Pepperdine University

Accounting

An accounting major is available for students who plan to do graduate work in accounting or to enter the fields of public or private accounting. The Business Administration Division program is embedded in a college of arts, letters, and sciences and embraces a liberal arts education.

Advertising

The advertising major prepares students to think critically and analytically, make strategic choices, and come up with creative solutions to problems in the ever-changing field of advertising and brand communication. The major is grounded in the art of persuasive communication.

Applied Behavior Analysis

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (MSABA) is a 30-unit program designed to prepare students for careers in applied behavior analysis. The program provides the academic preparation required for becoming a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and is offered in on-campus and online formats.

Art

The visual arts are at the very core of humanity, and studio art majors create and exhibit a cohesive body of artwork that demonstrates technical proficiency, individual artistic expression, and socially relevant content. Seniors take part in a capstone Senior Thesis Exhibition.

Art History

Study of the visual arts prepares students for leadership in the global, connected, and dynamic world of the 21st century. To understand a work of art, the art historian must comprehend not only its formal qualities but also the political, social, and religious contexts in which it was created.

Biology (BA)

The biology program provides students with a choice between a strictly structured degree program in preparation for graduate or professional school in the life sciences and a liberal arts degree program that offers a broader choice of elective courses.

Biology (BS)

The bachelor of science in biology is a structured degree preparing students for graduate study and research in the biological sciences and for professional schools in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, and nursing.

Business Administration

A joint program of the Caruso School of Law and the Graziadio Business School allowing students to compress a five-year course of study into four years; together the programs comprise 129 units of study.

Business Administration

The business administration major provides students with a superior business and liberal arts education that prepares them for lives of ethical service and professional achievement. It builds skills in leadership, problem solving, management functions, oral and written expression, and creative and critical thinking.

Chemistry (BA)

The chemistry courses provide an understanding of the composition and nature of the physical universe, prepare graduates for employment in industry, and prepare students for graduate study and research in chemistry as well as professional schools.

Chemistry (BS)

The bachelor of science in chemistry provides a rigorous foundation in the composition and nature of the physical universe, preparing students for employment in industry, graduate study and research in chemistry, and admission to professional schools.

Clinical Psychology

The doctoral program in clinical psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association and awards the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree, exemplifying the practitioner-scholar model of professional training. The PsyD is a post-master's program consisting of three years of coursework and supervised clinical training, one year of internship, and completion of the clinical dissertation.

Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy

This program provides a strong master's-level foundation in the areas of clinical psychology, clinical counseling, and marriage and family therapy. The curriculum is designed to meet the academic requirements for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California, and is offered in daytime, evening/online, and Latinx communities formats.

Communication Studies

The student who majors in communication examines the role of verbal and nonverbal communication in human relationships. Because the process of communication is profoundly affected by contexts, modes, and media, the major requires a broad range of courses.

Computer Science

The bachelor of arts in computer science offers a comprehensive education in the principles and practices of computer science, including a rigorous curriculum with a strong focus on the implementation of algorithms, computer architecture, and ethics, culminating in a capstone project course.

Conflict Management

The Undergraduate Certificate in Conflict Management is a professional certification that provides academic education and training in alternative dispute resolution, combining academic understanding of theory with the practical skills of strategic negotiation, creative problem solving, and effective deal-making. It is open to students in all undergraduate Seaver majors.

Creative Writing

The creative writing major is primarily designed to prepare students for careers as professional writers of screen and television, the novel, poetry, and the short story. Students choose from fiction writing, poetry writing, or screen and television writing emphases.

Criminal Legal Practice

A certificate program designed to equip students with the educational and experiential tools necessary to effectively engage in criminal legal practice, requiring completion of the required courses plus 8 additional elective units.

Data Science

The bachelor of arts in data science covers the foundations of data analysis and artificial intelligence from both a theoretical and applied perspective. The required courses provide a strong foundation in mathematics, computer programming, and logical thinking skills.

Dispute Resolution

Developed by the Straus Institute to recognize students who complete prescribed coursework in dispute resolution; requires completion of the required courses (6 units) and four dispute resolution electives (8 units) for a total of 14 units (12 units for Pepperdine JD students).

Dispute Resolution

Students may concurrently earn a juris doctor and a master of dispute resolution; ten units from the JD program apply toward the 26 units necessary for the master's degree, allowing both degrees to be earned in three years.

Dispute Resolution and Public Policy

A joint effort between the Caruso School of Law's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and the School of Public Policy; students obtain both degrees by earning 20 units in dispute resolution and 38 units in public policy.

Dispute Resolution (LLM)

A general, practice-based track incorporating theory and experiential and clinic electives, with concentrations available in mediation, arbitration, or litigation. The 24-unit program consists of required courses (10 units) and 14 units of elective dispute resolution courses. Also offered as an online LLM in Dispute Resolution.

