Academic Catalogs

Graduation Requirements

Catalog Rights and Continuous Enrollment

For graduation, students may follow the catalog degree requirements that were in effect for the academic year when their attendance began at Coastline College or follow the catalog requirements in effect during subsequent years of attendance provided that continuous enrollment has been maintained.

Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in at least one course at Coastline College for at least one semester (fall and/or spring) in each academic year. The student must receive a grade of A, B, C, D, F, P, NP, W, I or IP for the course.

An official education plan for students enrolled in the Extended Learning Division Agreement will remain valid as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. For a student whose break in attendance is necessitated by reason of service in the uniformed services, the validity of the student’s official education plan will remain in effect if the cumulative length of the service-related absence and of all previous service-related absences from that institution does not exceed five years. Catalog rights do not apply to the certification of general education for transfer. Courses used for certification must have been on the approved list at the time they were taken.

Classification of Students

Students are classified as follows:

  • Freshman: A student who has completed fewer than 30 units.
  • Sophomore: A student who has completed 30 or more units.
  • Part-time Student: A student enrolled in fewer than 12 units.
  • Full-time Student: A student enrolled in 12 or more units.

Student Status

  • New Student: No previous enrollment record at Coastline College.
  • Continuing Student: Enrolled continuously at Coastline College from one primary term to the next primary term.
  • Returning Student: Previously enrolled at Coastline College, however missed at least two primary terms of attendance.

General Education Philosophy

General Education Degree-Level Student Learning Outcomes

The term “general education” refers to a broad-based and comprehensive program that introduces students to the major areas of higher education: the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences. The general education program is the basis for all degree programs at Coastline College and is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills that will contribute to their intellectual, personal, and professional growth.

Upon completion of a degree-level program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding and appreciation for the visual and performing arts
  2. Demonstrate ethical civic, environmental, and social responsibility
  3. Demonstrate ability to apply critical thinking and analysis
  4. Demonstrate innovative thinking, adaptability, and creative problem-solving skills
  5. Demonstrate understanding and respect for cultural and global diversity
  6. Demonstrate information competency
  7. Use effective communication and interpersonal skills
  8. Use scientific and quantitative reasoning

Multiple Majors

A student completing the requirements for more than one major may earn more than one Associate degree. When completing concurrent majors, the student simultaneously completes all academic requirements for his/her majors and graduates with two (or more) degrees in the same semester. Students must list all desired degrees on the Graduation Petition form.

Additional Associate Degrees

Students who already possess an Associate degree may be awarded an additional degree upon completion of the following:

  1. All requirements of a major or area of emphasis in a different field of study. Coursework from the previous major may be applied toward the new major.
  2. Twelve additional units in residence at Coastline College after conferral of the previous degree.
  3. General Education units earned from a previous Associate degree may be applied toward subsequent Associate degrees. If there has been a break in enrollment from when the last Associate degree was awarded, the student must complete the General Education requirements in effect at the time the student re-enrolls.

Duplicate Degrees

Students are not permitted to acquire duplicate associate degrees or ADT degrees in the same major, within the Coast Community College District.

Petition for Graduation

An Associate Degree, Associate Degree for Transfer, Certificate of Achievement, Certificate of Accomplishment, and/or Certificate of Specialization are not automatically awarded. To receive their degree, a student must file a petition for graduation during their final semester prior to the application deadline as noted on the Coastline Graduation Webpage

Petitions are available in the Admissions Office and online in the Students - General folder. Military and corporate program students may obtain a graduation petition online at the Coastline Military Programs and Services website.

All official transcripts from other educational institutions must be on file at the time students submit the graduation petition. If final courses are being completed at another school, this must be indicated on your Petition to Graduate form and official transcripts must be sent to Coastline once final grades are received. It is the responsibility of the student to have transcripts sent to Coastline College.

Students may petition for graduation during the Spring, Summer, or Fall terms. Degrees are granted based on when the student applies and not by when they completed the requirements. Visit the Coastline Graduation webpage to review petition filing period dates.

