Associate to Bachelor's Online
Our goals are to 1) increase access to affordable online higher education, 2) reduce the time to degree completion through program articulation and collaboration among partners in support and instructional services, and 3) increase the number of students reaching degree completion.
About the Program (formerly Learning 1st)
The Associate to Bachelor's Online program is a collaborative partnership among five nationally recognized, regionally-accredited online institutions and Coastline College:
- National University
- Pennsylvania State University (Penn State World Campus)
- Troy University (Troy)
- University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS)
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass-Amherst)
Students select a specific educational pathway that leads to both an associate (AA) and baccalaureate (BA or BS) degree.
Each student will be assigned an advisor from both Coastline and the partner university in order to ensure that the student is provided with continuous advisement and guidance toward meeting the associate and baccalaureate degree requirements of both institutions. This collaborative student-centric approach among institutions substantially benefits the student. Additionally, students will enjoy 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.
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.
Services
- Financial Aid
- Students who meet the FAFSA general eligibility criteria may be eligible to receive financial aid. Find out more... Federal Student Aid - Basic Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Advising
- Academic advisers 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.
"What I loved about Coastline's Associate-to-Bachelor's Program is how much the faculty and staff cared about me and my education. Their door was always open, and they will guide you every step of the way. The counselor and program coordinator went above and beyond in explaining how I could get my Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Troy University in Alabama, and both degree programs were online. Plus, Troy accepted the classes I have already taken, and there was no application fee or waiting period." - Cathy Love, 2018 Coastline College Graduate
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Mission Statement
Mission
Learning 1st is a collaborative effort involving the League for Innovation in the Community College, Coastline College, Pennsylvania State University, Troy University, the University of Illinois-Springfield, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, that is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Learning 1st 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.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply?
- By completing and submitting the Online Program Application, and any other required materials for your selected degree pathway, your application will be reviewed by both schools in your desired program.
- 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?
- Learning 1st is a collaborative partnership among Pennsylvania State University (Penn State World Campus), Troy University (Troy), the University of Illinois-Springfield (Online UIS), 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 a second admissions application or application fee.
- What are the requirements?
- Students must meet the following requirements to remain in the Learning 1st program:
- Penn State World Campus, Troy University & University of Illinois-Springfield
- Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this 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 L1st 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 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:
- Penn State World Campus* & University of Illinois-Springfield
- 4 year tuition rate freeze (*once a student begins taking their courses)
- Troy University & University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management
- 4 year tuition rate freeze (*once a student begins taking their courses)
- How can I get more information?
- Contact Us: (714) 241-6326 X16323 or toll free: (866) 422-2645 X16323
Student-Centered Program
Achieve success with Advisors, Counselors, Tutors, and University Partner Resources to help you throughout your program.
Degrees
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Accountancy
Accountancy
Coastline College + National University
Business Administration / Accountancy (AA or AS-T) + Accountancy (BS)
Overview of Coastline + National University in Accountancy
Concentration
Accounting Professional Skills
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the program and meet all requirements, including a 2.0 GPA in all Coastline coursework, and good disciplinary status.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BS
Coastline College AA Business Administration + National University BS Accountancy
AS-T + BS
Coastline College AS-T Business Adminstration + National University BS Accountancy
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Business Administration
Business Administration
Coastline College + UMass-Amherst, Isenberg School of Management
Business Administration (AS) + Business Administration (BBA)
Overview of Coastline + UMass-Amherst in Business Administration
Fact Sheet for Coastline + UMass-Amherst in Business Administration
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.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AS + BBA
Coastline College Business Administration (AS) + UMass-Amherst Business Administration (BBA)
Coastline College + National University
Business Administration (AA or AS-T) + Business Administration (BBA)
Concentrations
- Accountancy
- Alternate Dispute Resolution
- Business Law