Dispute Resolution (Master of Dispute Resolution)

The 26-unit MDR program prepares graduate students and mid-career professionals from a wide variety of fields (law, business, public policy, education, ministry, medicine, and social science) to provide leadership in the resolution of conflict. Also offered online.

Divinity

The master of divinity degree is a three-year professional program designed to prepare recipients for various ministries in the church, and to provide the required educational experiences for those applying for DMin and PhD degrees. The curriculum provides insight into all the religious disciplines as a backdrop for varied ministries or later research programs.

Divinity

A program offered jointly by the Religion and Philosophy Division and the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law enables students to combine legal and theological training and to earn a law degree (JD) and a master of divinity degree (MDiv) within five years instead of the six years normally required to complete the two degrees independently. The JD and MDiv degrees are awarded separately by the respective schools.

Economics

The economics major is designed to give a foundation in economics to students interested in graduate work and in professional careers in business, law, and government.

Education

The Master of Science in Education is a 30-unit program with a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes value-centered and inclusive leadership, collaboration, and advanced learning theory and technology. The program has four concentrations and is offered fully online.

Education

The Doctor of Education (EdD) degree is the flagship program in the Education Division, offered to scholar-practitioners with specializations in change management, learning technologies, and PK-12 educational leadership. The program includes a core of 48 units of coursework plus 9 units of specialization and can be completed in as little as 33 months.

English

The English major, with its focus on writing and rhetoric, literary study and criticism, and digital humanities, provides students with facility in the spoken and written word and a more finely attuned moral and global awareness. Students may emphasize literature or writing and rhetoric.

Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law

The Certificate in Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law is a 12-14 unit program offered to those who possess or are in the process of completing a law degree, requiring foundational and upper-division EMS-related courses.

Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law

A 24-unit academic program in Entertainment, Media, and Sports Law offered to those who possess a US law degree or the foreign equivalent, requiring foundational and core EMS-related courses.

Entrepreneurship and the Law

Offered through the Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law, this 12-unit, two-year program equips law students to leverage their law degree in the field of entrepreneurship.

Entry Level Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader

The Entry Level Master's in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader (ELM-CNL) program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and allows the graduate to enter the nursing profession with a master of science in nursing degree. The first two years focus on prelicensure preparation so students may sit for the NCLEX-RN, and the third year focuses on graduate-level coursework in nursing leadership, qualifying graduates to sit for the CNL certification examination.

Film

The bachelor of arts in Film is an interdisciplinary, critical study of motion pictures. Students are grounded in the humanities as they examine the historical, cultural, societal, aesthetic, and spiritual nature of American and international films, with emphases in critical studies, production, or writing for screen and television.

Finance

A degree in finance focuses the student's emphasis on preparing for graduate studies in finance and careers in consulting, investment advising, regulation compliance, and banking. In addition to the mechanics of finance, the degree explores how finance can improve society.

French Studies

The French Studies major provides students with opportunities for in-depth study of Francophone cultures and ever-increasing proficiency in language and intercultural skills, analyzing Francophone societies and cultures, history, literature, and topics in linguistics.

Global Leadership and Change

The Doctor of Philosophy in Global Leadership and Change is a PhD program with emphasis on leadership theory within local and global organizations. The program prepares students to shape innovative directions in research and practice and prepares them for careers in nonprofit, government, for-profit, and academic institutions.

Hispanic Studies

The Hispanic Studies major provides students with opportunities for in-depth study of Hispanic culture and the perfection of language skills, analyzing Hispanic culture, history, literature, and society.

History

The history major is designed to help students develop an understanding of the complex factors that have produced the civilization of the present century. It offers a valuable background for careers including government service, law, education, library work, business, and journalism.

Integrated Marketing Communication

This interdisciplinary major is designed to give practical preparation in the field of modern integrated marketing communication. It requires grounding in the fundamentals of business, principles of effective mass communication, corporate image, branding, advertising, public reputation communication, and public relations practices.

International and Comparative Law

Offers students exposure to different facets of international law and international living; requires participation in an approved overseas program or international externship plus 14 units of required and elective courses.

International Business

An international business major is available for students who are specifically interested in global business careers. As an integral part of the degree, students complete at least eight units in a Pepperdine International Program abroad.

International Commercial Arbitration

Available on a full-time basis, this practice-based program requires theory courses and a mock arbitration experience. The 24-unit program requires completion of the required courses (14-18 units) plus 6 units of elective courses.

International Studies

International Studies is a multidisciplinary program that merges language skills with substantive training in international political economy and intercultural studies with an opportunity to gain regional expertise. The major is designed for students who may enter fields such as diplomacy, government service, NGOs, and international humanitarian service.

