FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the program?
Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and Antioch University Santa Barbara (AUSB) have joined forces so you can earn a bachelor’s degree without leaving Santa Barbara and without quitting your full-time job.

How does the program work?

  1. You earn 60 transferable semester units of credit at Santa Barbara City College.
  2. Apply for admission to AUSB and once admitted, complete an additional 20 transferable credits at SBCC.
  3. Take your final 40 semester (or equivalent 60 quarter credits) of upper-division courses from Antioch University and earn a Bachelor of Liberal Studies. (40 semester units equals 60 quarter units.)
You don’t need to leave Santa Barbara or quit your job to finish your Bachelor’s Degree.

Why Antioch University?
Antioch University was founded in 1852 by Horace Mann and is known for its highly personal attention, flexible scheduling, small class sizes, and commitment to student success. Antioch University also has M.A. and doctoral programs. You can also earn up to 12 credits towards your M.A. degree in Organizational Management during your Bachelor program. Our M.A. in Education with a Teaching Credential program offers an early decider component where students who will complete the final two quarters of their B.A. degree can enter the M.A. in Education/Teacher Credential program and use units earned in their final quarters toward both their B.A. & M.A. in Education/Teaching Credential.

Who is eligible to attend?
You must have earned a 2.0 G.P.A. and should have completed a minimum of 20 transferable semester units. Students with lower than a 2.0 G.P.A. may be considered due to special circumstances. Only courses where you earned a “C” or better are transferable. It is recommended that students take at least 60 semester units before applying to AUSB and an additional 20 semester units at SBCC before attending AUSB.

What degree will I earn?
Bachelor of Liberal Studies. You may choose an area of emphasis:
  1. Business
  2. Communication
  3. Creative Writing
  4. Liberal Studies
  5. Psychology
  6. Social Services Administration
  7. Human Services
  8. Child, Family & Society

What is a Bachelor of Liberal Studies?
A Bachelor of Liberal Studies is a degree that provides a broad base of knowledge, the skills to succeed in the workplace and in life, and the requisite competence in a field of specialization. A Bachelor of Liberal Studies gives basic preparation for many careers as well as graduate programs. Liberal Studies graduates work in various fields including business, education, law, government, health care, real estate, social service, and private industry. Please check with a counselor to ensure that your career plans are consistent with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree because some M.A. programs may require a B.A. in a specific discipline (e.g. foreign languages, some science M.A. programs, etc.) to be eligible to apply for an M.A. program.

Is the University accredited?
Yes, Antioch University Santa Barbara is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of the six regional associations in the United States.

What are the benefits of this program?
The 80/40 program is both flexible and cost effective.

  1. Save money by completing 80 semester units at SBCC and only paying AUSB fees for your last 40 semester/60 quarter units. The 80/40 program is competitive cost-wise when compared with two full years at UC or CSU or other private schools.
  2. Classes can be taken on a full time or part time basis.
  3. You can complete all degree requirements without having to take a math course.
  4. Department of Labor statistics show that students with a B.A. degree earn over half a millions dollars more in their life than students with an A.A. or A.S. degree.

Do I need to take a full-time class load?
No, you do not need to take a full-time class load.

How do I know what classes I need to take?
Once your transcript has been evaluated by Antioch University, a list of SBCC courses will be provided to you.

Can I combine units from other colleges?
Yes, if you have taken courses at other colleges, your transcript will be evaluated by Antioch University and they will determine what remaining courses will need to be taken.

Do I have to earn an Associate Degree before I can apply?
No. Students can apply any time, with as few as 20 transferable semester units. However, Antioch University suggests students apply after reaching approximately 60 units so that Antioch can recommend the remaining units to be completed at SBCC and Antioch. Generally it is recommended to earn an Associate Degree from SBCC.

Is it possible to receive academic credit towards the B.A. Degree for my life and/or work experience?
Antioch University allows students to document learning from life experience for academic credit. Students desiring to take advantage of this option must take a Prior Learning Assessment Workshop to learn how to document their learning. Students transferring 80 semester units to Antioch must document their learning from life experience as upper-division learning.

What is the college level math requirement to transfer?
There is no math requirement. Antioch University requires 2 research methods classes for graduation:  Experimental Design and Survey Research.  These requirements can be met at Antioch or SBCC.  SBCC courses that meet these requirements are: MATH 117 or PSYCH 150 for Survey Research; and SOC 115, COMM 288, or PSYCH 200 for Experimental Design. 

How long will it take me to graduate?
That depends on the number of units transferred into AUSB and the number of quarter units taken each term. A part-time student transferring in 80 semester units and taking 9 units per quarter at AUSB can finish their B.A. degree in less than two years because AUSB offers 4 quarters a year. A full-time student taking 15 units a quarter can complete the degree in one year.

Can I attend both schools at the same time?
Yes, you may be enrolled at and attend classes at both schools.

How do I apply?
Complete the Antioch University application form. The form is available on the web at www.antiochsb.edu

Is there a fee to apply?
The fee to apply is $60.00.

What are the deadlines to apply?
You may enroll year-round. There are no specific application deadlines.

How much does it cost?
You will pay whatever SBCC fees you would normally pay while you are completing 80 semester units. The final 40 semester/60 quarter units cost approximately $325 per unit depending on the number of units you take, excluding books.

Do I need to be a California resident or will I have to pay out of state tuition?
No, you do not need to be a resident of California for the program. You will pay the same fees as a resident of California.

Is financial aid available for the last 40 units?
Yes, financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Can International Students be part of the program?
Yes. Antioch University also suggests that International students apply after they reach approximately 60 transferable hours (credits) so that AUSB can recommend the remaining hours to be completed at SBCC and AUSB.

What are the fee structure and admissions requirements for International students?
The costs and admissions requirements are generally the same for international students in the 80/40 program as for California residents except that international students pay $150 extra per quarter. International students are ineligible for federal financial aid.

Is there a time limit to completing the program once I have been accepted?
No, there is no time limit to completing the program.

Is continuous enrollment required?
No, continuous enrollment is not required. If students feel they need to take an approved leave of absence for a quarter or two they may do so and then come back and finish the program. International students need to stay enrolled full time.

Where can I get more information?
Contact Rebecca Borgioli at rborgioli@antiochsb.edu or call Rebecca at (805) 962-8179 ext. 330 for a personal, confidential appointment.