Online MBA Program In California | California Coast University

An Online MBA in California That Works Around Your Career — Not Against It

Most professionals pursuing an MBA in California already have something to show for their career. What they don't always have is the time to sit through a traditional graduate program. California Coast University's online Master of Business Administration was built for exactly this situation — a rigorous, accredited MBA program delivered 100% online, entirely self-paced, with no scheduled class times, no group projects, and no campus requirements. Whether you're in California or anywhere else in the country, CCU's online MBA lets you advance your business education without stepping away from the work you're already doing.

CCU's Online MBA: Program Overview

The Master of Business Administration at California Coast University equips business professionals with the theories, best practices, and applied tools to compete and lead in today's business environment. Students examine history, theory, research, and the factors shaping how businesses are managed — across the full spectrum of business disciplines — through a self-paced, online curriculum designed for working professionals.

The MBA program consists of 13 core courses plus a Final Comprehensive Examination, totaling 39 semester units.

MBA Concentrations Available at CCU

In addition to the core MBA, CCU offers four specialized MBA concentrations — all 100% online and self-paced — for students who want to tailor their graduate business education to a specific area of focus:

Why CCU's Online MBA Stands Apart

California's MBA landscape includes programs at a wide range of institutions — many of them requiring significant time commitments, in-person attendance, and price tags to match. CCU offers a different proposition: a genuinely flexible, affordable, accredited online MBA that doesn't ask you to choose between advancing your education and continuing your career.

Admissions: Direct and Transparent

CCU's MBA admissions process is designed to be straightforward. To be considered for the program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Leadership, or Management is preferred. A bachelor's degree in another field may be considered if the Admission Committee determines the applicant has the necessary academic foundation to succeed in the program.

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 for the Online MBA

CCU's online MBA is priced to reflect its mission of making graduate business education genuinely accessible. Graduate tuition is $250 per unit. With 39 total semester units in the MBA program, your investment is clear and predictable from the moment you enroll — no surprises, no hidden fees, and no distinction between in-state and out-of-state students.

Your tuition rate is locked in at enrollment and will not increase as long as you remain in good academic and financial standing within the same program. 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 professionals pursuing their MBA receive tuition assistance through their employer. Check with your HR department to find out whether educational reimbursement is available to you — it's one of the most common and underutilized ways CCU students reduce their out-of-pocket cost.

The Institution Behind Your MBA: 50+ Years of Experience

Choosing where to earn your MBA matters. California Coast University has been delivering accredited distance education since 1973 — over 50 years of building programs for working professionals who need academic quality without the constraints of a traditional campus. CCU was one of the earliest institutions in the country to recognize that the people most deserving of graduate education are often the ones least able to access it through conventional means. That conviction has shaped every program CCU has built since.

CCU holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California and is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

CCU's MBA faculty are professionals who combine academic credentials with real-world business experience — selected not only for their expertise but for their ability to bring applied, practitioner-informed knowledge into the courses they teach. The School of Administration and Management is led by Dr. Peng Chan, who holds a Law degree with top honors, an MBA in Corporate Strategy and Finance, and a PhD in Strategic Management — a background that reflects the depth and applied orientation CCU brings to its business programs.

What CCU Business Alumni 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

What Can You Do With an Online MBA From CCU?

An MBA from CCU signals advanced business knowledge, strategic thinking, and a commitment to professional development — qualities that translate across industries and organizational settings. Whether you're looking to move into a leadership role, strengthen your management capabilities, transition into a new sector, or simply deepen your understanding of how businesses operate, the CCU online MBA is designed to support that progression. CCU graduates re-enrolling in any program also 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).

Frequently Asked Questions: Online MBA at CCU

What does CCU's online MBA program include?
The MBA consists of 13 core courses and a Final Comprehensive Examination, totaling 39 semester units. Core coursework covers management information systems, human resource management, marketing management, financial management, international business management, organizational behavior, business law, business ethics, project management, leadership, strategic management, e-commerce management, and the research process.

What are the admission requirements for the online MBA?
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's in Business Administration, Leadership, or Management is preferred; degrees in other fields may be considered at the discretion of the Admission Committee. 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).

How does the self-paced online MBA format work?
There are no live sessions, no scheduled class times, and no group project deadlines. You progress through each course independently at your own pace. Students can complete course requirements in as few as two weeks, with an expected investment of at least 136 hours per course, and must complete a minimum of one course every six months. Final examinations require a proctor selected by the student and approved by the University — typical examples include a 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. Immediate family is defined as: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and/or grandchild.

Can I start the online MBA at any time?
Yes. CCU's open enrollment means there are no cohort start dates, semester cycles, or application windows. You can apply and begin at any point during the year. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

How much does CCU's online MBA cost?
Graduate tuition is $250 per unit. The MBA program consists of 39 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. No interest is charged and no credit check is required, however past due payments will be assessed a past due fee.

Can I transfer previous graduate credits into the MBA program?
Yes. Master's degree students may transfer up to 6 semester units of previously completed coursework from an accredited institution, provided courses were completed with a grade of B (3.0 GPA) or higher. No specialized training or experiential learning credit can be awarded at the graduate level.

Does CCU offer financial aid for the online MBA?
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 employer tuition reimbursement — check with your HR department to find out what options may be available to you.

Are there MBA concentrations available?
Yes. In addition to the core MBA, CCU offers four specialized concentrations — all 100% online and self-paced: MBA in Business Marketing, MBA in Health Care Management, MBA in Human Resource Management, and MBA in Management.

Is CCU's online MBA accredited?
Yes. CCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU also holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.

What is the academic calendar for California Coast University?
CCU operates on rolling 16-week terms beginning approximately every three to four weeks, enabling year-round, continuous enrollment. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Take the Next Step With CCU's Online MBA

You've built your career. Now it's time to build on it. CCU's online MBA gives California professionals — and students everywhere — a direct, flexible path to an accredited graduate business degree that fits around the demands of a working life. No campus. No cohort schedule. No waiting for a program start date that works for everyone else.

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). CCU holds Institutional Approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.