Online MBA Programs in California | California Coast University

An Online MBA Built for California's Working Professionals

California moves fast. So do the people who build careers here. If you're a working professional in California looking for an online MBA program that fits your life — not the other way around — California Coast University was built for you. CCU's online Master of Business Administration is 100% online, fully self-paced, and designed from the ground up for people who are already working, already leading, and ready to take the next step without putting everything else on hold. No set class times. No campus commute. No semesters to wait for. Just an accredited, affordable MBA you can earn on your schedule, from anywhere in California or beyond.

What Is the Online MBA at CCU?

California Coast University's Master of Business Administration is designed to equip business professionals with the theories, strategies, and best practices needed to lead and compete in today's business environment. The program examines history, theory, research, and the forces shaping modern organizations — covering everything from financial management and marketing to leadership, ethics, and global business strategy.

The MBA consists of 13 core courses and 39 total semester units, followed by a Final Comprehensive Examination. Every course is completed entirely online at your own pace.

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

CCU was built from the ground up for working adults and busy professionals. Here's what makes the program different from other online MBA programs in California:

Admissions: Straightforward and Transparent

Getting started is straightforward. To be admitted to CCU's online MBA program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Leadership, or Management. A bachelor's degree in another field may be considered if the Admissions Committee determines the applicant has the necessary foundation to succeed in the program.

There are no GMAT scores required, no entrance exams, and no letters of recommendation. CCU evaluates each applicant individually, taking professional background and academic preparation into account. 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).

Questions about admissions? Call CCU's Admissions team at 1-888-228-8648.

Tuition and Payment Plans

CCU is one of the most affordable online MBA programs available to California professionals. Tuition for the MBA is $250 per unit. With 39 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 in Santa Ana, California, 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 MBA faculty bring more than academic credentials to the program — they bring real-world business experience. Instructors are selected for their ability to connect business theory to the practical realities of leading and managing organizations in today's environment. 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

"The educational value from what I learned is beyond valuable. Professionally, I am able to take what I learned and implement ideas and concepts. Personally, it's a huge accomplishment for me to receive a master's degree."
— R. Ramirez, Alumni, Organizational Leadership, 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

What Can You Do With an Online MBA?

An MBA opens doors across virtually every sector of the business world. CCU's program is built around the core competencies that employers value in managers and executives — strategic thinking, financial literacy, ethical leadership, and the ability to navigate complexity in a global environment.

Common areas of professional application for MBA graduates include business management and operations, marketing and brand strategy, human resources, financial management, project and program management, and entrepreneurship. For California professionals looking to move into senior leadership, an MBA provides the business foundation and credential that makes that advancement possible.

CCU also offers MBA concentrations in Business Marketing, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, and Management for professionals who want to focus their graduate study in a specific area.

Frequently Asked Questions: Online MBA Programs in California

What are the admissions requirements for CCU's online MBA?
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Leadership, or Management. A bachelor's degree in another field may be considered if the Admissions Committee determines the applicant has the necessary foundation to succeed in the program. No GMAT scores or entrance exams are required.

How long does it take to complete the online MBA?
The program is self-paced, so completion time depends on how quickly you move through the coursework. Students must complete at least one course every six 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 writing assignments, and taking exams when you're ready. Each course includes four unit exams, which may be completed as open-book tests. Final exams require a proctor approved by the University.

Can I start the MBA at any time of year?
Yes. CCU offers open enrollment for its MBA program — 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 CCU's online MBA cost?
Tuition is $250 per unit. The 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 on the unpaid balance.

Can I transfer credits into the MBA program?
Yes. MBA students may receive transfer credit for up to 6 semester units of previously completed master's-level coursework from accredited institutions, with a grade equivalent to a 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?
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.

Does CCU offer MBA concentrations?
Yes. In addition to the general MBA in Business Administration, CCU offers MBA programs with concentrations in Business Marketing, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, and Management. Each follows the same self-paced, fully online format.

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 Next Step Starts Here

If you're a California professional ready to advance your career with an MBA — but not ready to put your life on hold to get one — CCU has been building programs for people exactly like you for more than 50 years. No semesters to wait for. No campus to commute to. Just an accredited, affordable online MBA program designed for the way California professionals actually live and work.

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).