Distance Education at CSULB
The Department of Professional Studies at CSULB is the largest distance education program in the California State University system. We began offering programs off campus in the 1970s, and have continued to grow as technology has advanced and as the need for off campus instruction has increased. The Designated Subjects Credential program and the Master of Arts degree have been offered off-campus since 1976. We started offering the entire baccalaureate degree in distant locations in 1994, and currently offer the BS degree at 35 sites. The Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration has been offered at distant sites since 1998, and is now located in several Northern and Southern California cities in addition to the on-campus programs.
Instruction for the Designated Subjects Teaching Credential program is available entirely online. The BS degree program is offered using a careful blend of live and mediated instruction. The MS program is offered in a live, intensive weekend format. Information on the several programs may be found on this page or its links. For a more personal overview, call us at (888) 999-9935 during normal business hours Pacific time. Read our Catalog of Online PROF Distance Learning Courses for more information and registration instructions.
This degree is focused on leadership and development of presentation skills and is offered at sites near where you live or work.
Participants are not required to possess an Associate degree to be admitted. CSULB representatives will explain how participants with minimal lower division credits can benefit from this program. The CSULB portion of the program consists of ten (10) upper division courses, each costing $660 per course, payable at the beginning of each course. Courses will last approximately three (3) months. Most students will also need to complete one or more courses of lower-division general education, usually at a community college near your home or workplace.
If you are interested, you can request an information packet or call the Distance Learning office and speak with an advisor. The CSULB staff is deteremined to help students succeed, rather than fail in the quest for a degree. Staff will determine or develop resources to assist with the completion of your Associate Degrees and lower-division general education.
This program is delivered by several means, including face-to-face at an off-campus location, on the Internet, or by seminar.
A minimum of five to seven (5-7) years work experience in your field and some teaching or training experiences on the job. Lower division general education deficiencies may be completed simultaneously or after taking CSULB’s classes.
$720 for each 3-unit semester course, plus materials.
10 courses are required for residency in the BS degree.
Total costs under $10,000 – Pay as you go!
Classes are offered in numerous locations in the community, including community classrooms, secondary schools, community colleges, and public safety training facilities. Click on any of the sites in the menu on the left for course schedules and locations. Additional sites may be offered. Contact the Distance Learning staff to learn if a new site can or will be added near your location.
Students can attend and enroll in the first class and get more information before committing to this program. Students may enroll in up to eight of the ten required residency classes while in the process of qualifying and gaining admission to the University.
The following are requirements to be formally admitted to the University for the BS program:
Those who do not meet the admission requirements will be able to enroll in the courses and work on the deficiencies concurrently with the program. Students will be assisted in meeting these requirements. Up to 8 of the 10 required CSULB courses may be taken before being formally admitted to the University. Students will complete a portfolio verifying work, supervisor, teaching/training and professional development. The State Board of Examiners for Vocational Teachers will review and evaluate a portfolio of your work, training, supervisorial, and professional development expereince and recommend up to 40 units of upper-division credit, which will be applied to the major.
This program is focused on the development of leadership and presentation skills.
Ten courses are required to complete the CSULB residency requirement, major, and upper-division, general education (GE) degree requirements for the BS degree. These courses are:
One of the following two courses:
One of the following three courses:
Students may enroll in either PROF-420, PROF-421, or PROF-422. The classes need not be taken in any particular order or at a single location, so long as continuous enrollment (at least one course per academic year) is maintained once the student has been admitted to the University.
A minimum of 20 students is needed to offer classes on-site. Arrangements should be made with the Distance Learning Administrator to conduct a "New Site Orientation" at the facility.
Click here for a step by step process on how to enroll and complete the Bachelor of Science program.
