, U.S. government employees, CCU graduates, and corporate partner employees. This discount is not retroactive for students already enrolled and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Employment or service verification is required. Ask our Admissions Representatives about applicable discounts.

Employer Reimbursement — Many CCU students receive tuition reimbursement through their employers. Check with your employer's HR department to find out whether you qualify for educational assistance before you enroll.

About California Coast University

California Coast University was founded in 1973 in Santa Ana, California, with a clear mission: to serve motivated professionals who could not complete a traditional degree because of their schedule, their location, or the cost of conventional higher education. More than 50 years later, that mission has not changed.

CCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Maintaining that accreditation across five decades reflects a consistent commitment to quality, rigor, and student outcomes.

The faculty at CCU are practitioners. They bring real-world professional experience from the fields they teach, so coursework is grounded in applied knowledge rather than theory alone. Qualified student services staff are also available throughout a student's program to provide support and guidance when needed.

CCU's mission is to offer quality, affordable, flexible online education that is valuable both personally and professionally, with programs built to keep pace with the demands of a changing workforce.

What Students Say

"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

"I'm very happy that this could work with a full-time work schedule. I will be recommending to anyone who is looking for flexibility."
— K. Kast, Alumni, Criminal Justice, California Coast University

"This college degree holds value both personally and professionally. It fostered critical thinking, discipline, and a deeper understanding of the world, while also serving as a credential that can open doors, enhance my career prospects, and signals a commitment to my long-term goals."
— M. Perez, Alumni, Criminal Justice, California Coast University

"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

What You Can Do With a CCU Degree

A degree from CCU can support career advancement, a field change, or a personal milestone that has been on hold for years. Graduates go on to work across a wide range of industries and roles, including business administration, public safety, health care management, human resources, marketing, education, and organizational leadership.

CCU also offers a clear path for continued academic growth. Students who complete an associate degree can continue to a bachelor's program. Bachelor's graduates can continue to a master's program. Master's graduates in education and organizational leadership can continue to the doctoral level. Career outcomes vary by individual, program, background, and other factors.

Frequently Asked Questions: Online Degree Programs in California

What online degree programs does CCU offer? CCU offers online degree programs from the associate through doctoral level across five academic schools: Administration and Management, Arts and Sciences, Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, and Education. Fields of study include business administration, business marketing, criminal justice, education, general studies, health care administration, homeland security, human resource management, management, organizational behavior, organizational leadership, and psychology. Certificate programs are also available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

How long does it take to earn a degree at CCU? Completion time depends on how quickly a student moves through the coursework. CCU requires a minimum of one course per six-month period, and each course requires at least 136 hours of study. Students who can commit more time each week will progress faster than those with tighter schedules. The self-paced format gives students control over their timeline.

What does studying online at CCU actually look like from day to day? There are no live lectures, group meetings, or required class sessions. Students study using CCU-developed course guides alongside the required textbook for each course. When a student is ready to take a course exam, they select their own proctor, subject to university approval. Proctors cannot be an immediate family member, a housemate, or a current CCU student.

Is there a deadline to apply or enroll? No. CCU has open enrollment and accepts applications year-round. Students can begin at any time. VA students and students using tuition assistance programs should contact Admissions about CCU's term calendar requirements before enrolling.

How much do CCU's online degree programs cost? Undergraduate tuition is $170 per semester unit. Graduate tuition is $250 per semester unit. CCU offers three interest-free payment options: Plan A ($500 down, then $150 per month), Plan B ($300 down, then $175 per month), and Plan C (full payment at acceptance). Accounts with past-due balances are subject to a $10 late fee.

Can I transfer credits from another college or university? Credits from regionally or nationally accredited institutions may transfer when applicable and when applicable to CCU's degree plan. A grade of C or better is generally required for transfer credit consideration. Transcripts are evaluated individually by the Admissions team before enrollment.

What financial assistance options are available? CCU does not participate in federal financial aid programs. Students may be eligible for VA Benefits, MyCAA for qualifying military spouses, or employer tuition reimbursement. Contact CCU's Admissions team or your employer's HR department to explore options before you apply.

Can I continue to a higher degree after completing a program at CCU? Yes. CCU offers programs at every academic level. Associate degree graduates can continue to a bachelor's program. Bachelor's graduates can continue to a master's program. Students in education and organizational leadership programs can continue to the doctoral level. Contact Admissions to understand how completed coursework applies to the next program.

Is CCU accredited? Yes. California Coast University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU has maintained this accreditation since its founding in 1973.

What are CCU's 2026–2027 term dates? CCU's terms are 16 weeks in length, with new terms beginning approximately every three to four weeks to accommodate rolling enrollments. The following is the 2026–2027 academic calendar:

Annual Holidays Observed: New Year's Day (01/01/2026) | Day After New Year's Day (01/02/2026) | Presidents' Day (02/16/2026) | Memorial Day (05/25/2026) | Independence Day (07/03/2026) | Labor Day (09/07/2026) | Thanksgiving Day (11/26/2026) | Day After Thanksgiving (11/27/2026) | Christmas Day (12/25/2026)

Note: VA students and students using tuition assistance programs must follow the term calendar for enrollment and progress milestones.

Find Your Program and Apply Today

CCU's open enrollment means there is no reason to wait. Whether you are ready to start an associate degree, finish a bachelor's, or advance to a master's or doctoral program, the next step is the same. Apply now and an Admissions Representative will walk you through the rest.

Apply Now

Admissions: 1-888-228-8648 | Students: 1-714-547-9625

Note: VA students and students using tuition assistance programs should contact Admissions regarding term calendar requirements prior to enrolling.

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