California Southern University Reviews

"I wish I could write a great review for this school, but it has truly been a nightmare. Especially this last year. Some of the mentors are great, but the bad one's are just ridiculously petty and get frustrated when asked for timely grading. I even had one back-shelf my work and purposely take longer when I asked politely for my final grade. Most mentors are here for an easy second paycheck and do not care at all. Accounting is next impossible to get through to and you cannot get your degree awarded until you have resolved all financial obligations. This is a major problem. The school also made deadline policies stricter which is potentially a direct contradiction to the original flexibility that drew many learners to the institution to begin with. Practicum courses are completely disorganized, incosistently governed across all three courses, and mentors for these course have no clue regarding BBS documentation. The school changed accreditation during my degree program and moved out of state. Supervising staff is condescending and passive aggressive. The list goes on and on. I am still waiting for resolve with this school and do not expect it to come anytime soon. Truly dissatisfied. Do not go here. Trust me!"

"This is a great school for individuals with a full schedule. The professors responded quickly when I needed assistance and clarification. I appreciate how the professors graded my assignments with actual feedback. Not only were the feedbacks constructive, they also expound on the subject matter. They even corrected my grammar and ensured that I fully understood APA. I've enrolled in other programs, and the feedbacks seemed very generic. I highly recommend this school."

"California Southern University mentors I have encountered lack professionalism and lack of communication. I have sent numerous emails asking for help, and the mentors lack providing me with the necessary assistance for the dissertation program. I was told when I enrolled in the program that I would obtain the necessary help from the mentors, and the program was guided to help me succeed in the dissertation program, which the mentors lack. California Southern University would need to look into whom they hired to teach their program because the mentors I encountered did not assist me very well in the program, and looking at the school’s online reviews confirms other students are experiencing similar issues with communication with the school. The school's mission statement, integrity, and values of the school did not meet my expectations, and I was expecting more from a higher-learner online education program. No one wants to take accountability for their actions or demonstrate to show me that they care as a paying student at California Southern University. I had no other choice but to withdraw from the program and pursue other endeavors."

"I’m so sad to read all the negative reviews about the decline of CSU. I attended from 2014-2019 and it was an amazingly rigorous, compassionate, and thorough Psy.D program that I would recommend to anyone. There was turnover then but I had a wealth of support from my advisors, professors, and my doctoral project committee. This program truly helped me to carve out my area of focus and contribution for the remainder of my career."

"I was prompted by an associate who was thinking about attending the school. They were concerned about recent negative reviews. They asked if I would attend again. I thought, hey I want to read some of the reviews. I read about all sorts of positive and negative issues. In some cases people who had complaints seemed to be dismissing situational factors like covid or even personal choice of others, meaning that blaming a school for changing a case manager or for that employee leaving when we have no idea the reasons for that person's choice does not seem rational. I read reviews where someone attended school for over 10 years made comments about something shady and provided no concrete examples which in psychology is not really helpful for correcting behaviors. My all time favorite is the review that made an appeal for negativity and to not attend using the psychological term "known in psychology as "gaslighting"". I have not found that one in the DSM 5 yet. Please be objective and look at your own goals not some online postings to make choices. Or if you are looking at posts, be objective and read both sides. The school for me did exactly what it was supposed to do. Regionally accredited university that provided the necessary educational requirements for licensure as a psychologist in the state of California, online and for a fair price that I was able to pay over time without interest. That was the deal they made me when I started and they kept it. All the rest is background noise. If they moved, people left the University, or if they changed platforms, these are are changes that might occur in any business. What is the deal you want from this and make your choices based on what is right for you. The education I received advanced my career, challenged me, provided what was needed to register with the state to become a psychologist and not one person has ever said, you are not a doctor because your school sucked. I met good people in administration, my cohort and other students who are still attending. I have met people in my industry who also went to the school who we have a common bond. I was able to keep my own pace, work remotely and did not have to work with others unless I chose to. To me attending classes in person is not worthy of the time I have left on this earth when I can get the same thing online. By the way I told the person I would attend again if I had to do it all over again."

"Horrible experience during the Practicum section of the psychology program. The clinical director came up with due dates at the last minute, putting at risk our registration for the next class. An extension was required 2/3 times because of several last minute changes that were never written or verbalized during the course. The IT department is intermittent with solving issues. The staff is non-responsive to student issues. No luck getting any concerns resolved! Don’t waste your time with this school. I sure regret it."

