California Coast University
| Type | Distance education university |
|---|---|
| Established | 1973 |
| Students | 8,000 |
| Location | , , |
| Website | http://www.calcoast.edu |
California Coast University (CCU) is a nationally accredited distance education university, accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The school is also fully approved by the State of California based on standards established in the California Education Code.
CCU offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, management, psychology, and education. The school has offered state-approved bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in business, management, psychology, and engineering.
Academic programs are oriented to mid-career, professional adults based on distance education techniques which include guided studies and independent research.
The school was founded in 1973 and is located in downtown Santa Ana, California. Approximately 8,000 students are enrolled at any given time.
History
CCU opened as California Western University in 1973 as a pioneer in distance learning. In 1981 it changed its name to California Coast University following a complaint by California Western School of Law over name infringement. CCU is not and has never been associated with nor related in any way to CWU or its descendants, the United States International University or Alliant International University.
Accreditation
CCU is a California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education approved university.[1] It should be noted that State Approval is an indication of quality, similar to national or regional accreditation, however it is not recognized as the equivalent of accreditation.
In January 2005 CCU was awarded national accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a recognized accreditor. DETC accreditation is institutional as is California State Approval (meaning all curriculums, facilities, and faculty) which follows an on-site evaluation by third-party inspectors. DETC is recognized by the US DOE to approve degree programs up to the masters level; however, as of June 2006, DETC has accredited two doctoral curriculums under a pilot program which includes the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Education (EdD) degree. CCU had discontinued admitting new doctoral students in order to meet the approved DETC guidelines at the time while currently enrolled doctoral students completed their curriculums without interruption. DETC indicates it will request recognition from US DOE to accredit professional doctorates in late 2006. CCU indicates it will reinstate its professional doctorate programs under the new DETC guidelines at the earliest opportunity.