Note: If a break in enrollment occurs (resulting in the loss of Catalog Rights) students must comply with the competency, general education and major course requirements in effect at the time the student resumes attendance in order to meet Graduation requirements.

Certificate Requirements

Certificate Graduation Requirements

A Certificate is awarded upon completion of the required coursework with a grade of C or higher in each course. A grade of P (Pass) is acceptable, however, the student must meet an overall GPA requirement of 2.0 to receive the certificate. To receive the certificate, a student must file a petition for graduation during their final semester prior to the application deadline as noted on the Coastline Graduation webpage

Certificate of Achievement

Certificate programs are designed to prepare individuals to enter a particular field of employment or to provide in-service training to those already employed.  Certificates of Achievements are majors that include 16 units or more and will be posted on the transcript. They may be used as elective units towards the A.A. or A.S. Degree.

  • Student must be in attendance at the time requirements are completed.
  • Students must also earn a minimum of 12 units of coursework at Coastline, excluding experiential credit.
  • A student with prior experience may be excused from certain certificate courses.
  • 50 percent of the certificate program’s units must be completed at Coastline no matter how the total number of units required for the certificate can be met.

Certificate of Accomplishment

  • Students must also earn a minimum of 12 units of coursework at Coastline, excluding experiential credit.
  • A student with prior experience may be excused from certain certificate courses but will still need to meet the overall unit requirement specified for the certificate.
  • 50 percent of the certificate program’s units must be completed at Coastline regardless of how many total number of units required for the certificate can be met by prior coursework.

Certificate of Specialization

  • 50 percent of the certificate program’s units must be completed at Coastline.

Associate Degree Requirements

Coastline College awards the degrees of Associate in Arts and Associate in Science. The requirements for these majors are listed below. (Students interested in an Associate Degree for Transfer should refer to the Transfer Information section.) These degrees are designed to provide students with the necessary skills to compete successfully in a culturally diverse and global job market. Among these are the ability to think and to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; to use mathematics; to understand the modes of inquiry of the major disciplines; to be aware of other cultures and times; to achieve insights gained through experience in thinking about ethical problems; and to develop the capacity for self-understanding. In addition to these accomplishments, the student shall possess sufficient depth in a field of knowledge to contribute to lifetime interest.

In accordance with law and with rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Board of Trustees of the Coast Community College District, the requirements for the degree of Associate in Arts or Associate in Science include the following:

  1. Unit Requirement
    Complete at least 60 units of acceptable college work with a minimum of 12 units completed in residence at Coastline. Earn an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher from all colleges attended and a 2.0 or higher grade point average at Coastline.
    Students must be in good academic standing (not on probation and/or disqualification) during the semester graduation is petitioned.
  2. Program of Study
    Complete the required courses in one of the programs as detailed In the Academic/Career/Certificate Programs section of this catalog. A summary of current programs can be found on the Programs Summary pages (see index). All coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
  3. General Education
    Complete one of the three General Education options below:
    1. Option 1—Coastline General Education: designed for students pursuing an Associate degree and who may or may not be planning to transfer to a four-year university. The degree is transferable to many colleges and universities.
    2. Option 2—CSU GE Breadth: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU system. It may also be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.
    3. Option 3—IGETC: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU or UC system. It also may be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.
  4. Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement1
    Complete at least 2.5 units from the Global and Multicultural Studies Courses. View Global and Multicultural Studies course list. This requirement may double count with a course completed as a part of a student's Program of Study or General Education.

