A Regionally Accredited Online Institution
Regional accreditation is the most respected and recognized form of accreditation in the United States, and it provides learners with a number of important benefits and opportunities. It is an affirmation of the rigor and quality of the university’s academic programs, and an assurance that the institution operates with integrity. Regional accreditation also greatly enhances the transferability of credits and the recognition of the degree in both the academic community and workplace.
On July 12, 2021, California Southern University received the Action Letter from WSCUC reaffirming the University and our continued status as a regionally accredited institution for another 6 years. The full WSCUC Action Letter and related documents can be viewed on the California Southern University page of the WSCUC website found here.
CalSouthern is accredited by the following institutions:
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
CalSouthern is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, one of the premier accrediting agencies for educational institutions in the western United States. On July 12, 2021, California Southern University received the Action Letter from WSCUC reaffirming the University and our continued status as a regionally accredited institution for another 6 years. The full WSCUC Action Letter and related documents can be viewed on the California Southern University page of the WSCUC website found here.
WASC Senior College and University Commission
985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501
510.748.9001 | www.wscuc.org
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
CalSouthern’s Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Business Administration degree programs are accredited through Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). https://www.acbsp.org/
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs at CalSouthern are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington D.C. 20001
202.887.6791 | www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a private, non-profit, national organization that coordinates accreditation activity in the U.S. Recognition by CHEA affirms that the standards and processes of accrediting organizations are consistent with quality, improvement and accountability expectations that CHEA has established. www.chea.org
Licensure & Approvals
CalSouthern has been continually licensed to operate and approved to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees since 1978. In addition, our degree programs satisfy state educational requirements for licensure in several fields across many states in the U.S.
We are recognized for licensure and approvals by these organizations:
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
California Southern University is a private university approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The university was founded in 1978, licensed under the name Southern California University for Professional Studies (SCUPS), and has been continuously approved by the State of California to offer undergraduate and graduate level degrees and certificates. Any questions that a student may have regarding this catalog, which have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to:
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
2535 Capital Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833
Phone: 888.370.7589 | Fax: 916.263.1897 | www.bppe.ca.gov
Prospective learners are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. Prospective learners are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided prior to signing an enrollment agreement.
California Board of Psychology
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 as a psychologist in California. Persons interested in licensure are advised to contact the Board of Psychology in Sacramento, California to determine what other requirements may exist for licensure.
California Board of Psychology
1625 N Market Blvd # N-215, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (916) 574-7720 | www.psychology.ca.gov
If you are residing in another state, please contact your state licensing agency to determine if the CalSouthern program meets their licensing requirements. If additional or different courses are required, please advise your Academic Advisor for guidance.
California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts California Southern University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology, with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program as meeting the educational requirements for California licensure as both a marriage and family therapist (MFT) and licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). Persons interested in licensure are advised to contact the Board of Behavioral Sciences in Sacramento, California to obtain a complete listing of all requirements for licensure.
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 N Market Blvd S-200, Sacramento, CA 95834
916.574.7830 | www.bbs.ca.gov
Licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction and license type, and are subject to change. Individuals interested in completing a practicum or pursuing licensure in any other state or jurisdiction are encouraged to contact the appropriate State Board or licensing authority to determine requirements.
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
The California Consortium of Addiction Program and Professionals (CCAPP) and the Education Board (CCAPP Institute) have granted School Approval to California Southern University’s Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Addiction Studies (CPAS), MS in Psychology with a Concentration in Advanced Addiction Studies (AAS), and Certificate in Advanced Addiction Studies (CPAAS).
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Specific Education requirements provided by CalSouthern’s Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Addiction Studies will fulfill the educational requirement for the Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor I (CADC I) or Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor II (CADC II). The MS in Psychology with a Concentration in Advanced Addiction Studies (AAS) will fulfill the SUD specific educational requirement for the Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (LAADC). The Certificate in Advanced Addiction Studies (CPAAS) provides 270 hours of SUD specific education.
Persons interested in certification are encouraged to contact the CCAPP Credentialing Board for more information and to obtain a complete listing of all requirements for certification. www.ccapp.us
The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
California Southern University is recognized as an Approved Academic Education Provider for The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). The Pre-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Addiction Studies, Certificate Program in Advanced Addiction Studies, and the MS in Psychology with a Concentration in Advanced Addiction Studies meet nationally approved standards of education developed for the addiction/substance use disorders counseling profession. Program participants are assured that the continuing education (CE) credits provided will be accepted toward national credentialing by the NAADAC Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as by many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions. Certification requirements vary by jurisdiction and type, and are subject to change. Individuals interested in completing requirements are encouraged to contact the appropriate regulatory authority to determine requirements.
Committee of Bar Examiners – State Bar of California
California Southern University’s School of Law is registered as an unaccredited correspondence law school with the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. This allows graduates of the Juris Doctor program, who have complied with Title 4, Division 1 of the Rules of the State Bar of California, to sit for the California Bar Exam and upon passing the Bar Exam, to practice law in California.
The School of Law’s degree‑granting authority in connection with Learners qualifying to take the California Bar Examination and obtain admission to the practice of law in California is based on its registration as an unaccredited law school with the Committee of Bar Examiners.
United States Department of Education
CalSouthern is approved by the United States Department of Education for the deferment of all federal student loans. www.ed.gov
United States Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
CalSouthern is eligible to receive education benefits awarded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) such as the GI Bill®. This applies to the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as the undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. Veterans and eligible spouses or dependents who believe they may qualify for benefits should contact their VA office for details. The CalSouthern Facility Code is 21900605. More information can be found here.
Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
California Southern University is authorized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and meets the requirements and minimum educational standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree‑Granting Institutions Act. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes California Southern University to offer field placement components for specific degree programs. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the Institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the Institution may contact the Council at P.O. Box 43430 Olympia, WA 98504‑3430 or by email at degreeauthorization@wsac.wa.gov.
Please be aware that states’ policies in this regard are subject to change and/or dependent upon the circumstances of each case. It is each student’s responsibility to confirm with the appropriate regulatory body that CalSouthern’s degree will be accepted in a specific state.