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.

3,351

Total Students

96%

Employed or in Grad School

14:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

44

Majors Offered

70+

Active Student Clubs & Organizations

67

Countries Represented

37,000

Alumni

 Related Links

Enrollment 

3,351

TOTAL

2,297

Undergraduate

1,054

GRADUATE

Students come from 40 states and 67 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

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 44 majors and 46 minors offered in the traditional undergraduate program. Our most popular majors are business administration, psychology, biology, exercise science, and criminology and criminal justice. The Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals program offers six majors with in-person and online delivery options. 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

President and CEO

John A. Nunes, PhD

Academic Leadership

  • Dean of the School of Management: Gerhard Apfelthaler, PhD
  • Dean of the Graduate School of Education: Michael Hillis, PhD
  • Dean of the Graduate School of Psychology: Rick Holigrocki, PhD
  • Dean of the School for Professional and Continuing Studies: Lisa Buono, EdD
  • Chair of the Faculty Senate: Sharon Docter, PhD

Administrative Leadership/Cabinet

  • Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs: Leanne Neilson, PsyD
  • Vice President for University Advancement: Regina Biddings-Muro, EdD
  • Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance: Brian Fahnestock
  • Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students: Melinda Roper, EdD
  • General Counsel: Marvin E. Richards, Jr., JD
  • Associate Vice President for Mission and Identity: Colleen Windham-Hughes, PhD, MDiv
  • Executive Partner, Strategic Planning & Business Development: Laureen Hill, MD, MBA

Personnel 

247

Part-Time Faculty

174

Full-Time* Faculty

98

Part-Time Staff/Admin

370

Full-Time Staff/Admin

*88% of full-time faculty have earned their doctorate or terminal degree 

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.

View all locations

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.

See campus map

Contact Information

Mailing Address

California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2700

Email

Phone

  • Undergraduate Admission:
    805-493-3135, Fax: 805-493-3645
  • Graduate Admission:
    805-493-3325 
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