Bachelor's Degree for Professionals
The Bachelor's Degree for Professionals program is an expression of California Lutheran University’s commitment to life-long learning. The Bachelor's Degree for Professionals program offers the same high quality education that is found in the traditional daytime program, but is tailored to meet the special needs of working adult students. The program’s creative learning environment, liberal arts and professional curriculum, dedicated academic counselors, and exceptional faculty offer a unique opportunity for the post-traditional learner who is seeking personal and professional advancement and development.
Admission
Who May Apply?
The Bachelor's Degree for Professionals program has set the following minimum admission requirements. You may apply if you:
have graduated from high school or possess a G.E.D. certificate
have completed 24 transferable semester hours of college credit
have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.25
Current or previous California Lutheran University traditional undergraduate students desiring to transfer to the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The stated application process must be followed and all minimum guidelines met. Additionally in order to be considered for admission to the Professionals program, traditional undergraduate students must have at least 25% of their major and/or CORE requirements left to complete prior to admission to the program.
How to Apply
Schedule an appointment with an admission counselor for a preliminary transcript evaluation of unofficial transcripts and academic advisement;
Complete an on-line application (www.CalLutheran.edu/professionals/admission/apply.html);
Have official transcripts from all previously attended colleges sent to the Transfer Admissions office.
At the time of your admission interview or shortly thereafter, you will be notified of the admission decision. If admitted, you will be sent information about registration procedures. Upon your acceptance, transfer credits from other colleges will be officially evaluated by the registrar's office and the results sent to you before the end of your first term.
Readmission of Former Bachelor's Degree for Professionals Students
If you were formerly enrolled as a Bachelor's Degree for Professionals student (or an Adult Degree Evening Program student) but have not attended five or more consecutive terms and were not on an approved extended leave of absence, you must apply for readmission by submitting an updated application form and meeting with an admission counselor. The curriculum requirements in effect at the time of your readmission will apply.
Readmission of Service Members
As a Yellow Ribbon university, Cal Lutheran is committed to making a quality education possible for our military members. Cal Lutheran acknowledges that our students who are active duty U.S. Military service members may be required to take a leave of absence for military service. In accordance with federal regulations (CFR) 34, 668.18, California Education Code 66023 and the Federal Register CFR 34, section 668.18, Cal Lutheran will promptly readmit a service member to the academic program that was interrupted due to military service obligation.
Eligibility
The readmission policy applies to servicemembers who perform service in the uniformed services, whether voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including service as a member of the National Guard or Reserve, on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under Federal authority (but not State authority), for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days. The cumulative length of absence due to military service may not exceed five years.
Tuition and Fees
A returning student who is eligible for service member readmission will be charged the same tuition and fees that were in effect during the academic year that the student last attended, unless veteran or military education benefits will pay the higher tuition and fees that other students in the program are paying in the current academic year. In subsequent years or for a different program, tuition and fees will be assessed at the same rate that other students in the program are charged.
Procedures and Requirements
An eligible service member must submit a leave of absence form with documentation verifying active service in advance as possible to the Registrar’s Office. Notification to the Veteran Resource Office is recommended.
Returning students who have been in absence for greater than one year should contact the Graduate Admission Office to complete a readmission application. Students returning from a leave of absence of less than one year are not required to submit a readmission application but will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to reactivate their student status. After reactivation, students should contact their program director or specialist for course registration advisement, and contact the Veteran Resource Office to complete benefits certification.
Readmission will apply to the next available class(es) for the program in which the service member was originally admitted to. Some circumstances may require Cal Lutheran to admit the service member at a later date. Cal Lutheran will make all reasonable efforts to admit and prepare the servicemember to resume the program at the next available term.
The service member will be readmitted with the same academic status as they had when last attending the university to the program under which he/she was originally admitted unless the program is no longer offered. In such cases, Cal Lutheran will make every reasonable effort to admit the student into the most similar program.