Career Education Programs

Advanced Accounting, Certificate of Specialization

Allied Health Care Careers, Certificate of Achievement

Amazon Web Services, Certificate of Accomplishment

Bookkeeping, Associate of Science Degree

Bookkeeping, Certificate of Achievement

Building Codes Professional, Associate of Science Degree

Building Codes Professional, Certificate of Achievement

Business Administration 2.0, Associate in Science for Transfer Degree

Business Information Worker, Certificate of Achievement

Cloud Computing, Associate of Science Degree

Cloud Computing, Certificate of Achievement

Cybersecurity, Associate of Science Degree

Cybersecurity, Certificate of Achievement

Cybersecurity and Computer Networking, Certificate of Accomplishment

Cybersecurity Analyst, Certificate of Achievement

Cybersecurity Fundamentals, Certificate of Accomplishment

Data Analytics, Associate of Science Degree

Data Analytics, Certificate of Achievement

Data Analytics, Certificate of Specialization

Data Science, Certificate of Achievement

Dietary Management, Certificate of Achievement

Digital Forensics and Incident Response, Associate of Science Degree

Digital Forensics and Incident Response, Certificate of Achievement

Digital Media: Animation and Gaming Foundation, Certificate of Accomplishment

Digital Media Audio Video, Certificate of Specialization

Digital Media Design, Associate of Arts Degree

Digital Media Design, Certificate of Achievement

Digital Media Production, Certificate of Specialization

Digital Media Web, Certificate of Specialization

Drone Imaging, Certificate of Specialization

Educational Studies: ECE Unit Concentration, Certificate of Achievement

Educational Studies: General, Certificate of Achievement

Educational Studies: STEM: Instructional Technology Support Concentration, Certificate of Achievement

Educational Studies: STEM: Math Concentration, Certificate of Achievement

Educational Studies: STEM: Science Concentration, Certificate of Achievement

Educational Studies: Teach Your Career/Community College Teaching, Certificate of Achievement

Emergency Management/Homeland Security, Associate of Arts Degree

Emergency Management/Homeland Security, Certificate of Achievement

Emergency Management: Concentration in Criminal Justice, Associate of Arts Degree

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, Certificate of Achievement

Entrepreneurship Essentials, Certificate of Specialization

Entrepreneurship for Artist, Certificate of Specialization

General Accounting, Associate of Science Degree

General Accounting, Certificate of Achievement

General Business, Associate of Science Degree

General Business, Certificate of Achievement

Gerontology, Associate of Arts Degree

Gerontology, Certificate of Achievement

Global Business, Certificate of Achievement

Global Business Essentials, Certificate of Specialization

Health Care Management, Associate of Science Degree

Health Care Management, Certificate of Achievement

Health Science, Certificate of Achievement

Homeland Security (TSA), Certificate of Specialization

Human Resources Management, Associate of Science Degree

Human Resources Management, Certificate of Achievement

Human Services, Associate of Arts Degree

Human Services, Certificate of Accomplishment

Intermediate Accounting, Certificate of Specialization

Introduction to Programming, Certificate of Accomplishment

IT Support Specialist, Certificate of Accomplishment

Management, Associate of Science Degree

Management, Certificate of Achievement

Marketing, Associate of Science Degree

Marketing, Certificate of Achievement

Medical Administrative Office Technician, Certificate of Accomplishment

Medical Coding Specialist, Certificate of Accomplishment

Mobile Applications, Certificate of Accomplishment

Nutrition and Dietetics, Associate in Science for Transfer Degree

Paralegal Studies, Associate of Arts Degree

Paralegal Studies, Certificate of Achievement

Process Technology, Associate of Arts Degree

Process Technology, Certificate of Achievement

Process Technician Fundamentals, Certificate of Accomplishment

Project Management Essentials, Certificate of Specialization

Public Health Science, Associate in Science for Transfer Degree

Real Estate Broker, Certificate of Achievement

Real Estate Lending & Mortgage Brokering, Certificate of Specialization

Real Estate Property Salesperson, Certificate of Specialization

Real Estate Studies, Certificate of Achievement

Red Hat Linux Administration, Certificate of Accomplishment

Retail Management, Associate of Arts Degree

Retail Management, Certificate of Achievement

Retail Management – Advanced, Certificate of Accomplishment

Retail Management Essentials, Certificate of Accomplishment

Supply Chain Management, Associate of Science Degree

Supply Chain Management, Certificate of Achievement

Taxation, Associate of Science Degree

Taxation, Certificate of Achievement

Distance Learning Courses That Meet CSU System Transfer Requirements

Transferability subject to change. Check with your school.