Italian Studies

The Italian Studies major provides students with opportunities for in-depth study of Italian culture and ever-increasing proficiency in language and intercultural skills, analyzing Italian culture, history, literature, and society.

Journalism

The journalism major prepares students both theoretically and practically for careers in journalism across media including print and electronic text, television, and the internet. It gives students a broad interdisciplinary introduction to media theory and research plus laboratory production opportunities in student media.

Law

The juris doctor is the Caruso School of Law's professional law degree, an 88-unit, six-term program approved by the American Bar Association.

Legal Studies

The MLS is a 26-unit online program that includes required courses, elective courses, and residency courses; students select either a general track or a concentration for their electives.

Legal Studies and Dispute Resolution

The dual online masters degree allows students to earn both the online Master of Legal Studies and online Master of Dispute Resolution by earning a total of 46 units, of which 20 are required courses and 26 are elective credits.

Liberal Studies for Education

The liberal studies for education major is a cross-disciplinary academic degree for students interested in pursuing a multiple subject (elementary) teaching credential. The major provides a background in language, fine arts, mathematics, human development, science, and history/social science.

Mathematics

The bachelor of science in mathematics prepares the mathematics major for employment in industry, teaching, or admission to graduate school, and provides an understanding of modern mathematics as a dynamic and creative field with applications in business and the physical, biological, and social sciences.

Mathematics Education

The bachelor of arts in mathematics education prepares students for a California teaching credential, combining lower- and upper-division mathematics coursework with required teacher education courses. Mathematics courses develop skill in logical thinking and an understanding of mathematics as a dynamic, creative field.

Ministry (Master of Science)

The master of science in ministry prepares students for various church ministries. The curriculum designates specific courses, yet is broad enough to provide the basic insights necessary for participation in the thought and life of modern churches. The MS is suitable for those who have a limited time for graduate study, or for persons who anticipate another profession but who wish basic training for ministry.

Ministry (Master of Science with Certification in Dispute Resolution)

A program offered jointly by the Religion and Philosophy Division and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law enables students to earn both an MS in Ministry and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution with only four additional units beyond what is necessary to complete the two programs independently.

Music

The music curriculum is designed to enhance and expand the student's musical ability, with theoretical and historical studies utilized by the student studying applied music and participating in performing organizations. Students may choose emphases leading to careers in performance, composition, teaching, and other music-related professions.

Natural Science

The BA in natural science is designed for students who wish to participate in the dual-degree 3/2 Engineering Program. Students complete three years at Pepperdine and then transfer to a partner engineering university, receiving a BA from Pepperdine and a bachelor's degree in engineering from the other school.

Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed to develop highly skilled, compassionate, and caring nurse leaders who will positively influence the nursing profession, transform healthcare systems, and impact communities locally and worldwide. The BSN program offers both two- and four-year pathways for students, with a strong clinical emphasis requiring over 750 hours of coursework training and direct patient care across five specialty areas.

Nutritional Science

The Nutritional Science Certificate Program is a post-baccalaureate program that provides students with the supervised practice experience needed to fulfill the competencies for registered dietitians established by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Upon completion, a Certificate of Completion is offered allowing eligibility to take the registration examination for registered dietitians.

Nutritional Science

The nutritional science program provides students with a comprehensive and practical approach to the field of nutrition, including an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) approved Didactic Program in Dietetics that prepares students for the dietetic internship, and an appreciation for the relationship between diet and health and disease.

Nutrition and Health Science

Offered through a Coordinated Bachelor of Science/Master of Science and Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) designed to meet the academic and supervised practice requirements of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Organizational Leadership

The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (OLED) program is designed to develop individuals who seek advanced knowledge in the theory and practice of leadership to take on leadership roles in a variety of settings. There are three specializations available: change management, PK-12, and learning technologies, offered in a Global Access Format with hybrid delivery.

Pepperdine Global Fellows Program

The Pepperdine Global Fellows Program is designed to produce leaders with the global knowledge, skills, and character to confront the world's most pressing problems, offering a required package of multidisciplinary courses, a long-term overseas experience, an internationally focused internship in Washington, DC, and career mentoring. Like a minor, it is designed to accompany most majors.

Philosophy

The philosophy major is designed to offer students a broad education in historical and contemporary philosophical explorations of human experience, including the nature of knowledge and reality, the theoretical foundations of morality and ethics, and the distinction between cogent and fallacious reasoning.

Physics

The physics courses provide an understanding of the laws and nature of the physical universe and prepare physics majors for admission to graduate or professional school, employment in business and industry, or employment as teachers. The degree requires 47 units in physics and 16 units from supporting disciplines.