Per federal regulations, the readmission of service members policy does not apply to returning students who have been discharged from the Armed Forces, including National Guard or Reserve, due to dishonorable or bad conduct. Service members who have received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge and have not been actively enrolled for more than a year may apply for readmission to the university without the benefits outlined in this policy.
Academic Policies
Please see the Academic Policies - Undergraduate catalog page for general information. In addition, the Addendum to the Academic Policies for the Bachelor's Degree for Professionals was created on November 1, 2023.
Below are policies that are specific to the Bachelor's Degree for Professionals Program.
Alternatives for Acquiring Credit
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) (see Admission - Undergraduate).
Credit by Examination (see Academic Programs - Undergraduate).
Independent Study (see Academic Programs - Undergraduate).
Course Load
Since most Bachelor's Degree for Professionals students are also employed, a normal course load is considered to be two courses per term (six units). Students who wish to exceed six units must petition to do so. Students must seek the approval of your academic counselor and the Dean of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies. Please contact the Financial Aid office regarding questions related to course load and financial aid.
Concurrent Enrollment
If you are admitted as a Bachelor's Degree for Professionals student and wish to enroll in courses at another college or university, you must obtain approval from the Dean of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies prior to enrolling in the course(s). Normally, requests for concurrent enrollment at another institution will not be granted unless you demonstrate a compelling need to take the course at that institution.
Leave of Absence
By notifying their academic counselor, students may request to take a leave of absence for up to one year/five consecutive terms. Under certain circumstances, students may be approved to take an extended leave of absence, totaling two years/ten consecutive terms. Students need to speak with their academic counselor to begin the request process. Students exceeding the approved time for their leave of absence will be inactivated from the program and will have to reapply to be readmitted. The curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission will apply.
Financial Information
Financial Assistance
Tuition and Fees
Refer to www.Callutheran.edu/financial-aid/tuition-fees/ for current tuition and fees.
Tuition is due and payable on or before the first class meeting unless you have made alternative payment arrangements with the Student Accounts Office located in Student Central. Late payment fees are assessed on delinquent accounts. Students with delinquent accounts cannot register for the new term until fees for the prior term have been paid. All financial obligations must be met before diplomas will be released. You may contact the Student Accounts Office or refer to Self Service for information regarding your student account status.
Financial Aid Information
The Office of Financial Aid at California Lutheran University offers a variety of resources to help bridge the gap between the institution’s cost of attendance and a student’s ability to pay. Financial assistance includes grants, scholarships, loans and employment opportunities funded through federal, state, institutional and private sources.
All Cal Lutheran students are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Cal Lutheran does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in administering its financial aid programs. Cal Lutheran does not, and has never, conducted fraudulent or aggressive recruiting techniques or misrepresented the university, our mission or programs. We do not provide commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly upon success in securing enrollments or the award of financial aid to any individual or entity engaged in any recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions about awarding FSA program funds. We meet all requirements consistent with those issued by the Department of Education.
For complete information on all financial aid opportunities available, including financial aid policies, please visit the Cal Lutheran Financial Aid website.
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and must be used in determining a student’s eligibility for all Title IV financial aid program funds, including the Federal Pell Grant Program, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) Program, federal campus-based programs [Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS)], the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct PLUS programs) and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program.
California State Aid programs also use the university COA to determine eligibility for need-based state aid.
The cost of attendance (COA) at Cal Lutheran is determined by the institution. Direct costs of tuition, fees, housing and meals are reviewed and revised annually by the Cal Lutheran Cabinet and approved by the Cal Lutheran Board of Regents. The university strives to minimize increases in tuition, fees, housing, and meals each year while responding to the rising cost of providing instruction, support services, and maintaining campus facilities.
The COA components and amounts are compiled annually by the Director of Financial Aid to ensure that the costs of receiving a higher education are accurately and realistically represented to students. Professional Judgment may be used to increase the COA if special circumstances apply to the student’s cost of living while enrolled.
The COA components and amounts can be found on the Cal Lutheran website at: www.CalLutheran.edu/financial-aid/tuition-fees/.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To be considered for all types of financial assistance (grants, scholarships and loans), students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at www.studentaid.gov. Be sure to include Cal Lutheran's Title IV school code (001133) on the FAFSA.
