Completing Coursework

Coursework requirements may be satisfied in the following ways:

Study Guides:

California Coast University has developed comprehensive Study Guides, for each course, that are designed to coordinate and sequence the learning materials within the required textbook. The following points will help to illustrate how the Study Guides are designed:

Study Guides are based on specific college level textbooks, which may be obtained from local bookstores, the publisher, or the University's Rental Library.
Each Study Guide is organized with a complete syllabus, along with instructional materials to guide the student chapter by chapter through the corresponding textbook.
Each Study Guide contains an overview and summary of all textbook chapters, along with a listing of important keywords (with definitions) and self-tests (with answers) on key points.
Study Guides include 4 unit exams equally spaced throughout the instructional materials, one writing assignment per unit, and the final examination. Students must take a minimum of two weeks to complete the course requirements, before requesting the final examination.
Doctor of Education students are required to complete 4 written assignments for each unit examination.
Examinations are designed to test the student on the information contained within the preceding chapters.
All tests have no time limits.

Proctored Examinations:

Each degree program requires that a Proctor administer the final examination for all Major (or Core) courses and all General Education courses. Elective courses may also be assigned a Proctored final examination to meet minimum Proctored examination requirements. The purpose of the proctored examination is to verify that the person completing the final examination is in fact, the person who enrolled in the course of study. The following points will help provide additional information on the proctored Final Examination:

The individual who will serve as the Proctor is selected by the student and approved by the University. Typical examples include members of the clergy, job supervisor, co-worker, librarian, counselor, etc. A Proctor can be any reputable person, other than an immediate family member, someone that resides with you, a current CCU student, a former CCU student, or CCU graduate. Immediate family is defined as the following: Spouse, Parent, Child, Sibling, Grandparent, and/or Grandchild.
The final examination will be sent directly to the Proctor via mail or email.
The proctored examination may be completed via a "pencil and paper" test or online. Proctored examinations may be completed in multiple sessions.
Proctored examinations have no time limit.
During proctored examinations, students may use the course textbook, and any notes taken during the completion of the Study Guide.

Challenge Examinations:

During the admissions process, all professional experience is reviewed to determine if an applicant has sufficient occupational experience to warrant completing a Challenge Examination in lieu of a Study Guide for a particular course. The following factors are considered:

An applicant may be offered an opportunity to complete a Challenge Examination if the candidate's occupational expertise appears to be comparable to the objectives identified for a particular course.
Successfully passing a Challenge Examination will demonstrate an acceptable level of competence for that course.
If a student does not pass a Challenge Examination they are assigned a Study Guide for completion.
The maximum amount of Challenge Examinations allowed for each program level are: Associate 4; Bachelor's 10; Master's 2; Doctorate 0; and Certificates 1.

Specialized Training - (Associate and Bachelor's Level only):

California Coast University recognizes that not all learning occurs through a college or university. Therefore, it is possible to receive academic credit based on previously completed specialized training. The following guidelines are utilized when evaluating specialized training:

Documented training such as those a student may have completed through their employer, company, organization, military training experiences, professional or personal licensure requirements, or other documented training experiences may be eligible for academic credit.
Eligibility for specialized training is assessed at the application stage of the enrollment process. All supporting documentation of prior training is reviewed for equivalent elective credit.
Students have 45 days from the date of enrollment to submit documents for specialized training credit. If applicable, credits will be awarded and tuition will be adjusted accordingly.
For specialized training documents received after the initial 45 days, there will be a re-evaluation fee of $75.00 charged. Any academic credit awarded will be applied to the student's program, but there will be no tuition adjustments made after the initial 45 days of enrollment.
Specialized training credit can be utilized to meet elective course requirements only.