FAQ

Please reach out to the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Yes, you can. If you left school with a low GPA, we will work with you to create your pathway back. If you have been academically disqualified, SSU offers a “Second Start Program” through the Registrar’s Office to help you get back on track, reach your goal and earn your college degree.

Yes, in order to apply you must be upper division transfer eligible which at minimum includes 60 units. In some instances, there are specific lower division prerequisite courses required that you may or may not have completed within the 60 units. If you don’t yet meet these requirements, our Adult Learner Concierge can work with you to develop a personalized plan to become transfer-ready and prepare for your path to Sonoma State.

SSU offers two different, fully-online Degree Completion Pathways to complete a BS Business-Management or a BA Liberal Studies degree:

Extended Education Degree Completion Program

SSU Stateside Degree Completion Program

Both pathways are taught by the same faculty and lead to the same degree. Students take the same coursework and graduate with a degree from Sonoma State University. Which program is best for you depends on your situation. We are happy to discuss your options with you, but ultimately, that decision is up to you. See the chart on the Extended Education Degree Completion Fees page.

Extended Education DCP: The Extended Education Pathway was established with adults in mind. In addition to support from the faculty, this pathway provides a dedicated Adult Learner Concierge to help you plan a course pathway that works for your life, and support you from pre-application advising right through to graduation day. Our Concierge also works with returning students of any previous major to explore options for course substitutions in our degree paths as well as potential for awarding of credit for prior learning. In this model, you take as many or as few classes as you want at a per unit cost. This pathway offers a flexible schedule, and offers the opportunity to pursue a degree without adding the expense of mandatory fees for on-campus services that many fully-online students don't use.

SSU Stateside DCP: The Stateside Pathway is designed for students who are prepared to enroll with a student cohort full-time for four consecutive semesters, but prefer a fully-online program to an in-person program. This pathway is ideal for students who learn best through online education rather than in a face-to-face classroom, but who may still want to take advantage of the benefits of campus life. The stateside program also offers the least expensive choice for a full-time student and is most likely the fastest route to your degree. In addition to the faculty, in this model, students also may receive support from centralized University Advising.

The time to completion will be different for every student. It is based on the number of transfer credits, credits for prior learning, work or military experience, choice of major, and how many units you want to take per semester.

There is no time limit. Some of our Degree Completion students are returning to school after 20 years or more. Your Concierge will review all of your past coursework and guide you through the process of documenting prior coursework to current catalog requirements, and maximizing (wherever possible) the number of earned units toward your degree completion. Your Concierge will also help you make a degree plan with an estimated timeline to graduation.

Yes! Once you are admitted and matriculated (paid your enrollment registration deposit), Sonoma State University will evaluate your experience for potential academic transfer credit. In the Extended Education Pathway, your Concierge will also work with you to explore additional course substitution options and areas of learning, knowledge, and skills acquired in the past that may be eligible for awarding credit for prior learning. For more information about the evaluation process, see the Credit for Prior Learning page on the website for the Office of the Registrar.

The Extended Education Degree Completion program includes access to personal concierge services by our adult learning student services professional. She provides pre-application advising and support related to prior learning and transfer credit, application and enrollment assistance, scheduling and registration, academic referral and support services, and a clear path to graduation.

To get started, submit an Interest Form!

Sonoma State has priority deadlines that may be extended on a semester-by-semester basis. Please visit the Admissions website for the most current information.

Spring 2027
First look for Sonoma Extension. Then check one program box:

Business Administration (online DCP) - Management Upper Division Transfer Spring
Liberal Studies (DCP) Upper Division Transfer Spring

Fall 2027
First look for Sonoma Extension. Then check one program box.

Business Administration (online DCP) Management - Upper Division Transfer - Fall
Liberal Studies (online DCP) - Upper Division Transfer - Fall

No. Your degree will be exactly the same as the degree obtained through the Stateside pathway.

Can I obtain financial aid or other means of assistance to cover the costs?

Can I return to school and graduate even if I left with an academic disqualification or low GPA?

Do I need to have completed 60 units to apply to a Degree Completion Program at SSU?

How do I know which Degree Completion Pathway to choose?

How long will it take for me to complete my degree requirements and graduate?

I was enrolled many years ago and never finished. Is there a time limit to completing my degree?

In the Extended Education pathway, can I receive credit for prior learning, work or military experience?

What are Adult Learner Concierge Services?

What are the application deadlines?

When applying through CalStateApply, what program name should I check on my application?

Will my degree be different if I complete the degree through Extended Education?