California University of Pennsylvania

Challenging, Accredited Academics at CalU

California University of Pennsylvania appears in our ranking of the 25 Best Bachelor’s in Engineering Online Degrees. California University of Pennsylvania has four colleges.  It offers 11 associate and 105 bachelor’s options. For example, the B.A. in Musical Theater pairs with Estill Voice International. It’s a 120-credit, NAST-accredited program. Forensic Anthropology is a 120-credit B.A. program. It’s directed by Dr. Cassandra Kuba, a Criminal Minds consultant The 120-credit B.A. in Arabic Language & Cultures has native speakers teaching 22 countries’ native tongue online. Other unique undergrad tracks include:

• Mortuary Science B.S.
• Meteorology B.S.
• Fisheries and Wildlife Biology B.S.
• Tourism Studies B.A.
• Robotics Engineering A.A.S.
• Gerontology B.S.

The California University of Pennsylvania School provides the PASSHE system with:

• 73 master’s  programs
• three doctoral programs
• 42 certificate options

  The M.Ed. in Weather and Climatology has the nation’s only 30-credit, online program paired with the American Meteorological Society for K-12 science teachers. The 30-credit M.A. in Conflict Resolution builds peacekeeping skills with “stackable” online courses like Nonviolence and Negotiation. The D.H.S.C. in Health Science and Exercise Leadership is an online NASM partner. It trains wellness advocates in the 48-credit, post-master’s curriculum with an optional dissertation. Additional CalU post-grad tracks include:

• Criminal Justice D.C.J.
• Communication Disorders M.S.
• Legal Studies M.S.
• Nursing Administration M.B.A.
• School Psychology M.S.
• Social Work M.S.W.

About California University of Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania was established in 1852 as California Academy.  California State Normal School was chartered in 1914. It introduced liberal arts education 45 years later. By 1983, the fast-growing public, coed university entered the PASSHE system. Still expanding, California University of Pennsylvania added:

• Duda Hall in 2007
• the SAI Farm in 2010
• the Rutledge Education Institute in 2017

Budgeting $68.47 million yearly, CalU teaches 7,788 students from 30 nations, It has 410 faculty and  38-buildings.  Alumni include:

• Mary Beth Buchanan
• Perry Kemp
• Frank Mascara
• Megan Timpf, and more.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked California University in the North’s top 187 colleges with:

• 174th best social work
• 70th best online business
• 118th best online nursing program

On Niche, CalU was ranked America’s:

• 157th best dorms
• 193rd best athletics
• 629th top campus

The Princeton Review featured CalU among its 229 “Best Northeastern” picks. In Washington Monthly, California University of Pennsylvania has the country’s:

• 180th best value
• 261st highest graduation rate

College Factual rated CalU:

• 194th for teacher education
• 153rd for engineering tech
• 258th for liberal arts

PayScale calculated a median mid-career salary of $58,400 for CalU alumni. SafeWise rated California as the 29th safest college town in Forbes’ 64th best metro too.

California University of Pennsylvania Accreditation Details

California University of Pennsylvania recently underwent itsself-study institutional review with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education This seven-state Mid-Atlantic accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. CalU academic departments also hold 17 career-specific accreditations, such as:

• Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
•  National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
• Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

California University of Pennsylvania Application Requirements

First-year students must finish a high school curriculum with four years of language arts literacy and three years of math. Scoring at least 580 out of 800 on the GED is also acceptable. In grades 9-12, freshmen maintain an average 3.1 GPA. Students out of high school for 2+ years are exempt from tests. Transfers generally need a minimum 2.0 GPA in 15+ accredited, non-remedial credits. The Online RN-BSN admits nurse cohorts with associate degrees. Graduate studies are reserved for bachelor’s grads finishing upper-division GPAs above 3.0, but program specifics vary. The Cybersecurity P.S.M. seeks majors in:

• computer science
• information systems
• related fields

The Exercise Science M.S. has prerequisites in biology and kinesiology. California University of Pennsylvania has a two-week admission review process that rolls year-round for undergrads. The Graduate School has variable deadline  Log into the CalU portal to submit the online application. If needed, send extras to 250 University Avenue in California, PA 15419. Please contact (724) 938-4404 or admissions@calu.edu for assistance. The differing application checklists could include the following:

• $25 application fee ($50 for doctorates)
• Sealed, certified transcripts from each school
• Official SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL scores
• Two current recommendation letters on ability
• Copies of any teacher or RN certifications
• Detailed résumé of in-field achievements
• 500- to 1,000-word supporting essay

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2017-18, California University of Pennsylvania charged state undergrads $312 per credit or $3,746 every semester full-time. Non-resident bachelor’s students paid $468 per credit or $5,619 per term. International students pay the flat-rate tuition of $7,305 each semester. Added expenses are:

• $232 technology fee
• $85 service fee
• $300 student association fee

Living at the campus dorms costs $10,186 yearly. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals roughly $26,356 in-state and $30,842 out. The Graduate School billed Pennsylvanians $500 and non-residents $750 per credit. Global Online programs typically cost:

• $606 in-state per credit
• $628 out-of-state per credit
• $505 for military per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, 63 percent of full-time CalU students share $22.89 million in combined financial aid for annual packages averaging $6,615 each. University funds include:

• Dr. Burrell Brown Scholarship
• Board of Governor’s Scholarship
• Eberly Family Scholarship
• Transfer Merit Award
• Auberle Good Kids Scholarship
• Lillian Bassi Education Scholarship
• Dr. Gabriel Betz Geography Scholarship
• Frank Harhay Football Scholarship

The PASSHE Foundation offers 26 systemwide awards like the Arthur Williams Phillips Scholarship and Fitz Dixon Memorial Scholarship. Pennsylvanians might benefit from:

• the PHEAA Grant
• PATH Program
• Blind or Deaf Beneficiary Grant, and more

File FAFSA applications by March 1st with code 003316 for Federal Pell or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. On Question 31, voice interest in Work-Study positions paying around $10.15/hour. Learn more about available degrees at the California University of Pennsylvania website.

Related Resources:

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Top 30 Best Criminal Justice Degree Online Programs (Bachelor’s)