The following majors have been selected because of the possibility of securing a living-wage, professional entry-level job in our local economy.  Three majors (Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work) often require continued education at the Master's level, and Liberal Studies requires an additional year for a Teaching Credential, but overall, the majors chosen allow a student to enter the workforce directly. 

How did we choose these universities? We selected universities that are:

  1. Regionally accredited
  2. Non-profit
  3. Affordable (total tuition is approximately $20,000 or less)
  4. Accessible (the university accepts more than 60 semester transfer units and/or has flexible transfer start dates)
  5. Is “adult learner” friendly 

You are not limited to these universities, but we encourage you to begin your research with these options.

All programs are fully online, unless otherwise stated.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Accounting degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Business degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Computer Information Technology/Computer Science degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Criminal Justice degree options.

  • ​CSU Sacramento Criminal Justice
    • A student can be concurrently enrolled in community college while in this program. For the application process, there are a few steps before students formally apply to the university for our online programs:
      • Step 1 – Interested students should first email Veunta Daily at veuntadailey@csus.edu and indicate that they are interested in one of our programs.
      • Step 2 – She will send them the Q&A Packet which will provide them with the information about the program cost, structure, and eligibility requirements. All programs require students to submit their unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. A student may be asked to submit one or more of the following: Statement of Purpose, Resume, and Supplemental Application.
      • Step 3 – Once the student has submitted all requested documents, the Academic Advisor will complete the unofficial evaluation of the documents/transcripts, which will determine if the student is eligible to start the program in the Fall or if they have one or more requirements to complete between now and Summer to start the following Fall.
      • Step 4 – The Fall CSU Apply Application will reopen at the beginning of June for our online programs. At that time, Veunta or the Program Coordinator, will send all eligible students the directions to formally apply for the university through CSU Apply. If a student previously completed CSU Apply, specifically for Sac State, prior to knowing about our online program, they would not need to redo CSU Apply and we would request for their major to be changed from the in-person program to the online program.
        Students can be admitted to this program in the Spring as well check the CSU Sacramento link above for deadline dates for the Spring admission. 
  • ​​CSU San Bernardino Criminal Justice
  • Columbia College Criminal Justice Administration
  • National University Criminal Justice Administration
    • Transfer students who have recently earned their California Community College Transferable Associate of Arts (AA), Transferable Associate of Science (AS), or Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) (Associate degrees that use the CSU Breadth or IGETC patterns as general education for degree completion) are eligible for National University's CCC-ADT Transfer Scholarship. Through this scholarship, students can complete a bachelor's degree in 90 quarter units or less and pay just $7,000 per year for tuition. Transfer students who have recently earned a transferable associate degree from a California community college are also eligible for this transfer pricing. Contact an admissions advisor to learn more about the scholarship. https://www.nu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer-information/adt-pathways/
  • SOU Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Southern New Hampshire University

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Dental Hygiene degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Early Childhood Education degree options.

  • Southern Oregon University Early Childhood Development
    • Please Note: SOU does not charge out of state tuition for their on-line programs.
  • National University Early Childhood Education
    • Transfer students who have recently earned their California Community College Transferable Associate of Arts (AA), Transferable Associate of Science (AS), or Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) (Associate degrees that use the CSU Breadth or IGETC patterns as general education for degree completion) are eligible for National University's CCC-ADT Transfer Scholarship. Through this scholarship, students can complete a bachelor's degree in 90 quarter units or less and pay just $7,000 per year for tuition. Transfer students who have recently earned a transferable associate degree from a California community college are also eligible for this transfer pricing. Contact an admissions advisor to learn more about the scholarship. https://www.nu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer-information/adt-pathways/
  • San Jose State University Interdisciplinary Studies - Educational and Community Leadership, Concentration in Early Childhood Education
  • CSU Sacramento Child and Adolescent Development
    • A student can be concurrently enrolled in community college while in this program. For the application process, there are a few steps before students formally apply to the university for our online programs:
      • Step 1 – Interested students should first email Veunta Daily at veuntadailey@csus.edu and indicate that they are interested in this program.
      • Step 2 – She will send them the Q&A Packet which will provide them with the information about the program cost, structure, and eligibility requirements. All programs require students to submit their unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. A student may be asked to submit one or more of the following: Statement of Purpose, Resume, and Supplemental Application.
      • Step 3 – Once the student has submitted all requested documents, the Academic Advisor will complete the unofficial evaluation of the documents/transcripts, which will determine if the student is eligible to start the program in the Fall or if they have one or more requirements to complete between now and Summer to start the following Fall.
      • Step 4 – The Fall CSU Apply Application will reopen at the beginning of June for our online programs. At that time, Veunta or the Program Coordinator, will send all eligible students the directions to formally apply for the university through CSU Apply. If a student previously completed CSU Apply, specifically for Sac State, prior to knowing about our online program, they would not need to redo CSU Apply and we would request for their major to be changed from the in-person program to the online program.

