California Southern University


California Southern University is a private, for-profit, university that began its operations in 1978. It offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs 100% online in psychology, business and management, risk management and regulatory compliance, criminal justice, nursing, and education. California Southern University is located in Costa Mesa, California.

History

The university was established in California on December 27, 1978, by Dr. Donald Hecht as a traditional correspondence school, and received its initial approval to offer degree programs from the California Department of Education. It originally offered associate level programs, then expanded to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. During the 1990s, the university added distance learning programs in the fields of business, psychology and law. The University is now recognized as an online degree granting institution.
Until June 2007, the university was known as the Southern California University for Professional Studies and was located in Anaheim, California.

Accreditation and approvals

California Southern University offers bachelor's, master's and professional doctorate degrees entirely online without physical attendance on campus. The University is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The WASC Senior College and University Commission provides regional accreditation for a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions throughout California, Hawaii, and the Pacific as well as a limited number of institutions outside the U.S. Through its work of peer review, based on standards agreed to by the membership, the Commission encourages continuous institutional improvement and assures the membership and its constituencies, including the public, that accredited institutions are fulfilling their missions in service to their students and the public good.
The WASC Senior College and University Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation for certifying institutional eligibility for federal funding in a number of educational and vocational programs, including granting student access to student financial aid.
The California Southern School of Business received programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
The California Southern School of Nursing's baccalaureate and master's degree programs received programmatic accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
California Southern University is licensed to operate in California by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Memberships

California Southern University is a member of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, and "Silver Sponsor" in the United States Distance Learning Association. The California Southern University School of Business is an "Educational Member" of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

Tuition

Most Popular Programs:
California Southern University offers 12 degree programs and 10 post-baccalaureate certificate programs. The most popular programs are the master's degrees in business and psychology, and the Doctor of Psychology and the Doctor of Business Administration.

School of Behavioral Sciences

The State of California Board of Psychology accepts California Southern University's Doctor of Psychology degree as meeting the educational requirements for licensure to practice as a clinical psychologist.
The State of California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts California Southern University's Master of Arts in Psychology degree as meeting the educational requirements for licensure as both Marriage and Family Therapist, and for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.

School of Law

The California Southern University School of Law is an unaccredited correspondence law school which offers two graduate-level degrees, the Master of Science in Law and the Juris Doctor. The school is registered with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California as a "Registered Unaccredited Correspondence Law School", which is sufficient to qualify its graduates to sit for the California Bar Examination provided they complete 864 hours of preparation and study over four years. A typical JD degree at an accredited institution is three years. It is not registered with or accredited by the American Bar Association.

Bar Examination Pass Rate

In the July administration of the California Bar Examination in 2015, two of two first-time takers passed the examination, for a pass rate of 100 percent. For the years 2008 through 2013, 20 graduates have taken the California Bar Examination as first-time takers; of that number, five passed the examination for a pass rate of 25 percent.

Notable alumni