California Coast University

I just graduated from CCU in June with a BS in Business Administration. It took me 2 years to complete the degree. Since graduating and posting on Linked In, I've been consistently contacted by recruiters. Last week, I accepted a position at a consulting firm for a junior analyst position with a salary in the mid 80s. I'm 25 years old and feel earning this degree was one of the smartest investments I will ever make in myself. Because the degree is accredited, I encountered zero problems. My new employer... Read More verified my degree by requesting the transcripts (they were sent electronically after I authorized). Most all schools offer online programs now. You can't beat the value, given the low tuition. The rigor of work is about the same as I encountered at the brick and mortar community college I attended (I transferred in 30 credits to CCU). I have only positive things to say about this university. I would never have gotten the job I did without this credential.

TLDR; *Seems* shady, but actually accepted by other schools and state/federal entities. I have mixed feelings. The school *does* seem shady from the web site design and marketing. However, they are accredited. I can tell you that multiple states do accept these credits towards psych licensure. Yes, you do have to pay to retake classes/exams if you fail. That is every school, including brick/mortar. So study. I never failed a test there though. When I attended in 2007, you had to have finals proctored... Read More by someone local (employer, religious official, local teacher, etc) and have this person sign off that they had done so. It is not the most rigorous curriculum, but it does satisfy requirements for transferring credits to other schools and state / federal acceptance of degree.

I am currently enrolled in the Ed.D program and can highly recommend it. Communication, infrastructure and administration are efficient and the staff are approachable. I usually get email responses immediately. Essay feedback has so far been quite thorough. If you're looking for a program that is business-like and straightforward, this has to be the most affordable, accessible, accredited professional doctorate out there. No mind-games or jargon. A particularly good choice for mature, returning or... Read More international students, as well as anyone seeking professional or personal development through education. California Coast University is a good school.

I had an overall great experience at California Coast. I get that there are places that might not readily accept CCU credits while there are many more that will.The whole national versus regional accreditation seems to depend on where you live. My state licensing board had no problem with my credits from CCU. The acceptance for DEAC seems to be growing as online education becomes more commonplace. My education at CCU overall was excellent. The choice of texts were top notch.. My other graduate degree... Read More is from Johns Hopkins and I worked equally hard for both degrees. I liked the consistent course format of four unit exams with essays and one final for each course. It worked well for me. I loved the self paced format. I despise the weekly online post requirements of schools like APUS (where I took some courses for a state license requirement), that seem to serve no useful purpose other than to check a meaningless box and suck up a lot of time. I write so much for my job that I would rather take have taken exams that have had to write novels for school. My only real complaint about the coursework at CCU is that there was no personal feedback on the unit essays. The essays were graded according to a rubric, but there never were any comments that might have helped me do a better job. At some point I decided to put more effort into exam prep and minimal effort into the essays which worked out fine. My MS in Psychology from CCU allowed me to make a later in life career change without taking a big hit in pay. It paid for itself almost immediately. Isn't that what it is all about? The staff is friendly and helpful. For someone like me who has blocks of time available at some times during the year and then not at other times the self paced format is ideal. I wasn't offered any kind of financial aid help or scholarship information. As far as I can ascertain there isn't any kind of financial help. While the payments are low and interest free, it is a bit of a lost leader. You cannot pay $125. or $150. a month (the typical payment plans offered) and pay off your program obligation by the time you finish your degree. At some point you have to come up with a chunk of cash. It is very nice that you can keep taking classes without having to come up with the money to pay for each class as you are ready to take them.

First: Administration responded to all my queries within twenty-four business hours. Second: School staff and administration enthusiastically supported my program progress. Lastly, and though nationally accredited, the course work is exceptional. My undergrad and masters were at regionally, brick-and-mortar institutions. Structured learning at CCU was on par with my experience at those institutions. Six years of continuous classwork and a dissertation (defense before a board required) have ended,... Read More but what I learned at CCU will stay with me. If you are disciplined and desire a real degree, take a look at CCU. My government employer recognized CCU. I am confident that once you begin your higher learning at CCU you will understand why this institution of learning has such great reviews and successful graduates.