As you know, online and distance learning has developed over the years and become a growing percentage of college education courses offered by educational institutions nationwide. An increasing number of traditional and post-traditional students are taking online courses or programs for greater flexibility in balancing their work, family, and life situations. Since the majority of students attending community colleges need to work while pursuing their studies, community colleges that offer more flexible course schedules in hybrid, and site-based formats are better able to accommodate these students’ needs. Coastline is proud to be an example of such an institution offering about 83% of our programs through various distance learning modalities as well as offering site-based programs.
California community colleges lead the way in distance learning and online education nationwide; Coastline College has been a leader in California for online education and distance learning since it was founded in 1976. From its inception, Coastline College focused on bringing education into the community where people live and work and utilized non-traditional formats to provide flexible distance education class and program offerings. The College has always directed the development of its courses and schedules from a student-centered approach.
Community college students in general, are a much more diverse demographic than traditional students at four-year universities. Many of these students are first-generation college students, or, returning students who have been away from college for several years and in the workforce, or military and veteran students. Coastline has developed over the years a wealth of distinct and collaborative programs for its diverse population of students to achieve their educational goals. Some of these programs include Learning 1st Program, which offers a pathway to a four-year university degree, military programs such as the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE), and even distance education for a large incarcerated student population. Coastline has led the state in proportionality of online enrollment (Coastline 52%, CA State 16%).
“Coastline’s culture of collaboration and innovative student-focused mindset is evident in the programs and support services offered by the College such as our virtual library, distance learning department, and technologically advanced support services.” – Shelly Blair, PhD, Dean of Innovative Learning, Coastline College
Coastline’s dedicated faculty and staff have always focused on improving student success, retention and persistence rates through all methods of courses and programs offered. The result has delivered exceptional achievement rates across all curriculums. Coastline has a 70 percent success rate and an 85 percent retention rate in online courses, in addition to the high number of students completing transfers to four-year universities and being awarded degrees or certificates.
Coastline College has received many accolades over the years including the past 8 years being selected as one of the top 150 colleges by The Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence which is considered the most nationally prestigious prize for community colleges. Coastline College has most recently been recognized for its Online Learning Excellence by Affordable Colleges Online for offering one of the best online learning environments in the county. Coastline has also garnered top ranking nationwide from Affordable Colleges Online for #2 nationwide in best online business management programs, history programs, psychology programs, and colleges that offer laptops. According to a 2017 McGraw-Hill Education Digital Study Trend survey, students said that laptops are the #1 device they use for their college studies.