Course by Course Learning
Course-by-course learning allows you to take individual, standalone courses without committing to a full degree program. Whether you need to fill a specific credit requirement or want to gain specialized knowledge, our flexible online courses are designed to meet your immediate educational needs.
Course by course learning is ideal for:
- Fulfilling specific degree program requirements: Easily complete individual credits if a course you need is unavailable or not offered at your current university.
- Meeting state licensure requirements: Resolve coursework deficiencies identified by your state board. Many of our students use these standalone courses to satisfy PsyD licensure or certification renewal requirements. (Note: Always verify course applicability and requirements with your specific state board).
- Advancing professional development: Upskill, explore a new counseling specialty, or meet continuing education goals with targeted, single psychology courses. View Catalog
Benefits of Course by Course Learning at California Southern University
- An opportunity to develop your interest and experience in a specific subject area
- Build specialized knowledge or skills to assist with your current employment or transition to a new industry
- Experience online learning to assess whether the format fits your lifestyle before enrolling in a full degree program
- Earn credits that can transfer to a CalSouthern degree program or potentially another institution*
- Enjoy an open enrollment process with courses beginning on the first of every month
Course by Course vs. Traditional Degree Enrollment
| Factor | Course by Course | Degree Program |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | Single course at a time | Full program enrollment |
| Cost Structure | Pay per course | Program-based tuition |
| Ideal For | Exploration and skill-building | Earning a credential |
Popular Individual Courses
Our specialized psychology and counseling courses are sought after by independent learners. Some popular courses include:
MFT-6700: Psychopharmacology
This course covers commonly prescribed psychotropic medications in the field of professional counseling and family therapy.
- Key Focus Areas: Treatment of adults and children with mental disorders, pharmacological classifications, indications, contraindications, and side effects.
- Approach: Emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach including referral, coordination of care, and collaboration with medical professionals. It also thoroughly considers cultural diversity issues and the legal/ethical aspects of pharmacotherapy.
PSY-6519: Crisis and Trauma Counseling
This course focuses on the assessment, intervention, and treatment of individuals, families, and communities that have experienced crisis, disaster, and/or trauma.
- Key Focus Areas: Suicide, sexual assault, violent behavior, domestic and intimate partner violence, substance abuse, grief and loss, and mass tragedies.
- Approach: Demonstrates major theoretical models of situational crises across various service delivery systems, with a strong ultimate emphasis on recovery and resilience.
PSY-6747: Career Counseling
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of career development and career counseling.
- Key Focus Areas: Theories of career development, sources of occupational information, and practical methods of career counseling. Consideration is given to ethical and legal issues, culture, diversity, special populations, and contemporary trends.
- Practical Application: Students will work to develop an individual curriculum vitae (CV), a cover letter, and a career counseling position statement in preparation for practicum placement interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Many professionals enroll in our course-by-course learning specifically to address coursework deficiencies identified by their state licensing boards for a PsyD licensure or other professional credentials.
If you need a specific course that is not currently offered in your primary degree program, you can often take it at CalSouthern. However, we highly recommend confirming the transferability of the course with your primary institution prior to enrolling.*
* Course credits are not guaranteed to transfer to other schools. Transferability of credits is at the sole discretion of the receiving institution.
Absolutely. Taking a standalone course - such as Crisis and Trauma Counseling or Psychopharmacology - is an excellent way to gain specialized knowledge and advance your professional skills without committing to a full degree program.
Getting Started
When enrolling in a single course, we recommend consulting with an Admissions Representative to discuss your educational goals.
Our courses begin on the first of every month, so you can get started right away!
I had a wonderful experience and loved the flexibility of the program. I could go at my own pace, was able to work ahead when I needed to, and to take extra time when I needed to. The faculty were fantastic and very helpful and inspiring. I feel like I got an excellent education for an affordable price and I appreciate everything that it brought to my life.
Ready to pursue your educational goals? We can help!
Accreditation
California Southern University is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Please visit the Accreditation & Licensure page to learn more.