California AB540 eligible students must complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to be considered for state aid and institutional need-based opportunities. Complete the CADAA at www.dream.csac.ca.gov.
We encourage students to complete the FAFSA/CADAA application at least six weeks prior to the start of the term of enrollment. The FAFSA/CADAA must be completed annually to be considered for financial aid.
After completing the FAFSA/CADAA application, additional documentation may be required to finalize financial aid eligibility. Once admitted to the program, the Office of Financial Aid will notify students by Cal Lutheran student email if additional information is required including instructions on how to submit the documentation. Prompt attention is required to avoid delays.
Once admitted and eligibility for financial aid is determined, the Office of Financial Aid will send an Official Aid Offer notification email to the student’s CalLutheran.edu email address.
The Aid Offer is based on full-time enrollment (minimum 6 units/term). Students enrolled less than full-time will see a reduction in federal and state grants and loans prior to disbursement. Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals students must be enrolled in a minimum of three undergraduate units per term to be considered for federal Direct Loans.
All financial aid (grants, scholarships, and loans) is split equally across all terms of the academic year. The Aid Offer may be viewed through the student's MyCLU Financial Aid Self-Service portal. Students must log into their MyCLU Self-Service portal to accept and/or decline the Aid Offer. First-time students borrowing under the Direct Loan program must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note at www.studentaid.gov.
Student Enrollment Status
Student enrollment status definition for Bachelor's Degree for Professionals:
Full-time = six units or more
Three-quarter time = five units
Half-time = three units
Students must be enrolled full-time each term to receive the maximum financial aid possible. Please see Undergraduate catalog section on Schedule of Reductions (SOR) for details regarding the impact of being enrolled less-than-full-time. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions related to course load and the impact on financial aid.
Types of Financial Aid Available
Pell Grant
Cal Grant
Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized/Unsubsidized)
Veteran and Active Duty Education Benefits
For more detailed information about the types of financial aid available, please refer to the undergraduate catalog or visit our website at https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/professionals/
Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility
Students must complete a FAFSA/CADAA each year to be eligible for federal or state aid. In addition, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements are meant to ensure students can complete their academic program in a timely manner through achieving minimum academic standards. The federal SAP regulations require an institution to establish a reasonable satisfactory academic progress policy for determining whether an otherwise eligible student is making satisfactory academic progress in their educational program [668.34(a)].
All federal, state, and institutional financial aid recipients are expected to make reasonable academic progress towards obtaining a degree as a condition to receive federal, state and institutional financial aid funding. At California Lutheran University (CLU), Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is evaluated annually by the Office of Financial Aid following the conclusion of the spring term (SP, SPA, OM4, SMS) for all students in all categories (full-time or part-time) enrolled in any approved Title-IV eligible programs. A student’s complete academic history is considered, including transfer credit, even if the student has not received federal, state, or institutional financial aid in the past, to ensure timely progression toward degree completion.
Cal Lutheran financial aid SAP policy is separate from the Cal Lutheran Academic Standing policy. It is the student’s responsibility to know and understand the differences in these policies and the impact on continued enrollment at the university and eligibility for financial aid. Lack of awareness is not a reasonable excuse for not meeting the minimum requirements.
Requirements
To receive financial aid, a student must be enrolled in an eligible program of study that leads to a degree/credential. Federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies require all financial aid recipients meet minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to remain eligible for financial aid. Cal Lutheran SAP standards are at least as strict as those applied to students not receiving Title IV aid.
Bachelor’s Degree for Professional students must maintain:
a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and
completion rate of 67% or higher and
complete the degree within 150% maximum timeframe (maximum attempted credits, including transfer credit, 186)
For more detailed information on SAP policy and appeal process, please refer to the undergraduate catalog or visit the website at https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/policies-eligibility/eligibility.html
Withdrawal Policy & Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)
Students should refer to the official academic withdrawal policy described in the current course catalog. If a student ceases attendance (drops or withdraws; including medical withdrawals) from all Title IV eligible courses in a term, the student must be considered a withdrawal for Title IV purposes. Cal Lutheran must return any unearned Title IV aid as soon as possible, but no later than 45 days after the institution determines that the student withdrew.
