Pace+ Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education
Currently Offered Programs
A.S. in Management Degree
Flexible. Personalized. Pass a course by demonstrating industry-set competencies, not by spending hours in a classroom seat. Totally online. Always on your schedule.
Flexible. Fast. Pace+
Pace+ is built to leverage your work experience and fast-track your degree! Earn your degree faster, PACE+ helps you leverage work experience into college credit. Check out our video and find out what Pace+ can do for you.
Ready to Apply?
Click on the button below to take you to the questionnaire and application.
What Makes Pace+ Different?
Coastline College’s Pace+ program is a direct assessment, competency-based program that allows students to leverage their personal and professional experience to earn their degree faster. This fully online program allows students to work on their own schedule, at their own pace, while being fully supported by faculty and staff at Coastline.
Advantages & Benefits of Pace+
- Break free of rigid, traditional semester schedules.
- One Fee, Full Access: Each 14-week term gives you unlimited access to the program’s competencies. You can complete as many as you’re able to master during the term.
- Start anytime—12 starts per year (14-week terms).
- Make rapid progress in your career and education.
- Leverage your experience to accelerate learning.
- Study fully online with cutting-edge virtual reality components.
- Complete at your own pace, on your schedule, and on your terms.
- Complete assessments when you’re ready and when it’s convenient for you.
- Enjoy dedicated counseling, faculty support, and student services when you need them.
How does Pace+ Work?
Pace+ operates on a subscription-based model with 14-week terms. Instead of paying per course or credit hour, students pay one low flat fee per term, which covers access to all learning materials, assessments, and faculty support. See the Pace+ Program Introduction for more information.
Is Pace+ right for me?
Take a questionnaire to find out if Pace+ is the right fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Pace+ offers a class I need, can I register?Only students enrolled in the Pace+ program can take classes designated for Pace+ students.
Pace+ is a full degree program and even though the classes have the same course numbers as those offered in the regular program, they are not available to general education or adult education students.
For more information about earning your Associate of Science, Applied Management through the Pace+ Program, follow the links to the application or contact us at paceplus@cccd.edu. -
What programs are offered?
Pace+ currently offers four degree programs: Associate of Science, Management (Applied), Associate of Science, Business (Applied), Associate of Science, Human Resources (Applied), Associate of Science, Marketing (Applied). These Associate of Science degree programs leverage the existing knowledge, skills, and abilities each student brings into the program.
The pre-planned paths through the coursework and competencies scaffold learning so that students are best prepared to succeed as they move through their chosen pathway. For students with work experience, this program provides them with the knowledge and skills to move up the career ladder to a manager role or to progress further along a supervisor/manager career path. -
Can I use financial aid?Students enrolled in Pace+ are eligible for both federal and state financial aid.
Visit the Coastline Financial Aid website for more information.
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When can I start?
Each Pace+ term is fourteen weeks. Terms begin once a month. Apply now for the next available start date:
- September 14, 2026
- October 5, 2026
- November 2, 2026
Pace+ terms begin once a month. For the full Pace+ Academic Calendar, visit the Coastline Academic Calendar page.
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When are applications due?
Applications can be completed at any time. Pace+ Applications
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What is the cost?
Instead of paying for each individual course, Pace+ students pay one low subscription fee that allows them to complete as many courses as they would like during a 14-week term.
For the 2026-2027 school year:
• Resident students pay $317.00 Per term
• Non-resident students pay $2717.00 Per term -
Can I transfer credits?
You can transfer a maximum of two courses into the Direct Assessment CBE program.
To be eligible for transfer, your credits must meet the following criteria:
- Course Mapping: The course must align with a specific competency already mapped within the CBE program.
- Grade Requirement: You must have earned a grade of A or B in the course to meet California Title 5 requirements.
- Recency: The grade must have been awarded within the previous five years.
- Financial Aid: Please note that financial aid is not awarded for any credits earned through transfer or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL).
- For Business Programs: The two courses that may be transferred are into the program are ENGL C1000 and Math C101.
Competency Based Education
Management Associate Degree
CBE
University of Phoenix
WGU