Degrees Offered at California Southern University
California Southern University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Best Most Affordable Master’s in Project Management Online Degrees.
California Southern University is an online college that offers accredited associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a wide range of disciplines. The mission of CalSouthern is to educate working adult learners in a convenient and stimulating manner. Students at CalSouthern receive highly personalized mentorship from dedicated professors. Class sizes at CalSouthern are very small, and each student receives one-on-one support from a large faculty of professors, administrators, counselors, and mentors. CalSouthern is one of the few accredited universities in the country to offer a doctor of psychology degree program entirely online.
In all, there are more than 30 accredited degree programs to choose from at CalSouthern. The available degree options include undergraduate and graduate programs in business, behavioral science, biology, liberal arts, law, and nursing. Students can choose a degree major at the time of enrollment, or they can wait until they have earned some credit in a particular subject before declaring a major. Because classes last eight weeks and begin each month with a new cohort, course scheduling is flexible and easy for busy adult students to manage.
Several non-degree certificates are available online at CalSouthern. The School of Business offers a post-baccalaureate certificate for business school graduates looking for a professional stepping stone to a university MBA program. Certificate specializations include business management, human resources, financial management, project management, and international business. The business school also offers a doctorate of business administration (DBA) program for students who already possess a master’s of business administration degree. The DBA program is designed for business professionals who want to acquire the highest level of professional expertise in the subject of their interest.
Each academic department at CalSouthern offers a bachelor’s program and at least one master’s program. The most popular bachelor’s degree at CalSouthern is the bachelor of business administration, and the most popular master’s program is the master of science in nursing. Although the online programs at CalSouthern are flexible and convenient, students should be prepared for a rigorous and challenging experience. Classes move quickly and cover a wide range of information during a semester. Professors at CalSouthern are highly effective communicators who provide personalized instruction for every student.
About California Southern University
Dr. Donald Hecht created Southern California University for Professional Studies (SCUPS) in 1978. The original mission of the university was to provide a reliable method of correspondence learning for busy professionals at a time when distance education was less common and less accessible than it is today. Dr. Hecht was an engineer for the first half of his working life. He became interested in higher education in midlife when he gained experience as an adult learner.
SCUPS offered a one-to-one ratio of professors to students so that working adults could receive the optimal educational experience. During the first few decades of the university’s operation, distance education was administered through postal correspondence. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, an online component was gradually added to the education model. Students greatly benefited from the personalized mentoring approach to distance learning offered by SCUPS. In 2007, the name of the school was changed to California Southern University. All degree programs offered by CalSouthern moved to a fully online format. Degree offerings have continued to increase as student enrollment has expanded. Today, CalSouthern offers accredited degree programs in over 30 subjects, including behavioral science, law enforcement, biology, business, nursing, and law.
California Southern University Accreditation Details
CalSouthern is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) to grant a wide range of online doctoral degrees, including the only nationally accredited doctor of psychology degree in the country. The DEAC is a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and it is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a federally approved accrediting agency.
In 2015, CalSouthern became regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in all academic departments. Regional accreditation is the most reliable form of accreditation. It guarantees that credits earned at CalSouthern can be transferred to other accredited universities.
Some degrees at CalSouthern are programmatically accredited by specialized agencies. The School of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Council for Higher Education Accreditation has approved all of the above-mentioned agencies.
California Southern University Application Requirements
Applying to CalSouthern is a very straightforward process, and most applications for enrollment are accepted. Because all degree programs at CalSouthern are conducted online, students are able to take advantage of a rolling enrollment system with monthly start dates. To apply for enrollment, prospective students must visit the online application page and complete the enrollment form. Each application must include a high school or college transcript with information about the student’s GPA, class ranking, class size and course schedule. Applicants must also include SAT, ACT or GRE test scores.
Graduate school applicants must complete a two-page written essay for enrollment to ensure that every student is a good match for their degree program. The application fee at CalSouthern is $75, and applicants will usually receive a response within two weeks of submission. After the application has been accepted, students can consult a guidance counselor about choosing a degree program that matches their interests and goals.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California Southern University is a private and tuition is generally affordable for students in any location. The cost of tuition at CalSouthern is about $6,490 per year for in-state and out-of-state residents. When the cost of books, food, room, board, and personal expenses is added to the total, the price of education is increased by $12,000 to $20,000 per year. Online degrees at CalSouthern are designed for working adult professionals, so living expenses are typically not a problem for most students.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website offers university students an online application form for federal financial aid. Pell Grants and subsidized and unsubsidized loans are available to students who can demonstrate financial need. Public student loans do not need to be repaid until three months after the student drops below half-time enrollment status. California Southern University offers support and guidance for students looking for grants, scholarships, and loans through its financial aid office.