Federal Title IV funds (Pell Grants and all Federal Direct Loans) are offered to students under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is received. When a student drops or withdraws from courses or the term, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that the student was originally scheduled to receive.
Separate from the R2T4 policy, Cal Lutheran has a Tuition Withdrawal Policy (www.CalLutheran.edu/students/student-accounts/policies.html#tuition-withdrawal). Please contact the Student Accounts Office to determine the amount that the student will be charged for the time they were enrolled. Students will be charged for any amounts that must be returned due to the R2T4 calculation, and these balances must be paid by the student to Cal Lutheran. The percentage used to calculate the return of unearned institutional aid dollars will correspond to the percentage of the Cal Lutheran Tuition Withdrawal Policy. If the Registrar’s Office receives documentation and reduces the percentage charged for tuition, the percentage used to calculate the return of institutional aid dollars will be adjusted to correspond with the reduced percentage charged for tuition.
For more information about the R2T4 policy, please refer to undergraduate catalog or website at https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/policies-eligibility/withdrawal-and-returning-aid.html
For more information on the types of financial aid available and how to maintain eligibility, please refer to the undergraduate Financial Aid section of the catalog:https://catalog.callutheran.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid Additional information is also available on the Financial Aid website.
Degree Requirements
General Degree Requirements
The requirements for the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science are designed to provide you with a broad program of liberal arts study and an opportunity to concentrate in the field of special interest. It is intended that at the undergraduate level the emphasis be placed on acquiring a broad education in many subjects, leaving highly specialized and professional studies to the graduate school level.
Bachelor's Degree for Professionals academic counselors will assist you in preparing an individualized degree plan; nevertheless, you are ultimately responsible for seeing that your academic program includes all requirements for graduation.
Students must complete 124 semester credits. At least 40 of these must be upper division, that is, junior or senior level courses (courses numbered 300-499).
30 of the final 40 credits must be completed in residence. This requirement cannot be met using credit by examination, CLEP or community college.
Students must earn at least a 2.0 grade point average for all Cal Lutheran work and also achieve a 2.0 on all combined Cal Lutheran and other college work.
The number of credits applied toward any baccalaureate degree may be limited by the following:
Credits used to meet the requirement for a bachelor’s degree may not be used for a credential or master’s degree.
No more than four semester credits of physical activity (ACTV) may be counted toward the 124 credits required for graduation. Note: This limitation does not apply towards intercollegiate athletics (ATHL) taken at Cal Lutheran.
Credit in career/work experience (e.g. internships) may be earned at Cal Lutheran, but no more than eight credits are applicable toward the minimum requirements for the degree. Students may receive a maximum of four units in a semester (or summer).
A maximum of 20 semester credits of correspondence and/or extension work may be counted toward the degree. Correspondence and extension work may not be included in the major. To be accepted, the correspondence and extension course work must be applicable to a bachelor’s degree at the granting institution.
A maximum of 32 credits by exam may be applied to the degree; eight upper division units can be included in this total. Credit by exam includes, but is not limited to, institutional exams, CLEP and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
A total of 40 combined credits obtained from credits by exam and online/correspondence may be applied toward the degree.
At least 75 percent of the required courses for a major or minor must be unduplicated with any other major or minor.
Bachelor's Degree for Professionals students may earn no more than four units of Independent Study in any given term and may count no more than eight units of Independent Study credit toward the total number of units required for the bachelor’s degree
A single course may satisfy a maximum of four (4) graduation or program requirements.
Petitions for exceptions to policy must be made within one year of the missed deadline for the occurrence requiring an exception. This limit includes petitions for such requests as late adds and late drops of courses.
Major Requirements
All students must complete an academic major as part of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Requirements for an academic major are as follows:
Completion of at least 32 credits in an area of concentration for the Bachelor of Arts or at least 36 credits for the Bachelor of Science.
