California Lutheran University: Prepared for Academic Excellence
California Lutheran University was founded in 1959 on a 225-acre area of farmland in Thousand Oaks, California. Located halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the land was donated by the Pederson family, one of many families of Scandinavian descent residing in the hills around Thousand Oaks. Ever since the school first opened in 1961, the institution has maintained strong ties to its Scandinavian heritage. In addition to an annual cultural festival featuring a variety of Scandinavian arts and crafts (as well as those of other cultures), many of the streets and campus buildings have also been named after important Scandinavians who were influential in the institution's founding.
Initially named California Lutheran College, the institution gained full status as a university in 1986. Before opening its doors to students in 1961, the school elected Dr. Orville Dahl as its first president. Dr. Dahl was instrumental in setting the framework by which the institution adheres to this very day. Along with establishing a solid curriculum for the student body, Dr. Dahl worked with architect Jefferson A. Elmendorf to design and construct all of the original buildings for the CLU campus.
California Lutheran represents one of 28 colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its total enrollment has now grown to over 3,200 students, more than 35 percent of whom take classes at the graduate or doctoral levels. The school has also gained official accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
As a private, four-year university, California Lutheran now offers 36 majors, 28 minors and professional preparation programs in specific areas of study. The institution also offers master's degrees in business administration, education, public policy and administration, computer science and psychology. Plus, since 2002, the School of Education has offered a doctoral program in educational leadership. Many students unable to commit to the traditional, four-year program are now able to pursue their degrees through either online coursework or the university's Adult Degree Evening Program (ADEP).
California Lutheran University strives to promote equal opportunities for its students. Its mission is a commitment to academics, its Lutheran heritage and the promise of educating men and women from around the world in an effort to produce intelligent, globally conscious, societal leaders. If you would like to learn more about California Lutheran University, please visit us on campus or on the Web (www.callutheran.edu). We would be delighted to show you around our wonderful school and welcome you to our family!