It is no longer news that California houses most of the fastest-growing industries like healthcare, software development, and finance in the States. What do you think would be the fate of the careers of students who obtain online degrees from such an environment? No doubt, they will do exceedingly well because it is also home to top-ranked colleges and universities, many of which offer online degrees. It has been established that individuals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree often enjoy more career opportunities than individuals who have only a high school education.
Also, in-state learners at California public schools are entitled to discounted tuition rates, but you must meet certain requirements such as residing in the state for 366 days prior to enrollment to qualify for in-state tuition. Moreover, members of the military are exempted from some residency requirements in California.
If you are searching for the most affordable online degrees in California, you should not forget to put into consideration each prospective school’s academic resources for online learners, and of course if the school is accreditated. Some institutions go the extra mile to provide virtual career and academic counseling, library services, and tutoring.
If you belong to the category of people searching for online universities to attend in California, below is a list of the top five of such universities.
1. San Diego State University
The school is best described as a leading public research university based in San Diego, California, partnering with the global campus to offer fully online undergraduate and graduate degree completion programs, and providing flexible education for working students.
Also, business administration, communication, criminal justice, economics, and public health are the major courses the San Diego State University’s online bachelor’s degrees concentrate on. Furthermore, SDSU offers online master’s degrees in teacher leadership, electrical engineering, epidemiology, regulatory affairs, and lastly, rehabilitation counseling. Interestingly, SDSU also permits students to attend their courses online or through a combination of on-campus and online classes.
Nevertheless, the institutions reject transfer applications from lower-division students who have less than 60 transferable credits. All applicants are mandated to submit their official high school transcripts, fill out the CSU common admission application, and pay a filing fee of 70 Dollars.
Finally, SDSU is accredited regionally by the WASC Senior Colleges and University Commission (WSCUC).
2. Biola University.
Biola University is a Christian university ranked nationally in La Mirada, California, offering fully online undergraduate programs, and also providing students with an affordable, flexible way to complete their studies.
Here are the degrees that Biola University offers online: Applied psychology, Bible, theology and apologetics, biblical ministries, business management, communication studies, early childhood, interdisciplinary studies, and public relations and digital media management, providing online programs all through the year, and seven-week course sessions.
The good news is that prospective students can apply to any of Biola’s online bachelor’s degrees for free of any charge. If you are a transfer student, the university will request transcripts from accredited colleges at no cost to its applicants, they also go the extra mile to assign admissions counselors to assist each applicant to go through the process.
Just like the SDSU, Biola University is accredited regionally by the WASC Senior Colleges and University Commission (WSCUC).
3. California State University-Chico
This institution is situated in Chico, California. California State University-Chico, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels offers online courses and degree programs that provide a pathway for working students to obtain their degrees.
The school’s Distance and Online Education programs involve bachelor’s degrees in courses such as social science, liberal studies, religious studies, and sociology. They also offer an online master’s degree in nursing amongst others and an online certificate program in career and life planning.
As a student, you can pursue an online/on-campus hybrid program in the bachelor of social work distributed learning degree, moreover, you get to learn via web-based, synchronous courses, offered on a rotating cycle.
Applicants who are interested must complete an online application form, and present all transcripts of records from institutions accredited regionally. Meanwhile, intending students of the school’s online programs are required to meet the technical requirements in computer and internet access.
Finally, California State University-Chico is accredited regionally by the WASC Senior Colleges and University Commission (WSCUC).
4. Willian Jessup University
The good thing about this Christian university located in Rocklin, California, is that they offer 17 accredited online degree programs both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Psychology, leadership, business, computer science, criminal justice, and healthcare administration are some of the online bachelor’s degrees courses Jessup offers. Furthermore, the institution offers online master’s degrees in leadership, kinesiology, and business administration.
Aside from the flexibility of the delivery of the online courses, students have access to Jessup’s success center, online tutoring sessions, and numerous books and resources from the Paul Nystrom Library.
Depending on the policy of the university, applicants are permitted to transfer up to 90 credits from the former accredited institution they attended. Applicants are expected to complete the school’s online application form and present all academic transcripts, and also SAT or ACT scores.
Lastly, William Jessup University is accredited regionally by the WASC Senior Colleges and University Commission (WSCUC).
5. Concordia University-Irvine
Concordia University situated in Irvine, California, offers online bachelor’s degrees for students working to further their education at their own speed.
Programs in business administration and leadership, Christian education leadership, healthcare management, and organizational psychology make up the institution’s bachelor’s degrees. Each of the online courses in CIU constitutes scheduled two-hour classes with professors and peers. With this, students are permitted to participate actively in live lectures and discussions. Furthermore, students of this program still benefit from the institution’s support resources and alumni network.
There is an online application form available on the school’s official website for applicants to complete. Students who intend to take the online courses are required to submit official transcripts from the colleges and universities from all previously attended schools and write a statement of intent, and you are required to hold at least a cumulative GPA of 2.4.
Concordia University-Irvine is accredited regionally by the WASC Senior Colleges and University Commission (WSCUC).
All about accreditation for Online Schools in California
It is expected that colleges and universities offering the most affordable online degrees in California should obtain regional accreditation issued by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Moreover, regional accrediting agencies are charged to evaluate postsecondary institutions in certain geographic areas. This accreditation serves as proof that a school meets high standards for academic quality.
Also, institutions that offer online degrees need to obtain national accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), they specialize in distance learning and access whether online programs deliver the same quality of education as the ones offered in on-campus programs. This accreditation ensures that all students whether online or not should receive the same learning outcomes.
Benefits of Studying Online?
The advantage of running online programs is that coursework is delivered asynchronously, thereby permitting students to view recorded lectures and complete assignments at the time it is convenient for them. If you are a degree-seeker raising children or working full time, this will in no small measure be of benefit to you.
Furthermore, online learning permits learners to consider schools and programs that are outside their geographic area, even students residing in other states or countries can take up the best online degrees in California. Nevertheless, there are certain programs that may be strictly for applicants in California or U.S.
Aside from the low tuition rates of online degrees in California, students can save the stress of spending on transportation, relocating, and housing costs.
In conclusion, if you are looking at studying in California, with the information we have given to you, you can freely choose from the aforementioned five depending on what you are searching for. Nevertheless, remember to verify if the institution is accredited.