California Southern University
Encyclopedia
California Southern University (previously called Southern California University for Professional Studies prior to June 2007) is a private American university
that began its operations in 1978. The University offers associate, bachelor's
, master's
and doctoral degree programs in business, psychology, criminal justice, and law. California Southern University is located in Irvine, California
.
. The University originally offered associate level programs, then expanded to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. During the 1990s, the University added distance learning programs in the fields of business, psychology and law.
by the Distance Education and Training Council
(DETC). The DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA).
California Southern University is licensed to operate in California by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
.
(USDLA). The School of Business is an Educational Member of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
(IACBE).
The Board of Behavioral Sciences in the state of California accepts California Southern University's Master of Arts in Psychology (MA) degree as meeting the educational requirements for licensure to practice as a marriage and family therapist.
as an Unaccredited Correspondence Law School, which qualifies its graduates to sit for the California Bar Examination. It is not approved by the American Bar Association.
Private university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
that began its operations in 1978. The University offers associate, bachelor's
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
, master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
and doctoral degree programs in business, psychology, criminal justice, and law. California Southern University is located in Irvine, California
Irvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
.
History
The University was established in California on December 27, 1978, as a traditional distance learning school, and received its initial approval to offer degree programs from the California Department of EducationCalifornia Department of Education
The California Department of Education is a California agency that oversees public education. The department oversees funding and testing, and holds local educational agencies accountable for student achievement...
. The University originally offered associate level programs, then expanded to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. During the 1990s, the University added distance learning programs in the fields of business, psychology and law.
Accreditation and approvals
California Southern University is accreditedEducational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
by the Distance Education and Training Council
Distance Education and Training Council
The Distance Education and Training Council is a non-profit national educational accreditation agency in the United States specializing in the accreditation of distance education institutions.- History :...
(DETC). The DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a United States organization of degree-granting colleges and universities. It identifies its purpose as providing national advocacy for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation in order to certify the quality of higher education...
(CHEA).
California Southern University is licensed to operate in California by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education is a unit of the California Department of Consumer Affairs charged with regulation of private postsecondary educational institutions operating in the state of California...
.
Memberships
California Southern University is a member of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS), and Silver Sponsor in the United States Distance Learning AssociationUnited States Distance Learning Association
The United States Distance Learning Association is a non-profit association that promotes the development and application of distance education. It was formed in 1987 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts....
(USDLA). The School of Business is an Educational Member of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education is an educational accreditation agency for college and university business programs...
(IACBE).
School of Behavioral Sciences
The Board of Psychology of the state of California accepts California Southern University's Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree as meeting the educational requirements for licensure to practice as a clinical psychologist.The Board of Behavioral Sciences in the state of California accepts California Southern University's Master of Arts in Psychology (MA) degree as meeting the educational requirements for licensure to practice as a marriage and family therapist.
School of Law
The California Southern University School of Law is registered with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of CaliforniaState Bar of California
The State Bar of California is California's official bar association. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law, investigating complaints of professional misconduct, and prescribing appropriate discipline...
as an Unaccredited Correspondence Law School, which qualifies its graduates to sit for the California Bar Examination. It is not approved by the American Bar Association.