Area A-English Language Communication and Critical Thinking

Course Title Units
A1: Oral Communication
None at this time
A2: Written Communication
ENGL C100Freshman Composition4
A3: Critical Thinking
ENGL C102Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing3
PHIL C115Logic and Critical Thinking3

Area B-Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning

Course Title Units
B1: Physical Science
ASTR C100Introduction to Astronomy3
CHEM C110Introduction to Chemistry5
CHEM C180General Chemistry A4
CHEM C185General Chemistry B4
GEOG C185Cultural Geography3
PHYS C110Conceptual Physics3
B2: Life Science
ANTH C185Physical Anthropology3
BIOL C100Introduction to Biology3
BIOL C120Biology of Aging3
ECOL C100Human Ecology3
MRSC C100Introduction to Marine Science3
B3: Laboratory Activity
BIOL C100LIntroduction to Biology Lab1
CHEM C110Introduction to Chemistry5
MRSC C100LMarine Sciences Lab1
B4: Mathematical/Quantitative Reasoning Concepts
MATH C100Liberal Arts Mathematics3
MATH C104Mathematics for Elementary Teachers3
MATH C106Geometry for Elementary Teachers3
MATH C115College Algebra4
MATH C120Trigonometry3
MATH C140Business Calculus4
MATH C150Finite Mathematics With Applications4
MATH C160Introduction to Statistics4
MATH C170Precalculus5
MATH C180Calculus 15
MATH C185Calculus 25
MATH C280Calculus 35
MATH C285Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations5

Area C-Arts and Humanities

Course Title Units
C1: Arts
ART C100Survey of Art: Prehistory through Late Gothic3
ART C101Survey of Art: Renaissance to Contemporary3
ART C105Introduction to Art3
MUS C100History and Appreciation of Music3
MUS C139History of Rock Music3
C2: Humanities
CHIN C180Elementary Chinese 15
ENGL C140Appreciation of Literature3
ENGL C143Children's Literature3
ENGL C155American Literature 1865 to Present3
ENGL C270British Literature to 18003
ENGL C275British Literature since 18003
ENGL C296Gothic Victorian Literature3
ENGL C297American Gothic Literature3
FREN C180Elementary French 15
HUM C110Humanities through the Arts3
HUM C135History and Appreciation of the Cinema3
PHIL C100Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL C113Environmental Ethics: Philosophical Approaches to Sustainability3
PHIL C120Ethics3
SPAN C180Elementary Spanish 15
SPAN C180AElementary Spanish 1A2.5
SPAN C180BElementary Spanish 1B2.5
SPAN C185Elementary Spanish 25
SPAN C185AElementary Spanish 2A2.5
SPAN C185BElementary Spanish 2B2.5
VIET C180Elementary Vietnamese 15
VIET C185Elementary Vietnamese 25

Area D-Social Sciences

Course Title Units
ANTH C100Cultural Anthropology3
ECON C170Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON C175Principles of Macroeconomics3
GEOG C100World Regional Geography3
GEOG C180Physical Geography3
GEOG C185Cultural Geography3
HIST C121History of American Women3
HIST C161World History 13
HIST C162World History 23
HIST C170United States History to 18763
HIST C175United States History since 18763
HIST C180Western Civilization 13
HIST C185Western Civilization 23
MCOM C100Introduction to Mass Communications3
PSCI C101Survey of Current Issues3
PSCI C180American Government3
PSYC C100Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC C116Child Growth and Development3
PSYC C118Life Span Developmental Psychology3
PSYC C165Principles of Human Sexuality 13
PSYC C170Psychology of Aging3
PSYC C250Psychobiology3
PSYC C255Abnormal Psychology3
PSYC C260Social Psychology3
PSYC C280Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology4
SOC C100Introduction to Sociology3
SOC C110Dating, Relationships, and Marriage3
SOC C120Introduction to Gerontology3
SOC C185Analysis of Social Problems3

