Associate to Bachelor's Online
Increasing access to affordable online higher education and reducing the time to degree completion.
About the Learning 1st Program
The Associate to Bachelor's Online program / Learning 1st is a collaborative partnership between the nationally recognized, regionally-accredited online institution, University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass-Amherst) and Coastline College.
Students select a specific educational pathway that leads to both an associate (AA) and baccalaureate (BBA) degree.
Each student will be assigned advisors from both Coastline and the partner university in order to ensure that the student is provided with continuous advisement and guidance toward meeting degree requirements of both institutions.
Students also benefit from a four-year tuition rate freeze - or tuition reduction - at the time of program admission and receive access to both institution's online student support services, resources, and libraries throughout their course of study, and the fee structure employed by Coastline is consistent with the tuition rates charged by all California Community Colleges.
Apply: Associate to Bachelor's Online
Degree Details
Coastline College + UMass-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management
Degree Plan AA + BBA:
Coastline College Business Administration (AA) + UMass-Amherst Business Administration (BBA)
Concentrations
- Accounting
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Operations/Information Management
Enrollment Requirements
Students who have been admitted to the Conditional Enrollment Program will be assured space in the Online BBA upon completion of their Associate degree provided that they maintain continuous enrollment and meet all requirements, including a 2.7 minimum grade point average, for entry into the major.
Program Information
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Mission Statement
The Associate to Bachelor's Online program is a collaborative effort involving the League for Innovation in the Community College, Coastline College, Troy University, the University of Illinois-Springfield, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, that is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Associate to Bachelor's Online program promotes unique, sustainable, online degree completion models that decrease the amount of time and associated costs required for students to earn a bachelor's degree from a prominent four-year university.
This consortium is committed to increasing the capacity of community colleges to provide online baccalaureate degree completion pathways for low-income and working adults.
Goals
Our goals are:
- to increase access to affordable online higher education
- to reduce the time to degree completion through program articulation and collaboration among partners in support and instructional services
- to increase the number of students reaching degree completion
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Benefits
- Affordable - Less expensive than most other 4-year degree programs.
- Convenient - Balance your life's responsibilities while earning your degree online.
- Student-Centered - Access to Advisors, Counselors, Tutors and University Partner Resources to help you throughout your program.
- Higher Retention & Graduation Rates - Our institutions have much higher retention and graduation rates compared to leading for-profit universities.
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Services
- Financial Aid
- Students who meet the FAFSA general eligibility criteria may be eligible to receive financial aid. Find out more with Coastline's Financial Aid Office.
- Academic Advising
- Academic Counseling will be available to help students in the decision making process. They will guide and recommend the most suitable degree pathway for students.
- Virtual Library
- Students accepted into the program and registered with the appropriate institution(s), will be granted access to the virtual libraries.
- Tuition Guarantee
- Students who complete the program within four years are guaranteed either a tuition freeze or rate reduction depending on the degree pathway.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply?
- The application is online and free. In addition to this application, you should also have an active admission status at Coastline, as it will allow you to register for classes. Your application will be reviewed by both Coastline and the partner university.
- To apply, start here.
- Am I eligible for financial aid?
- Students who meet the FAFSA general eligibility criteria may be eligible to receive financial aid. Please see this website for more details: Federal Student Aid - Basic Eligibility Criteria
- What is this program?
- The Associate to Bachelor's Online program is a collaborative partnership with the University of Massachusetts (UMass-Amherst) and Coastline College. The program is designed to decrease the amount of time and cost required for students to earn a bachelor's degree in an online format from a prominent four-year university.
- Students will receive lower division/general education instruction from Coastline College based upon the student's desired degree path. Students who meet the required university standards of admission (GPA, etc.) will then complete their bachelor's degree with the online university partner without having to submit the application fee. (Under payment, choose "MassCommColl Student" to waive the fee.)
- What are the requirements?
- Students must meet the following requirements to remain in the program:
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management: Students who have been admitted to the Conditional Enrollment Program will be assured space in the Online BBA upon completion of their Associate degree provided that they maintain continuous enrollment and meet all requirements, including a 2.7 minimum grade point average, for entry into the major.
- What are the services provided?
- The partner institutions currently offer comprehensive and robust online programs to their students. Each of the program collaborations will provide a unique student experience based upon the distinct online resources and services of the partner schools. Every Associate to Bachelor's Online student will be assigned advisors upon admission to the program. These advisors will work together with the student to ensure that each student is able to meet the requirements necessary to earn both an Associate and Bachelor's degree in their chosen pathway.
- Students also receive access to both schools online resources, student services and virtual libraries upon initial admission to the program. At the time of transfer to the university, no additional application or fee is required.
- Students who complete the program within four years are guaranteed the following:
- How can I get more information?
- Contact Us: Learning1st@coastline.edu
Guided Pathways
An integrated, institution-wide approach to student success based on intentionally designed, clear, coherent and structured educational experience, informed by available evidence, that guide each student effectively and efficiently from her/his point of entry through the attainment of high quality postsecondary credentials and careers with value in the labor market.
Institutions
- Coastline College
- With almost 30 years' experience in distance learning, Coastline College offers a variety of college-credit course options to meet your educational needs. Take our online courses and work at your own time, place and speed.
- University Massachusetts-Amherst
- The Isenberg School of Management's Online BBA program provides a flexible learning environment that delivers a superior AACSB-accredited education with the same curriculum as the onsite program.
- League for Innovation in the Community College
- The League has a core of powerful and innovative community colleges that serves nationally and internationally as a catalyst, project incubator, and experimental laboratory for community colleges around the world. The League for Innovation in the Community College helped lead this important initiative.
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- This program has been funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, guided by the belief that every life has equal value, they work to help all people lead healthy, productive lives and seek to ensure that all people, especially those with the fewest resources, have access to the opportunities needed to succeed.