
60 West Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2787, USA


California Lutheran University was founded in the early 1950s through the efforts of local community leaders and members of Lutheran Church organizations seeking to establish a higher education institution in Southern California. The university officially opened its doors in 1961, beginning with a modest enrollment and a focus on liberal arts education. Throughout its development, the institution steadily expanded both its academic offerings and campus facilities to accommodate a growing student population.
Significant milestones in the university's history include the establishment of various undergraduate and graduate programs, which broadened its appeal to diverse fields of study. The growth was supported by an emphasis on integrating practical learning experiences with scholarly pursuits, aiming to prepare students for professional success. Over the decades, the university also enhanced its infrastructure, adding modern classrooms, libraries, and recreational amenities to create a comprehensive educational environment.
While maintaining its foundational commitment to quality education, the university evolved to meet changing academic and societal demands. This adaptability has contributed to its reputation as a respected institution dedicated to fostering both intellectual growth and community engagement among students.
California Lutheran University offers a diverse range of academic faculties and departments designed to meet the needs of prospective students with varied interests and career aspirations. The university's academic structure supports a comprehensive liberal arts education alongside professional and specialized programs.
Students can explore studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, which encompasses traditional disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. This broad framework allows for interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities, encouraging students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills essential for many career paths.
In addition, the university features a School of Management that prepares students for business-oriented careers. This school focuses on developing leadership, management, and entrepreneurial abilities, offering programs that emphasize practical and theoretical knowledge relevant to today's dynamic business environment.
The Department of Education prepares students for roles in teaching and educational leadership. It provides a curriculum that integrates foundational educational theory with hands-on experience, helping future educators meet the diverse needs of learners in various settings.
California Lutheran University further supports students interested in health professions through its programs in the health sciences, which emphasize both scientific understanding and clinical practice. This combination equips students with the competencies required for careers in healthcare and related fields.
Creative disciplines are also well represented, including programs in communications, visual and performing arts, which nurture artistic expression and technical expertise. The combination of practice and theory in these departments fosters innovation and cultural awareness.
Overall, the faculties and departments at California Lutheran University provide a balance of liberal arts education and professional preparation, offering prospective students a range of options to align with their academic goals and career plans.
California Lutheran University is situated at 60 West Olsen Road in Thousand Oaks, California, within the 91360-2787 postal area. This location places the university in the western region of Thousand Oaks, offering students access to the neighboring community and its amenities.
Thousand Oaks is a suburban city known for its residential neighborhoods and proximity to major Southern California destinations. Students benefit from a setting that balances academic life with recreational opportunities, set in a city that serves as a gateway to larger urban centers.
The university's location is also relatively convenient for travelers, being accessible from Los Angeles International Airport, which supports ease of travel for students coming from other states or countries. Prospective students can consider this accessibility when planning visits or coordinating travel logistics for their studies.
California Lutheran University's mission centers on providing a rigorous, comprehensive education that fosters intellectual growth, ethical leadership, and civic responsibility among its students. The university emphasizes a commitment to academic excellence paired with a supportive learning environment that encourages critical thinking and personal development.
The vision of California Lutheran University highlights preparing students to engage thoughtfully and effectively in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It strives to cultivate graduates who are not only knowledgeable in their fields but also equipped with the moral and social awareness necessary to contribute meaningfully to society.
The institution aims to balance liberal arts traditions with professional preparation, ensuring students gain both broad perspectives and practical skills. This approach reflects an emphasis on nurturing well-rounded individuals ready to meet diverse challenges in their careers and communities.
Overall, California Lutheran University positions itself as a place where academic rigor and principled leadership combine to develop students capable of lifelong learning and impactful action.
Name of the institution
California Lutheran UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1959
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Certificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - other
Other degreeDegrees
Accounting and Related Services
$62,706Agricultural Engineering
Data not availableBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Data not availableBiology, General
$26,541Business Administration, Management and Operations
$43,707Chemistry
Data not availableClinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Data not availableCommunication and Media Studies
$31,193Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
$38,687Computer Science
$63,247Criminal Justice and Corrections
$42,541Criminology
Data not availableDrama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Data not availableEconomics
Data not availableEnglish Language and Literature, General
Data not availableFilm/Video and Photographic Arts
Data not availableFine and Studio Arts
Data not availableGeological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
Data not availableGermanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Data not availableHealth and Physical Education/Fitness
$20,692History
Data not availableInformation Science/Studies
Data not availableInternational Relations and National Security Studies
Data not availableLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$21,814Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
$69,402Mathematics
Data not availableMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Data not availableMusic
$18,859Natural Resources Conservation and Research
Data not availablePharmacology and Toxicology
Data not availablePhilosophy
Data not availablePhysics
Data not availablePolitical Science and Government
Data not availablePsychology, General
$28,005Religion/Religious Studies
Data not availableRomance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Data not availableSociology
Data not availableTheological and Ministerial Studies
Data not available