California Southern University is a private, for-profit, university that began its operations in 1978. It offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs 100% online in psychology, business and management, risk management and regulatory compliance, criminal justice, nursing, and education. California Southern University is located in Costa Mesa, California. It is not to be confused with Southern California College in Costa Mesa, California, an independent comprehensive coed institution established in 1920 and affiliated with Assemblies of God.