California Coast University

It's best to first look at CCU's accreditation status in order to determine whether it is legitimate or not. This is a process in which third-party organizations test the quality of a school's education programs. CCU is an accredited member of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, and it's a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA is a nonprofit organization serving as a national advocate for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation. All of CCU's programs have been reviewed and approved by DEAC, which last reviewed the school in 2020.

Although online learning has in the past held a stigma about its legitimacy, today online degrees are respected just as much as the on-campus counterparts. This is mainly due to the advancement of learning management systems and schools, such as CCU, that are putting more resources into remote education.

CCU is best known for the flexibility that it offers online students. Its open admissions policy means that enrollment is available all year long with no specific start dates. Once a student is enrolled, they can study completely on their own schedule without adhering to classroom attendance requirements, meeting times, exam dates, or group projects. CCU's flexibility extends to international students as well.

CCU is also known for its affordable tuition costs, and it features interest-free payment plans. CCU also offers tuition discounts for law enforcement employees, government employees, firefighters, military, corporate partners, and CCU degree graduates. Its website features transparent pricing lists that show the cost of each credit, including those with discounts. 

In terms of its program offerings, CCU has several online business degrees — including a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Management — where students can learn valuable leadership skills that may lend to a career at the executive level. 

CCU allows the transfer of credits as long as it comes from another accredited institution. At the bachelor's level, students may transfer up to 93 semester credits. Associate, master's, doctorate, and certificate credits are also eligible for transfer to a CCU program. Students who have completed exams from certain programs, such as the Thomas Edison College Examination Programs (TECEP) or Advanced Placement Program (AP), may also be accepted. The latter greatly benefits students who participated in advanced high school courses. 

The difficulty level of any school depends on a wide variety of factors. Admission criteria and competitiveness can vary depending on the specific program or degree you are applying for, as well as the overall demand for enrollment at the institution. One aspect to consider is whether a school requires college entrance exams, which CCU does not. Overall, it's important to note that a school's difficulty level is subjective and can vary from one individual to another. The best approach is to thoroughly research the admission requirements and process for the specific program or institution you're interested in and prepare your application to the best of your ability.

 Applying to college means gathering documents, organizing transcripts, filling out applications, and preparing resumes. In order to be accepted into CCU, students must follow the series of steps listed below: 

• Complete an online application through CCU, which includes basic background information, education history, and a brief survey.
• Submit a resume that details previous work and volunteer experience as well as any additional academic experience.
• Submit existing college transcripts that show completed credits from other institutions.
• Submit documentation of previously completed training hours (applies to undergraduate degrees for up to 15 units in an associate degree program and up to 30 semester units in a bachelor's degree program). 

Many colleges charge application fees, and although CCU boasts affordable tuition and transparent pricing, students must still pay a $75 non-refundable application fee. (Admission requirements may vary for international students and doctoral candidates.)