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing
- Project Management
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the program and meet all requirements, including a 2.0 GPA in all Coastline coursework, and good disciplinary status.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BBA
Coastline College Business Administration (AA) + National University Business Administration (BBA)
AS-T + BBA
Coastline College Business Administration (AS-T) + National University Business Administration (BBA)
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Computer Science
Computer Science
Coastline College + University Illinois-Springfield
Computer Networking (AS) + Computer Science (BCS)
Overview of Coastline + UI-Springfield in Computer Science
Fact Sheet for Coastline + UI-Springfield in Computer Science
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this degree program.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AS + BCS
Coastline College Computer Networking (AS) + UI-Springfield Computer Science (BCS)
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Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
Coastline College + University Illinois-Springfield
Computer Networking (AS) + Information Systems Security (BS)
Overview of Coastline + UI-Springfield in Cybersecurity
Fact Sheet for Coastline + UI-Springfield in Cybersecurity
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this degree program.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AS + BS
Coastline College Computer Networking (AS) + UI-Springfield Information Systems Security (BS)
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Early Childhood
Early Childhood
Coastline College + National University
Early Childhood (AA or AA-T) + Early Childhood (BA)
Overview of Coastline + National University in Early Childhood
Concentrations
- Early Childhood Administration
- Infant and Toddler
- Teacher Education
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the program and meet all requirements, including a 2.0 GPA in all Coastline coursework, and good disciplinary status.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BA
Coastline College Early Childhood (AA) + National University Early Childhood (BA)
AA-T + BA
Coastline College Early Childhood (AAT) + National University Early Childhood (BA)
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Global Business
Global Business
Coastline College + Troy University
Business (AA) + Global Business (BS)
Overview of Coastline + Troy University in Global Business
Concentration
Human Resource Management
Enrollment Requirements
Business students are allowed a maximum of three attempts to complete any business courses in the pathway with a passing grade of "C" or better, in order to maintain eligibility for the program.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BS
Coastline College Business (AA) + Troy University Global Business (BS)
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Human Services
Human Services
Coastline College + Troy University
Human Services (AA) + Human Services (BS)
Overview of Coastline + Troy University in Human Services
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this degree program.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BS
Coastline College Human Services (AA) + Troy University Human Services (BS)
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Psychology
Psychology
Coastline College + Penn State World Campus
Psychology (AA) + Psychology (BA or BS)
Overview of Coastline + Penn State in Psychology
Concentrations
- Business
- Life Science
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this degree program.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BA
Coastline College Psychology (AA) + Penn State Psychology (BA)
AA + BS
Coastline College Psychology (AA) + Penn State Psychology (BS)
Coastline College + Troy University
Psychology (AA) + Psychology (BS)
Overview of Coastline + Troy University in Psychology
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this degree program.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BS
Coastline College Psychology (AA) + Troy University Psychology (BS)
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Sociology
Sociology
Coastline College + National University
Sociology (AA or AA-T) + Sociology (BA)
Overview of Coastline + National University in Sociology
Enrollment Requirements
Students must maintain continuous enrollment in the program and meet all requirements, including a 2.0 GPA in all Coastline coursework, and good disciplinary status.
Degree Plan Roadmaps
AA + BA
Coastline College Sociology (AA) + National University Sociology (BA)
AA-T + BA
Coastline College Sociology (AA-T) + National University Sociology (BA)
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!
- National University
- National University is the second-largest private, nonprofit university in California. NU was founded in 1971 by retired U.S. Navy Capt. David Chigos. Our mission is to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 165,000 alumni worldwide.
- Penn State World Campus
- The idea of distance education is not a new concept for us. We've been offering Penn State courses at a distance for more than 100 years. In 1892, Penn State founded one of the nation's first correspondence courses. And in 1998, we were one of the first major accredited universities to provide online education.
- Troy University
- Troy University has convenient, flexible course delivery - you can access all of the resources of a world-class university from anywhere at anytime.
- University Illinois-Springfield
- Online learning at Illinois Springfield offers flexibility and convenience with the same high quality as our on-campus coursework.
- 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.