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Organizational Leadership Studies Frequently Asked Questions
About the Program | Admissions | Financial Assistance | Coursework & Requirements | Graduation
About the Program
Is an online degree for me?
Taking courses online isn't for everyone. A student has to be well-organized and disciplined to stay on top of their course work. Students need to plan ahead, to ensure their course work is completed along with everything else in their life. There are benefits to studying online: you can take classes at your convenience, and you don't have to fight traffic and find and pay for parking.
The best way to determine if online study is for you is to take a course. The Organizational Leadership Studies program allows students to take courses before they are accepted into the program. Enroll in and complete a course before you apply. That way, you will know exactly what you are getting into.
How are Asynchronous Online Courses Conducted?
With asynchronous courses, a student doesn't need to be logged in at the same time as the rest of the class. Courses are offered online and are accessed via the Canvas Learning Management System at https://canvas.csudh.edu/.
The instructors will post weekly guided content and assignments with due dates; the courses are NOT self-paced and require classroom participation. Students should find a syllabus, course materials, assignments, discussion boards and the grade book.
Students will need to visit Canvas regularly to participate by posting responses to instructor's questions and participating in class discussions utilizing the discussion board. Students are also required to complete the online readings and exercises. Each class session includes an assignment that will reinforce the material, promote the peer review process, and provide a hands-on learning experience.
Will my degree say "distance learning"?
No, this is the same degree that students on campus receive. There is no mention of distance learning, continuing, extended, or alternative education on the degree or your transcripts.
Do I ever have to come to the Dominguez Hills campus?
No, you can take all of the upper-division courses necessary to complete the 120 units required for the degree without ever coming to the campus.
Admissions
Do I need an AA or AS degree to be accepted into this program?
No. Students need to have earned a minimum of 60 lower division units, fulfilled the lower division general education requirement, have a 2.0 GPA in transferable units and be in good standing at the last college attended (see Transfer Students Website and CSUDH catalog).
Financial Assistance
Is financial aid available? Are students in this program eligible for Financial Aid?
Yes, but not until they have applied and been accepted to the university. OLS distance learning students are eligible for the same financial aid as on-campus students with one exception. Distance learning students are not eligible for State University Grants. (See Financial Aid)
Coursework & Requirements
How many units must I complete at CSU Dominguez Hills?
A minimum of 120 semester units is required for the bachelor's degree. A minimum of 40 semester units of upper division credit must be completed. To meet the residency requirement, a minimum of 30 semester units must be completed at CSUDH, of which 24 shall be earned in upper division courses and 12 upper division units shall be in the major (see CSUDH catalog).
How many units can I transfer into the Organizational Leadership Studies program?
Students can transfer a maximum of 70 lower division transferable units from accredited community colleges. Students can also transfer upper division units earned at a 4 year college or university if the courses meet the requirements of the Organizational Leadership Studies Program. Students will receive an evaluation of their courses after they are accepted into the program.
How can I find out about the General Education requirements at CSUDH?
You can visit the University Advisement Center, and click on "General Education Course Descriptions". After admission to the University, a formal evaluation is done of transferable courses to meet General Education requirements.
What can I do if I have not completed all of the lower division requirements?
You can take courses at your local community college. If that is not possible, many community colleges offer online courses.
(See also Assist to find community college courses that transfer and fulfill CSU Dominguez Hills lower division general education requirements.)
How are exams given?
Exams are conducted online. In some cases, students may be asked to find a proctor who will monitor the exam for the university.
Graduation
How long does it take to graduate?
Generally speaking, a full-time student could expect to complete the program in as little as two years; a part-time student typically completes in a little over three years.
Is there a graduation ceremony?
Yes, students who have completed all the requirements for degree program can participate in the commencement ceremony, which takes place on the campus of CSUDH during the month of May in each year. Students who are close to meeting graduation requirements or currently have 90 units should review Graduation: FAQs. After reviewing all of the requirements for graduation, students should also contact the program advisor to make sure they have or are completing the major and minor requirements.
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