Area E—Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development

Course Title Units
BUS C120Personal Finance3
COUN C104Career and Life Planning3
COUN C105Strategies for College Success3
FN C170Nutrition3
FN C225Nutrition through the Lifecycle3
GERO C220Controversies and Ethical Issues in Aging3
HLTH C100Personal Health3
HLTH C223Healthy Aging3
PSYC C116Child Growth and Development3
PSYC C118Life Span Developmental Psychology3
PSYC C165Principles of Human Sexuality 13
SOC C120Introduction to Gerontology3

Electives

All other Distance Learning courses numbered between C100 and C299 are transferable to CSU as Electives or Lower-Division major requirements.

Distance Learning Courses That Meet IGETC Transfer Requirements

Area 1-English Communication

Course Title Units
Group A: Freshman Composition
ENGL C100Freshman Composition4
Group B: Critical Reasoning
ENGL C102Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing3

Area 2-Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

Course Title Units
MATH C115College Algebra 14
MATH C140Business Calculus 14
MATH C150Finite Mathematics With Applications4
MATH C160Introduction to Statistics4
MATH C170Precalculus 15
MATH C180Calculus 1 15
MATH C185Calculus 25
MATH C280Calculus 35
MATH C285Introduction to Linear Algebra and Differential Equations5

Area 3-Arts and Humanities

Course Title Units
Group A: Arts
ART C100Survey of Art: Prehistory through Late Gothic3
ART C101Survey of Art: Renaissance to Contemporary3
ART C105Introduction to Art3
MUS C100History and Appreciation of Music3
MUS C139History of Rock Music3
Group B: Humanities
CHIN C185Elementary Chinese 25
ENGL C140Appreciation of Literature3
ENGL C143Children's Literature3
ENGL C150American Literature through the Civil War3
ENGL C155American Literature 1865 to Present3
ENGL C275British Literature since 18003
ENGL C296Gothic Victorian Literature3
ENGL C297American Gothic Literature3
HUM C100Introduction to the Humanities3
HUM C110Humanities through the Arts3
HUM C135History and Appreciation of the Cinema3
PHIL C100Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL C113Environmental Ethics: Philosophical Approaches to Sustainability3
PHIL C120Ethics3
SPAN C185Elementary Spanish 25
VIET C185Elementary Vietnamese 25

Area 4-Social and Behavioral Sciences

Course Title Units
ANTH C100Cultural Anthropology3
ECOL C100Human Ecology3
ECON C170Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON C175Principles of Macroeconomics3
GEOG C100World Regional Geography3
GEOG C185Cultural Geography3
HIST C121History of American Women3
HIST C180Western Civilization 13
HIST C185Western Civilization 23
MCOM C100Introduction to Mass Communications3
PSCI C101Survey of Current Issues3
PSCI C180American Government3
PSYC C100Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC C116Child Growth and Development3
PSYC C118Life Span Developmental Psychology3
PSYC C165Principles of Human Sexuality 13
PSYC C170Psychology of Aging 13
PSYC C260Social Psychology3
PSYC C280Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology4
SOC C100Introduction to Sociology3
SOC C110Dating, Relationships, and Marriage3
SOC C185Analysis of Social Problems3

Area 5-Physical and Biological Sciences

Course Title Units
Group A: Physical Sciences
ANTH A185Physical Anthropology3
ASTR C100Introduction to Astronomy3
CHEM C110Introduction to Chemistry 15
CHEM C180General Chemistry A4
CHEM C185General Chemistry B4
GEOG C180Physical Geography3
GEOL C105General Geology3
GEOL C105LGeology Lab 11
GEOL C115California Geology3
GEOL C185Historical Geology3
PHYS C110Conceptual Physics 13
Group B: Biological Sciences
BIOL C100Introduction to Biology3
BIOL C100LIntroduction to Biology Lab 11
MRSC C100Introduction to Marine Science3
MRSC C100LMarine Sciences Lab1

Area 6-Languages Other Than English

Course Title Units
CHIN C180Elementary Chinese 15
FREN C180Elementary French 15
SPAN C180Elementary Spanish 15
VIET C180Elementary Vietnamese 15

Note: Not all of the courses listed are offered every semester or summer session. Students are encouraged to confirm the transferability of these classes. Be sure to talk to an academic counselor.

