Frequently Asked Questions about Cal Lutheran

Cal Lutheran's main campus is in Thousand Oaks, California.

If you're studying online, you don't need to live near a campus. Most of our online programs are open to students across California and a number of other states. Online students are always welcome at campus events.

If you want to confirm whether our online programs are available in your state, an enrollment specialist can check that for your specific program. Complete this form to request a call.

You can see a list of our online degree options here.

Classes at Cal Lutheran stay small on purpose. The class sizes across our programs generally range from 10 to 20 students, well below what you'd see at a bigger university.

That size shapes how the classes actually run. Professors lead discussions and focus on application instead of just lecturing, students work through projects together, and your instructor learns your name, your background and what you're trying to do after graduation. When you need a reference, a mentor or an introduction to someone in their network, that relationship is already there.

Yes. Most of our programs are built around students who already have full lives outside school, with jobs, families, commutes and everything else that comes with adulthood.

Classes typically meet in the evening, either online or on campus, and the workload is structured so you can fit coursework around your schedule. Class sizes stay small, which means your professors actually know your name and your situation. If something comes up at work or at home, you have someone to talk to.

A degree completion program is a bachelor's degree built for people who already have college credit. Instead of starting over, you transfer in the courses you've already earned and finish from there. For anyone who has always meant to finish what they started, it's the most direct way back.

Cal Lutheran’s degree completion program is called Bachelor's Degree for Professionals. Every student in this program transfers in at least 24 credit hours from previous accredited associate or undergraduate coursework. Many students bring even more credits.

If you’re interested in learning more about completing your degree with us, you can:

• See the degree options in the Bachelor's Degree for Professionals
• Read our advice for returning to school as an adult learner
• Find out more about applying to these degrees, including info on credit transfers

Bachelor's Degree for Professionals

For our undergraduate degree completion programs, transfer credits are part of how the Bachelor's Degree for Professionals is designed to work. Every student brings at least 24 credit hours from a previous accredited program, and most students transfer in substantially more.

We accept credits from regionally accredited two-year and four-year institutions, as well as some credit for military training.

The exact number of credits that will transfer depends on the coursework you've already completed and the program you're applying to. The fastest way to get an answer based on your own situation is to talk to an enrollment specialist: complete this form to request a call.

Graduate Programs (School of Management and Graduate School of Education)

Students may petition to transfer up to 6 credits of graduate course work taken at other colleges and universities with institutional accreditation from regional accrediting bodies as defined by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to their program at Cal Lutheran.

The transfer credits must meet certain qualifications, and those requirements are found on our graduate policies page. You can also talk with an enrollment specialist: complete this form to request a call.

Yes, Cal Lutheran offers a variety of funding options from internal and external sources. These include:

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Credit reductions
• Veterans benefits
• Employer discounts

Visit our tuition and financial aid page for detailed information. You can also talk with an enrollment specialist about funding your education. Complete this form to request a call.

Support starts before you enroll and continues after you graduate.

First, you have access to an enrollment specialist who is here to answer your questions and provide info based on your unique situation and goals. To get started, complete this form to request a call.

Once you're admitted to Cal Lutheran, you're matched with an academic advisor (undergraduate) or a student services assistant (graduate) who works with you throughout your degree program. They help you plan your courses, work through any scheduling issues and stay on track to graduate.

Faculty are part of this network too. Most are working professionals in their field, and many become mentors who stay in touch with students long after a class ends.

Beyond academic advising, students have access to:

• Career Services, including career counseling, interview prep and a job board with over 200 weekly listings
• Financial aid counseling for scholarships, grants and outside funding
• Veterans Resource Office services for active-duty, veteran and military family students
• The Writing Center, a collaborative space where peers work together to strengthen writing skills and make learning more meaningful
• Mental health resources that provide compassionate listening, validation and strategies to support you across life domains

These are just some of the many ways that we support our students. You can see even more on our student support services page.

Cal Lutheran MBA students have access to our university-wide Career Services office, which includes career counseling, workshops, interview prep and a job and internship board with over 200 weekly listings from a network of 20,000-plus employer contacts. These resources are available to current students and stay open to alumni.

We are also home to the Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which is dedicated to supporting current and future entrepreneurs.

Many of our schools also have industry-specific career resources and events:

• Our School of Management (SOM) runs networking programs, including an Entrepreneur Speaker Series, a New Venture Fair, a PRiME Competition, field trips and many other activities. See what events are coming up on our SOM events page.
• The Graduate School of Education has a dedicated Credential Office that's made to assist candidates and alumni with the technical, sometimes complicated world of certification.

We have a dedicated Veterans Resource Office that works with active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, National Guard members and military family members from the application stage through graduation.

We also accept a range of military benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can cover up to 100% of tuition for those who qualify. We also accept credit for approved military training and offer a tuition discount for active-duty service members in some programs.

Beyond benefits, the Veterans Resource Office connects students to a community of fellow veterans on campus and helps with the parts of the transition that aren't always covered elsewhere, from career planning to mental health resources.

We encourage you to email the Veterans Resource Office at veterans@CalLutheran.edu or call 805-493-3648 if you have specific questions.

You can also follow our Cal Lutheran Facebook page for more information and updates.

Cal Lutheran being designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) signifies that we meet specific criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education, primarily that at least 25% of our full-time undergraduate student population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Being an HSI reflects Cal Lutheran's broader commitment to diversity and community engagement.

We offer a wide range of resources and opportunities, including scholarships, mentorship programs and courses that celebrate Hispanic cultures and heritage. We believe in creating a supportive space where students from all backgrounds can thrive and make lasting connections.