"I see a lot of negative responses about communication and advising. I don't understand this. I have had great experience with my advisor. When there is a question the advisor is prompt and either answers the question directly or puts me in touch with the person who can. Communication with Professors has been amazing. Again, if I have a question the professors are quick to answer and even offer Zoom calls if requested. The subjects and assignments are engaging and the classes are designed for students to communicate and work together. My experience as a student and someone who has worked for almost a decade in the field of higher education has taught me that a University experience is dependent on what you put into it. So many of the comments on this thread really reflect more of the learners attitudes towards education more than the institution. If you were to attend an Ive League or any other school you would face some issues with communication and this is partly due to the fact that the expectation of any program is that you are educated and motivated enough to find answers when you need them. It's 2022 and access to information is easier now than any other time in history. Higher education overall is not designed to baby you. If anything it is to teach you how to teach yourself. The higher the degree the more onus there is on the student to be independent. This is an online degree program, you should expect that you will have to do some leg-work. I have friends in many institutions that are in the top 1% that face the same issues that are mentioned in many of the negative comments. The difference is the attitude and individual motivation of the student. Calsouthern has a lot to offer for those who are able to apply themselves and commit to doing the work. The school is accredited and transparent. I recently had a question regarding licensure and the advisor literally initiated a conversation with the Board of Psychology to find answers. The only weakness I have found are the library resources, but this is also the case at many institutions. At the end of the day your education is in your own hands and is what you make of it. Expecting a professor, advisor or any representative to be at your beckon call (regardless of the institution) is rather lazy and unreasonable. Those that have had negative experiences would have had the same experiences regardless of whether they attended Oxford or a vocational school. Gas lighting is usually the expression of someone that can not take responsibility for their own actions and that is what I am reading throughout these reviews. Don't be discouraged by what you are seeing in these comments. I am a student at CalSouthern a long with a lot of great classmates who come from diverse backgrounds, and yes, there are those that only put 5 or 10% into their program and those are the one's that are always complaining. You can see it in the discussion posts. At the end of the day your education is what you make of it. You don't like a bad grade, you don't like that someone didn't do your research for you, you don't like that you didn't read the catalogue to understand the requirements of the Uni? That's not on the institution. You feel that your advisor didn't "reach out" or isn't responding? Request a new advisor... I have never had that kind of experience. I have had two advisors and they have been absolutely amazing. I have had professors that I have had great connections with and even after the class they will check in and see how I'm doing. They have a wealth of educational and professional background and are always open to share their experiences and even their struggles. So I would HIGHLY recommend CalSouthern. As far as the school being, "only concerned about money".... This is laughable.. Institutions make money that's just the reality of any business whether it is education or retail. I have worked with Institutions in higher education that would blow your mind when it comes to getting money out of you. Textbooks, parking tags, activity fees, class notes, club fees, high prices on campus based diners or cafeterias, even down to ridiculous fees for transcripts. Calsouthern, will refer you to sites that sell textbooks but you are free to get them wherever you want. The fees are straight forward and are even less than most institutions. I have attended Institutions that actually required that you buy printed copies of class notes for $30-$50... These were prestigious institutions. Calsouthern has never charged anything like this. Overall, I spent several years looking for an accredited university with a good online program. I moved overseasd 12 years ago and have had limited access to Doctoral programs. When I finally found this University I had my concerns as anyone would looking at an online program for the first time. Calsouthern, for me, has been and continues to be a great experience. I work hard, stay in touch with my advisor and professors as any student should and have never been disappointed by the response. Jason Sullivan class of 2024"

"I started as just tipping my toes in there, but I ended up taking my PsyD degree. It was rigorous and worth it. Downfall, the academic advisors were in and out ( resigned or something). Another thing: The university waived my tuition, and it was reset to $0.00, instead of paying in $16,000.00s, I paid less than $2,000.00. I am glad for the decision I made. Good luck to you all."

"I attended this school from 2012-22 for their PsyD program. The quality of the education is horrible. They eliminated all personal contact and students are completely on their own. They also moved to Arizona. What? Recently I tried calling three different numbers and extensions and got only voicemails, which is thought was odd. I also didn’t get a return call. They have made some incredibly shady changes in recent years, which is why I withdrew. I no longer have any faith in this PsyD program. Trust me when I say that you should look somewhere else because this place is seriously suspect. I spent over $10k and got nothing for it."

