The BPPE approves private postsecondary schools to operate in the state that meet "minimum standards established by the Bureau for integrity, financial stability, and educational quality.

"[2] In 2004, and prior to their DEAC accreditation, the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) found that federal employees had improperly received subsidies to attend CCU.

[3][4] Since the early 1970s, California Coast University has offered off-campus self-paced degree programs to mid-career adults.

[5] In the 1980s, seven years of verifiable full time on the job experience were required before entering the doctoral programs.

Students earn their degrees through a variety of methods including transfer credit from other recognized educational institutions, courses completed at CCU, and specialized, documented, formal training (undergraduate level only).