California Lutheran University

The University

California Lutheran University is a selective, comprehensive institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields. Rooted in the Lutheran tradition, Cal Lutheran encourages critical inquiry into matters of faith and reason. Mentored by dedicated and accomplished faculty members, students pursue their passion and discover their purpose as they seek to grow as individuals. California Lutheran College was founded in 1959 on a ranch donated by Richard Pederson, the son of Norwegian immigrants. The college opened its doors to 330 students in September 1961 and held its first Commencement in May 1964.

Mission

The mission of the university is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.

Location

The 225-acre campus is located midway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, nestled against the hills in Thousand Oaks, just nine miles inland from Malibu and easily accessible from the Ventura 101 Freeway. Thousand Oaks, home to 128,000 people, is rated one of the safest cities of its size in America, according to FBI statistics.
Off-campus centers are conveniently located in Woodland Hills, Westlake Village, Oxnard and Santa Maria. Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is located in Berkeley.

Academic Programs

Cal Lutheran offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Management, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Psychology and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Thirty-six undergraduate majors and 34 minors are offered. The Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program offers degrees in seven majors. Graduate programs include doctorates in educational leadership, higher education leadership and clinical psychology, and master’s degrees in education, psychology, computer science, business administration, public policy and administration, information systems and technology, and economics. PLTS offers master’s degrees in divinity and theological studies; certificate programs in theological studies and theological education for emerging ministries; and Ph.D. and Th.D. programs through the Graduate Theological Union.

Affiliations and Accreditations

Cal Lutheran is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Graduate School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the university is authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to offer credentials. Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. Cal Lutheran is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, and the Council of Independent Colleges. Its program in Financial Planning has been registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. Cal Lutheran is one of 26 colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The university’s intercollegiate athletic programs compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III.