"CalSouthern University offered a great experience and increased my passion for research. The dissertation process was very challenging and rewarding. My chair Dr. Maria Schellhase was nothing less than amazing! This school will challenge you, so if you are looking for an easy degree without paying the price and sacrifice required, this is not the school for you. Overall, I rate my three-year journey a 5 with academics that transformed my career! I commend the school and recommended it to every serious learner!"

"I am completely dissatisfied with the level of administrative support I receive from the university. They switched from one platform to another (CANVAS) platform and the level of support I started with just vanished. I currently have no idea who my advisor is, nor do I know how to find that information. Also, I have left messages on the CANVAS board for advisement (as I'm almost done with coursework and want to prepare for the exam) and have had no return messages. The library is missing a lot of online journal subscriptions and I constantly run into roadblocks with finding research during literature reviews. The new library system is much less efficient and you have to click on individual searches with your search string rather than just one big meta search. It was much easier to find research in the old system. There also doesn't appear to be a lot of support yet for practicum preparation or internship preparation, and lack of the APA accreditation makes finding internships daunting. Though I'm not sure I'm going to get licensed as I don't intend to change my current career, it would be nice to have some flexible options. The financial system is such a mess, also, They just switched to a different company that handles the fee payment but there's also a balance due on the website, which is confusing. It just seems very fly-by-night with the new platform. The quality of instruction hasn't seemed too bad but there is a huge inconsistency in work demand between instructors, which some having more time devoted to smaller papers with one big project due in the last two weeks of the class that requires a great deal more time to complete."

"After exploring many avenues to attend a PSYD program, I enrolled at California Southern University. This was the best decision, and I am delighted and motivated to participate in the Online classes. My experience in this academic institution has been phenomenal. Currently, I am taking Clinical Interviewing, and the assigned textbook comes with an access code to videos. The videos and the content are fabulous, and I find myself actively learning from the assigned text. Also, the videos and other activities included in the course are great! These clinically driven classes are of extreme help because the clinicians/instructors in these videos discuss essential skills that the scholar/practitioner needs to know to practice within the Professional Practice of Psychology. Also, there are other WEB SEMINARS that are available to all graduate students enrolled in the PsyD. Moreover, I was able to transfer 30 units into the PsyD program, and I have now completed a few more courses, and I continue to make progress. This University is fully accredited (WASC), just like any other major university in Southern California. The only difference is that the tuition is reasonable for those with no other means, or resources to obtain a graduate education. In addition, I have received a %15 percent tuition discount for my U.S. Army Service, and I have received a scholarship from California Southern University, which has undoubtedly assisted me with my educational goals. The clerical staff and the accounting department had been very ethical, and the contract from the university is within ethical and honorable standards. My experience with this University has certainly been positive. My professors read my work, and they provide feedback on time. If the work is not acceptable to meet the University's academic standards, then the work needs to be resubmitted. I know it is not easy, but it needs to be done to earn the grade effectively. If you want to learn because you are eager to learn, and apply your knowledge in a work environment, then enroll. But if you want an easy ride, then consider other options. I am trying to convey that this is not an easy program, and it is geared toward those serious about developing new knowledge for cognitive gain. This University is fully accredited and meets (United States) national accreditation standards. The professors have earned credentials from American Psychological Association programs. Now, I know there are many negative reviews about the professors, the University, the staff, and even Gardner, that takes care of the plants around campus, LOL. The truth is that there is always going to be an opinion. I certainly will recommend this academic institution to my friends because it was founded under the premise that "Knowledge Conquers Everything." If you want to create new knowledge, evaluate, and analyze information, consider your options carefully, as there are many options. It is up to you to understand, remember and apply your knowledge. Remember, "You make the degree work for you." Practicums and Internships are also available in the Curriculum of the PSYD. To enroll, you would need to pass all core courses and electives, including comprehensive exams. Then Internships. I would highly encourage you to speak to an advisor for guidance. Good luck in your endeavors…… S."

"I chose California Southern University because tuition is affordable, and I get to work at my own pace. You will be just fine if you can self-motivate and are responsible for keeping track of time and pacing yourself. I don't recommend this school if you have terrible time management. Don't think you can pass without doing the work either. I feel the courses are vigorous and you will learn a lot. I love that I do not have to work with other learners in completing assignments. I have had to do that for my undergraduate courses in a different online program, which was terrible. Not everyone has the same work ethic as you do. I have only had two academic advisors throughout my time with this institution, and they were fantastic. I recommend this school."

