California State University offers online degree

Anibal Ortiz

Cal State Fullerton will be among those offering online degrees

On Monday the 23-campus Cal State University system becomes the largest public university to roll out online degree programs.

It’s offering six degrees at both the bachelor and masters level in business administration, applied studies, public administration, and management information technology-- a bit of a slow start.

The university's targetting students who already have some Cal State or community college classes under their belt, said John Welty, chair of Cal State’s online advisory board.

“We know there are large numbers of students wanting to complete degrees," he said, "particularly in areas like business and applied studies so this is an effort to provide additional access to the citizens of California."

The first batch will be offered by the Cal State campuses in Dominguez Hills, Fullerton, and Monterey Bay. The Northridge, Fresno, and East Bay campuses will begin offering fully online degree programs later this year, officials said.

Per unit fees are $400 to $500 -- that’s more than a class on a Cal State campus, but cheaper than some competing online programs.

"This provides another option for students at a more reasonable price point than if they had

University of Phoenix and other private universities have been offering online degrees for years.