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 1^st is a collaborative partnership among nationally recognized, regionally-accredited online institutions and Coastline College: University of Illinois-Springfield (UIS), and 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 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 Pathways

• 
  Business Administration (CC + UMass-Amherst)
• 
  Computer Science (CC + Univ. of Illinois - Springfield)
• 
  Cybersecurity (CC + Univ. of Illinois - Springfield)

Degree Details

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

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.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Coastline College + University Illinois-Springfield

Degree Plan AS + BCS:

Coastline College Computer Networking (AS) + UI-Springfield Computer Science (BCS) - Contact Learning1st@coastline.edu for details.

Enrollment Requirements

Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this degree program.

CYBERSECURITY

Coastline College + University Illinois-Springfield

Degree Plan AS + BS:

Coastline College Computer Networking (AS) + UI-Springfield Information Systems Security (BS) - Contact Learning1st@coastline.edu for details.

Enrollment Requirements

Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum grade point average to remain eligible in this degree program.

More Info

NCAE in Cyberscurity

What Students are Saying

"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

Program Information

• Mission & Goals

  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:

  1. to increase access to affordable online higher education
  2. to reduce the time to degree completion through program articulation and collaboration among partners in support and instructional services
  3. to increase the number of students reaching degree completion
• Benefits

  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

  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.

• FAQs

  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 among 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 program:

  • 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 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:

  • University of Illinois-Springfield: 4 year tuition rate freeze (once a student begins taking their courses)
  • Troy University & UMASS-Amherst: 4 year tuition rate freeze (*once a student begins taking their courses)

  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 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.