"For a study-at-your-own-pace experience, I am self-motivated and this program was great. I liked not interacting with classmates or relying on the instructors, I prefer researching for myself, studying, then writing my analysis of the work. You get what you put in. They did a major overhaul of the platform in summer of 2021 and are still making improvements. My thesis committee was great, my chair was excellent, and she pushed me. As for the coursework, it was on par with my MBA work from another accredited school, so I feel it was fair. If you are new to online learning or need a lot of teacher/peer support, then this may not be for you. But if you want to work hard, fast, and do a lot of writing/research to earn a degree, then this program is good. Top notch? Not entirely, you do get what you pay for, but it is accredited and doable by any working professional."

"I have completed a few online degrees and worked in higher education and this is by far the worst learning environment I have had. The library is a canvas course and I am currently in an “interactive” class of one. My resources were poorly explained to me as a new student, there is no such thing as live supports, and the learning systems are lacking."

"My five years as a student at California Southern University was a wonderful experience! The flexibility in programming and the quality and rigour of the courses are on par with any brick and mortar university. I had a fantastic team to support me through my dissertation journey, and was able to graduate summa cum laude. As with any university program and especially one with a distance learning format, to be successful requires a high degree of motivation and self-discipline. If you are passionate about furthering your education and establishing yourself as a leader in the field of psychology, Californian Southern University is a great option!"

"I graduated about 8 months ago, paid my account in full, and still has not received my diploma, despite the fact I reached out to them several times and was left with no response. I am looking into my other options to escalate this issue. This is revolting and I feel indignant."

"I can't recommend this school. Please don't choose to go here just because the tuition is cheaper than elsewhere. You truly get exactly what you pay for. My experience is that this school's #1 priority is taking your money. Period. End of story. Some of their policies are punitive and greedy. Once they have you locked in to the program, they don't really care much about accommodating any problems or issues that may arise for you. They also switched my academic advisor part way through the program. What I was told by the first advisor regarding how many breaks I could take in between courses, was not upheld by the next advisor. I was also given other false information by my academic advisor that ended up costing me more money in the long run. Instead of apologizing for giving me inconsistent, conflicting information, they treated me like I was the one who was the problem. In psychological terms, this is what is known as "gaslighting." Be prepared to be bullied. I find this school's policies and practices to be somewhat shady and not honorable. I was also treated terrible as a student during the Covid-19 crisis. When the stay at home order hit California, I lost everything and had no income for several months. Initially. trying to get a leave of absence from this school was like pulling teeth. Eventually I got one, but they treated me just awful in the process. They have no compassion for students. My final message to any prospective student is this: Buyer beware. They want your money more than they want to make sure you have a good education or great experience, and there is a gaslighting culture here."

"The experience had it's ups and downs, but at the end of my program where I needed to test for the qualification examination, the university was missing-in-action the entire time. No support by-the-way regarding internship and practicum placement. Plus, they do not support APEX placement at all! I studied for three months in preparations of for the qualification examination, and the resources the university provided was minimal. Did not pass by one point, and reached out for support for study materials to be successful, and the Assistant Dean of Behavioral Health directly refused to help me. At this point, do you really think after five years I am going to having any positive to say after thousands of dollars spent on this university? HEL NO! Find somewhere else, but do not attend this PSYD Program. You will regret the end."

"I had 9 different advisors. They approved me to start my research project and in the middle of it told me that I had to take 2 additional courses. It always takes 5 to 6 emails to get anyone to respond from accounting or admin. When asked justification for a break down of an additional 1500 fee, no one could give a reasonable explanation other than " admin stuff" and "scheduling". I was told by the Dean " it is what it is". Education is decent, the admin and leadership is horrible. *Update... since complaining to the Dean about the services I was being provided, I was told that my chair will be replaced due to being on too many chairs. I am on the last 2 chapters of my doctorate project.. and they replaced my chair person. The person I have been working with the entire time on my project! I was told there would be a fair review process of my complaint and would have a student representative to talk to. No one talked to me to understand my complaint, rather I was sent a letter that stated that the "University is under no obligation to provide me with a consistent chair through out my education". There are many options for schools, pick any other option! The people at this university do not care about the students. The Dean of psychology told me that when they made the decision to replace my chair, that my perspective was not considered. In the letter I received, they literally told me what is "in my best interest" ...with out even consulting me about MY education. Do not waste your time and money"