33% of a major's upper-division required courses and required electives must be taken in residence at Cal Lutheran. Internships and independent studies are excluded from this calculation unless they are required for the major.
A minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required in the major. Required support courses are not included in the major GPA.
At least 75 percent of the required courses for a major must be unduplicated with any other major or minor.
Minor Requirements
Minors consist of a coherent set of related courses in a particular disciplinary or interdisciplinary area. An academic minor is not required for a degree; however, if a student elects to earn a minor, he or she:
must complete the specified 15-20 credits within the minor desired;
may not major and minor in the same department;
must complete at least eight to 12 credits in upper division courses and at least two of those courses must be completed in residence at Cal Lutheran;
must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0;
may not count internships toward the minor unless specifically required by the minor;
may use only one independent study course to meet minor requirements;
at least 75 percent of the required courses for a minor must be unduplicated with any other major or minor.
General Education (IDEAS) Requirements
Requirements are subject to change. Consult the schedule of classes for each semester to determine which courses satisfy general education requirements. Related academic and transfer policies follow the IDEAS course requirements.
Students meet the IDEAS objectives through the following course requirements. Each course taken below fulfills at least one content area in IDEAS.
Foundational Requirements
First Year Seminar
English composition – ENGL 110 and ENGL 111
Mathematics – one course above MATH 110
Religion and Theology – RLTH 100 or RLTH 300
Discipline Requirements
Languages and Cultures – Proficiency at the second semester level. The requirement is waived for international students who verify academic study of their native language through the high school level. One course from the approved list or show proficiency with a satisfactory score by taking the designated language exam in a proctored setting.
Creative Arts – 3 credits minimum from the approved list of courses.
Humanities – Three courses from the approved list of courses in different departments or disciplines, excluding RLTH 100/300, ENGL 110 and ENGL 111.
Social and Behavioral Sciences – One course from the approved list of courses.
Natural Sciences – One course from the approved list of courses.
Physical Activity – One course from ACTV or ATHL subjects.
Content Requirements
These courses are not additional unit or course requirements. They are content requirements that may be met through selection of courses that also meet major, elective or other IDEAS requirements.
US Diversity – One course from the approved list of courses.
Global Perspectives – One course from the approved list.
Experiential Learning/Internship – integrated into the major.
IDEAS Academic and Transfer Policies
Transfer courses meeting IDEAS must be at least two credits.
All courses may only satisfy one requirement within IDEAS except Content Requirement courses. Courses meeting US Diversity and Global Perspectives content requirements should also apply to another IDEAS requirement.
There is no limitation on the duplication of IDEAS courses with major or minor courses.
Transfer students and students with an applicable, documented disability may substitute an additional content requirement course in place of the Foreign Language requirement.
Students with an applicable, documented disability may substitute a different course that meets the Adapt student learning objective in place of Mathematics.
First Year Seminar is waived for anyone with at least one full-time semester of transferable courses. Dual credit, AP and IB is not included.
Students over 25 years of age are exempt from the Physical Activity requirement. Students with an applicable, documented disability should take ACTV-111 for the Activity requirement or the requirement may be waived after thorough review.
Students with an approved state transfer completed (e.g. IGETC, CSU Breadth Certification, Associate Degree for Transfer) or 60 credits in transfer (excluding military credit) will have satisfied the main IDEAS requirements, as appropriate. Students will still be held to the portions of IDEAS that integrated into the major.
Academic Services will determine applicability of transfer courses utilizing articulation of courses and the general education Student Learning Objectives.
Course Additions
Students may not add courses after the add/drop deadline. After the first class session, all late adds require instructor permission. Students will not be added to closed or waitlisted courses. Contact your academic counselor to discuss.
Graduation
Students must fill out an Application for Degree and submit an accompanying graduate fee (regardless of commencement ceremony participation). Students must also meet with their academic counselor for a required graduation appointment, submit a Graduation Agreement, and adhere to all other university graduation policies.