SCHOLARSHIPS for your degree! If you are currently working in a program that participates in Quality Counts North State, and are looking to continue your education, we have a scholarship that will help to cover tuition and textbooks.  If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Leslie Segura at lsegura@shastacoe.org.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for General Studies degree options.

What IS a major in “General Studies” or “Organizational Leadership?” These majors allow students with an associate degree to gain knowledge, skills, and abilities that will help them move into supervisory or management level positions. Some of the programs below are designed specifically for associate degrees in career technical fields, others are designed for ANY associate degree.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Liberal Studies degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Nursing degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Psychology degree options.​​

  • Columbia College Psychology
  • Eastern Oregon University Psychology
  • National University Psychology
    • Transfer students who have recently earned their California Community College Transferable Associate of Arts (AA), Transferable Associate of Science (AS), or Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) (Associate degrees that use the CSU Breadth or IGETC patterns as general education for degree completion) are eligible for National University's CCC-ADT Transfer Scholarship. Through this scholarship, students can complete a bachelor's degree in 90 quarter units or less and pay just $7,000 per year for tuition. Transfer students who have recently earned a transferable associate degree from a California community college are also eligible for this transfer pricing. Contact an admissions advisor to learn more about the scholarship. https://www.nu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer-information/adt-pathways/
  • Simpson Degree Completion Psychology – in person or online
  • CSU Sacramento Psychology
    • A student can be concurrently enrolled in community college while in this program. For the application process, there are a few steps before students formally apply to the university for our online programs:
      • Step 1 – Interested students should first email Veunta Daily at veuntadailey@csus.edu and indicate that they are interested in this program.
      • Step 2 – She will send them the Q&A Packet which will provide them with the information about the program cost, structure, and eligibility requirements. All programs require students to submit their unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. A student may be asked to submit one or more of the following: Statement of Purpose, Resume, and Supplemental Application.
      • Step 3 – Once the student has submitted all requested documents, the Academic Advisor will complete the unofficial evaluation of the documents/transcripts, which will determine if the student is eligible to start the program in the Fall or if they have one or more requirements to complete between now and Summer to start the following Fall.
      • Step 4 – The Fall CSU Apply Application will reopen at the beginning of June for our online programs. At that time, Veunta or the Program Coordinator, will send all eligible students the directions to formally apply for the university through CSU Apply. If a student previously completed CSU Apply, specifically for Sac State, prior to knowing about our online program, they would not need to redo CSU Apply and we would request for their major to be changed from the in-person program to the online program.
  • Southern New Hampshire University

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Public Health degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Social Work degree options.

Quick comparison chart of major and university highlights for Sociology degree options.

Why isn't my major listed?​​

We focused on the listed majors as they align with labor market data for local employment needs. If you are getting ready to transfer and want help identifying a quality online or local Bachelor degree-completion program, we are happy to talk to you. Please contact us and we can send you some general information about selecting a reputable online university.

How to Participate in BOLD

Please visit the following for more information: How to Participate in BOLD.