Facts at a Glance
Founded in 1959, California Lutheran University is a private liberal arts institution based in Thousand Oaks, California.
Designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, Cal Lutheran attracts students to its undergraduate and graduate programs from across the nation and around the world with diverse backgrounds, cultures and faiths.
Total Students
Employed or in Grad School
Student-Faculty Ratio
Majors Offered
Active Student Clubs & Organizations
Countries Represented
Alumni
Mission Statement
The mission of the university is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice.Enrollment
TOTAL
Undergraduate
GRADUATE
Students come from 40 states and 59 countries and represent a diversity of faiths and cultures. Of traditional undergraduate students, 48% live on campus. The average class size for all programs is 14.
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 authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to offer credentials.
- The Graduate School of Psychology's Doctor of Clinical Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
- The School of Management is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Its program in Financial Planning has been registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc.
- Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting
of the Association of Theological Schools.
Learn more about our accreditation
Affiliations
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
- Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
- Council of Independent Colleges
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III
- Hispanic-Serving Institution designation by the U.S. Department of Education
Programs
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, School for Professional and Continuing Studies and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
There are 46 majors and 49 minors offered in the traditional undergraduate program.
The Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program offers degrees in six majors. Graduate
programs include doctorates in educational leadership, higher education leadership,
clinical psychology and theology; and master’s degrees in education, psychology, business,
economics, information technology, public policy and administration, and divinity.
Learn more about our programs
Athletic Programs
Cal Lutheran’s intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and the NCAA Division III.
Men’s teams compete in baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer,
swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo. Women’s teams
compete in basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and
diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo. Junior varsity teams compete
in men’s and women’s basketball, men's and women’s soccer, baseball and women's volleyball.
Go to CLUsports.com
Leadership
Administrative Leadership
- Interim President: John Nunes, PhD
- Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs: Leanne Neilson, PsyD
- Vice President for University Advancement: Regina Biddings-Muro, EdD
- Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students: Melinda Roper, EdD
- Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success: Matthew Ward, PhD
- Vice President for Administration and Finance: Rick Ysasi
Academic Leadership
- Dean of the School of Management: Gerhard Apfelthaler, PhD
- Dean of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies: Lisa Buono, EdD
- Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: Timothy C. Hengst, MA
- Dean of the Graduate School of Education: Michael Hillis, PhD
- Dean of the Graduate School of Psychology: Rick Holigrocki, PhD
- Dean of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary: The Rev. Alicia Vargas, PhD
- Chair of the Faculty Senate: Michael Hart, DMA
Personnel
247
Part-Time Faculty
182
Full-Time* Faculty
93
Part-Time Staff/Admin
362
Full-Time Staff/Admin
*88% of full-time faculty have earned their doctorate or terminal degree
Values
- Grateful — We honor with deep gratitude the gifts of this university and the land on which it stands.
- Inclusive — We celebrate diversity and actively foster a welcoming environment for everyone.
- Curious — We pursue knowledge thoughtfully, recognizing the importance of how we ask questions and share what we learn.
- Generous — We support one another, cultivating our talents for the community's benefit while appreciating the contributions of others.
- Neighbor-oriented — We give our attention to those around us, understanding that our education and work extend beyond ourselves.
History
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.
Milestones
- 2016 — Designated Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Dept. of Education
- 2014 — Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary welcomed
- 2006 — First doctoral degrees granted
- 1994 — KCLU Radio launched as a community service
- 1986 — Renamed California Lutheran University
- 1972 — First master’s degrees granted
- 1964 — First class graduates
- 1961 — First students arrive
- 1959 — California Lutheran College founded
Presidents
- 2024-Present — John A. Nunes, PhD
- 2020-2024 — Lori E. Varlotta, PhD
- 2008-2020 — Chris Kimball, PhD
- 2006-2007 — John R. Sladek, PhD
- 1992-2006 — Luther S. Luedtke, PhD
- 1981-1992 — Jerry Miller, DD
- 1972-1980 — Mark Mathews, DBA
- 1963-1971 — Raymond Olson, DD
- 1959-1962 — Orville Dahl, EdD
Visiting Campus
Location
Cal Lutheran's Thousand Oaks campus, between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, is complemented by satellite centers in Oxnard, Santa Maria and Westlake Village, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California.
Parking
Parking is free throughout campus. Visitor parking is available in the parking lots on Mountclef Boulevard north and south of Olsen Road. Street parking is by permit only, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2700
- Undergraduate Admission: admissions@CalLutheran.edu
- Graduate Admission: clugrad@CalLutheran.edu
- Alumni & Family Relations: alumni@CalLutheran.edu
- Web Support: web@CalLutheran.edu
Phone
- Undergraduate Admission:
805-493-3135, Fax: 805-493-3645 - Graduate Admission:
805-493-3325