This information is subject to change. For the latest information please check the Course Catalog or www.coastline.edu.

Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement*

Course Title Units
Complete at least 2.5 units of the following:
ANTH C100Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH C150World Cultures3
ARAB C180Elementary Arabic 15
ARAB C180AElementary Arabic 1A2.5
ARAB C180BElementary Arabic 1B2.5
ARAB C182Conversational Arabic3
ARAB C185Elementary Arabic 25
ARAB C185AElementary Arabic 2A2.5
ARAB C185BElementary Arabic 2B2.5
ARAB C280AIntermediate Arabic 1A2
ARAB C280BIntermediate Arabic 1B2
ARAB C285AIntermediate Arabic 2A2
ARAB C285BIntermediate Arabic 2B2
ART C100Survey of Art: Prehistory through Late Gothic3
ART C101Survey of Art: Renaissance to Contemporary3
ART C103History of Asian Art3
ART C104The History of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art3
ART C105Introduction to Art3
ART C109The History and Appreciation of Italian Renaissance Art3
ART C135Survey of Chinese Brush Painting2
ART C137History and Appreciation of Chinese Art and Culture2
ART C176Survey of East Asian Brush Painting3
CHIN C180Elementary Chinese 15
CHIN C185Elementary Chinese 25
CJ C148Multicultural Studies in Criminal Justice3
CMST C150Intercultural Communication3
ENGL C144The International Short Story3
ENGL C145American Literature: The Short Story3
ENGL C150American Literature through the Civil War3
ENGL C155American Literature 1865 to Present3
FREN C180Elementary French 15
FREN C185Elementary French 25
FREN C280Intermediate French 14
FREN C285Intermediate French 24
GEOG C185Cultural Geography3
GERO C240Aging in a Multicultural Society3
HIST C115Latin American History and Culture3
HIST C122Chicano History3
HIST C132History of Britain and Ireland 13
HIST C135History of Britain and Ireland 23
HIST C146History of Mexico3
HIST C161World History 13
HIST C162World History 23
HIST C180Western Civilization 13
HIST C185Western Civilization 23
HSVC C100Introduction to Human Services3
HUM C100Introduction to the Humanities3
HUM C110Humanities through the Arts3
HUM C135History and Appreciation of the Cinema3
ITAL C180Elementary Italian 15
ITAL C185Elementary Italian 25
JAPN C180Elementary Japanese 15
JAPN C185Elementary Japanese 25
MUS C103World Music3
PHIL C100Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL C113Environmental Ethics: Philosophical Approaches to Sustainability3
SIGN C180American Sign Language 14
SOC C100Introduction to Sociology3
SOC C130Globalization and Social Change3
SPAN C160Spanish for Spanish Speakers 15
SPAN C165Spanish for Spanish Speakers 25
SPAN C180Elementary Spanish 15
SPAN C180AElementary Spanish 1A2.5
SPAN C180BElementary Spanish 1B2.5
SPAN C185Elementary Spanish 25
SPAN C185AElementary Spanish 2A2.5
SPAN C185BElementary Spanish 2B2.5
SPAN C280Intermediate Spanish 14
SPAN C285Intermediate Spanish 24
VIET C160Vietnamese For Vietnamese Speakers5
VIET C180Elementary Vietnamese 15
VIET C185Elementary Vietnamese 25
VIET C280Intermediate Vietnamese 14
VIET C285Intermediate Vietnamese 24

*This requirement is waived for students completing an Associate Degree for Transfer (see Transfer Information for Associate Degree for Transfer).