La Sierra University

What is the history of La Sierra University?

La Sierra University began in 1922 as La Sierra Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist school in Riverside, California. It developed into La Sierra College and later operated as a campus of Loma Linda University before becoming an independent university in 1990.

That history helps explain the institution today: La Sierra combines undergraduate and graduate study with an Adventist educational tradition. Applicants comparing older records should note that references to La Sierra College or the La Sierra campus of Loma Linda University may describe earlier stages of the same institution, not its present organizational status.

What are the faculties and departments at La Sierra University?

La Sierra University organizes its academic programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, the Tom & Vi Zapara School of Business, the School of Education, and the H.M.S. Richards Divinity School. It offers undergraduate and graduate study rather than focusing on a single professional field.

Students can explore subjects such as biology, computer science, psychology, communication, music, business, education, and religion. Some paths, especially teacher preparation and health-related careers, involve requirements beyond choosing a major. Applicants should check the current academic catalog for the exact degree, prerequisite courses, and any separate admission or professional-licensure requirements.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 11 to 1. That institution-wide measure can help describe the school's scale, but it does not establish the size or availability of a particular course.

What is the location of La Sierra University?

La Sierra University is in Riverside, California, in the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles. Its campus is at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, and students should distinguish it from other Adventist institutions and from campuses that were historically part of Loma Linda University.

The location gives students access to the Riverside area while making transportation planning important. A substantial share of students commute, so applicants should consider travel time, parking, and the schedule of required classes or activities. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. Ontario International Airport is a regional air-travel option.

What is the mission and vision of La Sierra University?

La Sierra University describes its educational purpose in terms of learning, service, and spiritual development within the Seventh-day Adventist tradition. Its religious affiliation is part of the institution's identity, not a claim that every student holds the same beliefs.

Prospective students can expect that Adventist values may shape campus programming and aspects of the academic experience, particularly religion and service activities. Students for whom faith practices or religious coursework are deciding factors should review the current catalog and student policies for the requirements attached to their intended degree.