University of La Verne

university of la verne accreditation

Flexible, Faith-Based Arts and Science Education at ULV

The University of La Verne appears in our ranking of 20 Great Colleges for Atheists and Agnostics.

Ranked 136th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, the University of La Verne is a private, coed Church of the Brethren CCCU member in Southern California that grants 54 undergrad and 32 graduate degrees, including 11 entirely online, at a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the Journalism BA crafts a 128-credit, four-year curriculum headed by Dr. George Keeler where undergrads can publish Campus Times, broadcast KWST-TV news, intern with iHeart Media, and present at the 909 Film Festival. Directed by Dr. Pat Taylor, the Educational Studies BA develops a 128-credit, CAEP-accredited sequence online or at nine centers for the Multiple Subjects Credential (Grades K-6) after field teaching placements like Roynon Elementary or Lone Hill Middle and CSET Exam preparation.

Online on Blackboard, the Leadership and Management MS plots three 33-credit, 12-month specializations overseen by Dr. Ibrahim Helou in Organizational Development, Human Resources, or Nonprofit Management for 93 percent job placement after hands-on capstone projects. Chaired by Dr. Megan Granquist, the Athletic Training MS starts a 55-credit, CAATE-accredited plan each August where post-grads gain NCAA Division III experience, train at Sara & Michael Abraham Center, and find clinical internships like PK Fitness for 100 percent Board of Certification Exam success.

Other La Verne degrees include the Anthropology BS, Chemistry BA, Educational Counseling MS, Finance MS, General Studies AA, Organizational Leadership EdD, Physics BA, Social Justice MA, and Studio Art BA.

About the University of La Verne

The University of La Verne originated in 1891 when German Church of the Brethren settlers opened Lordsburg College for peaceful, private higher education in the San Gabriel Valley. In 1917, it became La Verne College after its close-knit farming town was similarly renamed. In 1955, La Verne first received regional accreditation for bachelor’s degrees. One decade later, La Verne College introduced the earliest graduate programs. In 1969, accelerated adult education was launched for nontraditional students. The next Fall, the College of Law was established for a Juris Doctor. In 1977, the University of La Verne name was adopted by President Armen Sarafian. In 1981, the Irvine Campus became its first extension to reach Orange County. By 2013, the Green Building Council recognized La Verne’s first Gold LEED-certified building. In 2018, ULV broke ground to erect the $7 million Randall Lewis Center.

Endowed for $98.1 million, the University of La Verne now educates 6,929 full-time and 1,135 part-time Leopards from 35 countries online, on its 66-acre Los Angeles County campus, or at 10 extension locations with 65+ clubs like the Kinesiology Society for 85 percent retention. In 2019, ULV received the Inland Empire United Way’s Education Pioneer Award. In 2018, La Verne accepted a CASE District VI Bronze Circle of Excellence Award for Voice magazine. The University of La Verne won a 2003 SCIAC Distinguished Service Award too. Forbes named La Verne the 325th best private institution with the 203rd most research influence. On Niche, ULV boasts America’s 64th best criminal justice, 167th top sociology, and 260th best business degrees. WalletHub crowned La Verne the 268th best value and 80th safest campus. Washington Monthly declared ULV the 251st top master’s institution.

University of La Verne Accreditation Details

On June 15, 2012, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission took action to reaffirm the Level VI accreditation status at the University of La Verne through the upcoming 2020 evaluation visit under the 18th president, Dr. Devorah Lieberman, who earned the Washington Center’s Higher Education Civic Engagement Award. Located 395 miles up Interstate 5 in Alameda, this elite eight-territory Pacific Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and California Bureau for Private Post-Secondary Education (BPPE). The Academic Affairs Office also lists the following current accreditations:

  • American Bar Association Section of Legal Education
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
  • American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants

University of La Verne Application Requirements

Entering the University of La Verne is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since only 3,703 of the 7,276 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for selective 51 percent acceptance. First-year Leopards must finish all college-prep high school course prerequisites or the GED. The Class of 2022 had an average secondary GPA of 3.46. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 460-560 for reading and 470-570 for math. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 20-26. The Honors Program requires a minimum 3.5 GPA, 1300 SAT, or 29 ACT mark. Only transfers with 28+ semester credits like English Composition and GPAs over 2.7 are permitted. International students typically need at least 550 TOEFL, 6.5 IELTS, or 176 CAE scores. The Graduate Admission Office seeks accredited bachelor’s completion at GPAs of 2.5 and better. Some programs, such as the Marriage and Family Therapy MS, mandate 3.0 GPAs. Physician Assistant MS cohorts need 20 shadowing hours with licensed practitioners. The Clinical Psychology PsyD requires minimum 295 GRE scores with 3.5 on analytical writing.

The University of La Verne has a priority freshman deadline of February 1st. Prospective transfers can file until April 1st for Fall or December 1st for Spring enrollment. Most graduate programs accept entrants until one month before semester starts. However, the Doctor of Public Administration has a firm May 31st deadline. The Clinical Psychology PsyD closes on December 15th. Complete the ULV or Common Application online accordingly with the $50 ($75 if doctoral) non-refundable fee. Send sealed transcripts to 1950 Third Street in La Verne, CA 91750. Forward official test scores via SAT/GRE code 4381 or ACT code 0295. Attach supplemental items, such as the preliminary evaluation form, letter of recommendation(s), personal statement, resume, NACAC fee waiver, and digital ePortfolio. Contact (909) 593-3511 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, the University of La Verne is charging traditional full-time undergrads $22,275 each semester or $44,550 annually. The $160 ASULV fee and $395 insurance fee are included. Study abroad programs are $29,400 by term. Studying part-time incurs $1,260 per credit. On-campus summer sessions are $705 per credit. Living at the San Gabriel Valley housing like Oaks Hall adds $3,000 to $4,440 for semester rent. Standard 19-meal plans for Spot Dining Hall are $3,180 extra. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $61,696 on-site or $49,400 if commuting. Regional campus and online tuition is $645 per bachelor’s credit. Graduate programs are typically priced $845 per credit. Physician Assistant MS students spend $15,330 each trimester. The LaFetra College of Education bills $750 per post-grad credit. Doctoral candidates must pay $1,175 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid on Woody Hall’s 1st Floor links 76 percent of full-time ULV Leopards to tuition assistance averaging $18,193 apiece for $71.55 million combined. University funds include the Trustee’s Scholarship, Dean’s Graduate Scholarship, Director’s International Scholarship, Sean McDonald Endowed Scholarship, Paul Egly Scholarship, Ann Rahm Endowed Scholarship, Little Family Scholarship, New Teacher Initiative Scholarship, Esther Davis Scholarship, International Leo’s Scholarship, and Society for Justice Scholarship. The President’s Scholarship gifts $23,000 annually to exemplary freshmen meeting the 1240 SAT or 26 ACT minimum. The $25,000 Performance Scholarship has a January 10th deadline for admitted art majors with GPAs above 3.0. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001216. Golden State residents could also claim the Cal Grant, Transfer Entitlement Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Capture the Dream Scholarship, Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship, and more.

Search through four nonprofit colleges with 85+ value-added degrees placed 210th by Money magazine at the University of La Verne website.