California Coast University
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
| Type | Distance education university |
|---|---|
| Established | 1973 |
| President | Dr. Thomas Neal |
| Students | 8,000 |
| Location | , , |
| Website | http://www.calcoast.edu |
Overview
California Coast University (CCU) is now a nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The school has been fully approved by the State of California since 1974, based on standards established in the California Education Code and regulated by the Bureau of Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE).
History
CCU currently offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, management, psychology, and education. Its former Ph.D. Program was terminated when it sought DETC approval. DETC doe not approve any correspondence Ph.D. programs. Academic programs are oriented to mid-career professionals who do not have the time or money to spend on a traditional degree and are based on distance education methodologies involving guided studies and independent research.
The school was founded in 1973 and its facilities are located in downtown Santa Ana, California. Approximately 8,000 students are enrolled at any given time.
CCU formerly a Diploma Mill has only recently been nationally accredited by the DETC. Always approved by the State of California regulated by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, not part of the California Department of Education, but part of the Consumer Affairs Division. [1] The institution does not currently hold any regional accreditation nor has it ever held any accreditation by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools.
In January 2005, CCU was awarded national accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), recognized to accredit at only the BS and MS level. DETC accredits correspondence schools such as locksmithing, hospitality management, etc. CCU terminated its doctoral programs in an attempt to earn tacit accreditation of some kind (see their web site) while still allowing enrolled doctoral students to complete their non accredited degrees. In light of DETC's expanded scope that recognizes professional (?) Doctorates, CCU has announced that it is applying to DETC in the first quarter of 2007 to re-offer professional doctorate programs.
Recent Developments
DETC was granted an expansion of scope by the U.S. Department of Education in January 2007 which permits it to recognize schools that offer professional doctorate programs such as Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Psychology, and Doctor of Education. As a result, CCU is anticipated to reinstitute its doctoral programs following DETC approval.