Political Science

Political science studies the world of governments and the governing process, seeking an in-depth understanding of the political world rooted in careful analysis and critical thinking. The major is designed for students interested in public service and administration, politics, diplomacy, public relations, law, or business, or graduate study.

Psychology

The Master of Arts in Psychology program is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the principles of psychology within the framework of a strong clinical emphasis. The program requires 36-48 units depending upon previous coursework and is offered in on-campus and online formats.

Psychology

The psychology major is designed for students who plan careers as professional psychologists, regard psychology as a liberal arts foundation for subsequent training in other professions, and are interested in understanding human behavior. The major is designed to give adequate preparation for graduate study.

Public Policy

A joint program between the School of Public Policy and the Caruso School of Law; the four-year program requires a total of 116 units, comprising 78 units of law courses and 38 units of the public policy curriculum.

Public Relations

The public relations major is designed to give both theoretical and practical preparation for a career in the field, teaching students to write, plan, and build relationships between organizations and the public. Coursework combines mass communication, digital media, writing, speech, persuasion, management, strategy, and campaign work.

Religion

Specializations for the master of arts are offered in Old Testament, New Testament, Christian history, Christian thought, and practical theology/ministry. This degree is designed for those who wish to pursue doctoral degrees or who seek teaching positions.

Religion

The religion major requires core courses fundamental to understanding religious studies, as well as choices that enable a degree of specialization. It provides a broad, liberal arts degree preparing students for graduate work and careers in law, journalism, business, counseling, government, and public service.

Screen and Television Writing

The two-year MFA program in screen and television writing trains students for a vocation as screen and television writers and prepares them to become cultural leaders in television and film. Courses focus on the storyteller in conversation with contemporary culture through the lens of ethics, philosophy, film studies, and religion.

Screen Arts

The Screen Arts degree is a comprehensive production degree for those interested in bringing stories to any screen. Students are prepared for careers through courses focused on preproduction, production, and postproduction, and participate in an industry internship and a capstone screen story project.

Social Entrepreneurship and Change

A degree for professionals who wish to address major social problems such as inadequate education and health systems, entrenched poverty, environmental threats, and high crime rates through innovative, market-based ideas that advance solutions. This 34-unit program emphasizes transformative innovation to tackle tough problems in a systemic way through analysis of strategies and organizational characteristics.

Sociology

Sociology is the study of human societies and of human behavior and interactions in social settings. The sociology major is designed for individuals who plan a profession in sociology, are interested in careers where sociology training is beneficial, or wish to complement other courses of study.

Speech-Language Pathology

The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the principles of speech-language pathology within the framework of a strong clinical emphasis. Courses present various aspects of the art and science of speech-language pathology as it is applied to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of communicative disorders.

Sport Administration

This interdisciplinary major is designed to provide practical preparation in the field of sport administration. The field requires an understanding of essential communication and business principles necessary to effectively administer operations within the sport industry.

Sports Medicine (BA)

The sports medicine course offerings provide students with a broad knowledge of the exercise sciences and a foundation for understanding the role of science in exercise and health promotion, preparing students for graduate study and for entry into professional schools associated with medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, and dentistry.

Sports Medicine (BS)

The bachelor of science in sports medicine provides a broad knowledge of the exercise sciences with additional chemistry and mathematics coursework, preparing students for graduate study and research in the exercise sciences and for professional schools in medicine, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, and dentistry.

Sustainability

The sustainability major provides students an interdisciplinary approach to studying how to lower our environmental impact while simultaneously elevating the standard of living for all of God's creation. The curriculum addresses scientific, policy, ethical, and communication challenges associated with food security, energy, climate change, and access to clean water.

Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching program enables candidates to pursue coursework for a master's degree in conjunction with a teaching credential. The 30-unit program reflects State Senate Bill 2042 that grants a California multiple subject or single subject preliminary credential, and is offered in both in-person and fully online formats.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

The TESOL program enables candidates to pursue a study of the teaching of English as an additional language from preschool through university. This full-time, technology-infused residency program includes 30 required units, with optional 6-unit specializations, offered as a cohort model for completion within one academic year.

Theatre and Screen Arts

Students may receive a bachelor of arts degree combining theatre with screen arts. There is a required audition and interview process for admittance into the major.

Theatre Arts

The theatre arts major prepares an individual for work in both graduate programs and professional theatre, and also lays a foundation for teaching theatre at the secondary school level. Students complete core requirements plus a sequence in acting, musical theatre, directing, or production/design.

United States Law

Designed for international legal professionals seeking to study US law under internationally recognized scholars. This 24-unit program consists of 4 units of required courses and 20 units of electives, including classes as required for state bar exams.