University of California Online Bachelor Degree Programs

The vast University of California (UC) system offers students a range of excellent online bachelor’s degree programs from some of the nation’s top public universities.

With 10 campuses spanning the state, UC has long been considered a leader in both in-person and online higher education.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the different online bachelor’s degree options available through UC schools, what makes their programs unique, and how to determine which is the best fit for your goals.

Overview of UC Online Bachelor Degree Offerings

The UC system has been steadily growing its portfolio of fully online undergraduate programs over the past decade. Currently, several UC campuses provide degree completion pathways for transfer students as well as first-time freshmen enrollment options.

Here’s a quick rundown:

UC Berkeley: Offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies degree completion program for transfer students.

UC Davis: Has online degree completion programs in areas like Psychology and Sociology for transfers. Also piloted a 4-year online degree in Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior (NPB).

UC Irvine: Provides degree pathways in Criminology, Law & Society and Psychology for transfers through its UC Irvine Flex program.

UC Riverside: Launched its Inland Empire Online initiative in 2020, with online degrees available in Business Administration, Communication, and more.

UC Santa Cruz: Piloted a few exploratory online degree programs but has not rolled any out fully yet.

While the individual programs and availability may vary, all UC online degrees are taught by the same world-class faculty as on-campus programs and aim to provide a high-quality UC education experience regardless of location or modality.

Let’s explore some key UC online options in more depth.

UC Berkeley’s Online BA in Legal Studies

The University of California, Berkeley is internationally renowned as a public Ivy and top-ranked research institution.

Its online Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies degree completion program lets working adults leverage their lower division coursework to earn a degree from this highly prestigious university.

Some notable aspects of the UC Berkeley Online BA in Legal Studies program include:

Transfer-friendly: Meant for community college transfers with 60+ transferable credits already completed. No minimum GPA requirement.

Flexibility: Full online asynchronous format. Complete courses on your own schedule in 6-week sessions. No fixed term start/end dates.

Affordability: At around $10,000 total for the 60-unit program, it’s significantly less expensive than an on-campus degree.

Convenience: Fully remote access to UC Berkeley’s top-tier curriculum and resources from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.

Reputation: Earn a degree from one of the most globally recognized public universities, opening doors in law, business, government and more.

While the degree focuses on legal studies, the flexible, affordable nature of the online format makes it a compelling option for transfers from any major looking to complete their degree from a premier public institution. Let’s explore the particulars of enrollment next.

Enrolling in UC Berkeley’s Online Program

To be eligible for UC Berkeley’s online BA in Legal Studies degree completion pathway, students must have finished their general education/lower division courses either through an associate degree or at least 60 transferable semester units at a California community college.

There are no minimum GPA requirements.

The application process involves: Completing the online application and paying the $70 fee. Submitting all official transcripts for evaluation and confirmation of eligibility.

Completing any necessary lower division prerequisites that may be missing. Meeting with an academic advisor to plan the final 2-year online degree map.

Accepted students can start their program in fall, spring, or summer terms on a rolling admissions basis. Courses are delivered fully online through the Canvas learning management system.

Financial aid is available to those who qualify, including federal and state grants as well as scholarships especially for California residents. Employer tuition reimbursement may also apply for working professionals.

With flexible anytime enrollment, full remote access, and an affordable price tag, UC Berkeley’s online bachelor’s pathway makes a top-tier UC education much more attainable for working transfers seeking to advance their career prospects with a respected degree.

Let’s dive into another key UC online option next.

UC Davis’ New 4-Year Online Degree Program

In 2020, the University of California, Davis launched one of the first fully online 4-year bachelor’s degree programs in the UC system – a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior (NPB). This innovative program aims to bring a comprehensive UC Davis education to students anywhere in the world through an entirely virtual format.

Some highlights of UC Davis’ online NPB degree include:

Accessible: No requirements for standardized tests, minimum GPAs, letters of recommendation or personal statements to apply.

Affordable: At just $10,000 per year total cost, it’s more budget-friendly than many other online bachelor’s programs.

Hands-on: Labs are conducted through virtual simulations to ensure students gain practical scientific skills.

Flexible: Most courses are fully asynchronous, with options for synchronous participation if desired. No strict schedules.

Engaging: Small class sizes enable meaningful student-faculty interaction. Seminars, review sessions and group projects foster collaboration.

Rigorous: Taught by the same highly ranked faculty as on-campus majors, upholding UC Davis’ standards of academic excellence.

Through this pioneering effort, UC Davis aims to welcome a new generation of online-only undergraduate students while maintaining the quality, affordability and hands-on learning for which it is known. Let’s explore the nuts and bolts of enrolling.

Enrolling in UC Davis’ Online Bachelor’s Program

To enroll in UC Davis’ online B.S. in NPB degree program, students can apply for fall admission each year through the regular UC undergraduate application process.

High school diploma or GED required for freshmen applicants. No minimum GPA, test scores, etc.  Submit UC application as well as program-specific academic history, activities and short-answer questions.

$70 application fee waived for first year. No supplemental fees required beyond standard tuition/costs. Rolling admissions – apply anytime from October to latest July. Admission notification within 4-6 weeks.

Upon acceptance, work with dedicated online student supports staff for enrollment steps. Start in fall term taking 12-18 units per quarter year-round to graduate in 4 years.

With its flexible, convenient online format and hands-on lab experiences, UC Davis’ innovative approach creates new opportunities for students to gain a top-tier STEM education from the start of their academic journey regardless of location. Let’s explore one final program type next.

UC Irvine’s Flex Program

In addition to 4-year degrees, several UC campuses offer flexible online degree completion pathways to help working transfer students efficiently earn their bachelor’s. One such option is UC Irvine’s Flex program.

Some attributes that set UC Irvine Flex apart: It is available majors include Criminology, Law and Society and Psychological Science. More to be added. Streamlined degree maps require just 2 years of additional part-time study after completing an ADT or AA-T.

Flat per-unit tuition of $372 for California residents, with no extra program or technology fees. Access to career advising, library resources, tutoring and other student support services online. Classes taught alongside on-campus courses by the same distinguished faculty. No difference in quality or rigor.

Fully online, asynchronous format allows working students to attend on their flexible schedule. By leveraging existing transfer-level credits, Flex enables busy professionals to conveniently achieve the prestigious “UC Irvine” credential while continuing their full-time jobs and responsibilities.

Applying and Enrolling in UC Irvine’s Flex Program

To qualify for UC Irvine’s online degree completion Flex program, prospective students must: Have an AD-T or AA-T and minimum UC transfer requirements already satisfied. Submit a UC application selecting “Incoming Transfer Student – Flex Program” as academic level.

Pay $70 application fee. Priority application deadline is March 1 for fall enrollment. Request transcripts from all prior colleges be sent to UC Irvine for credit evaluation. Qualifying applicants are automatically admitted once credit requirements verified.

An enrollment counselor then assists with major declaration, remaining course plan and enrollment steps like financial aid if needed. With rolling admissions all year, Flex offers the flexibility to start any term.

Determining the Right UC Online Program Fit

With the variety of options across the UC system, weighing the pros and cons of each is important before committing your time and resources. Here are a few key factors to consider as you compare programs: