La Sierra University: Courses, Admission, Cost

In 1922, the Southeastern California Conference obtained 300 acres of land. They were one of the regional governing bodies of the Adventist Church. The land was a part of a Mexican land grant, which was known as Rancho La Sierra. That is from where the university adopted the name. It opened in 1922 as La Sierra Academy. In 1927, it was called La Sierra Academy and Normal School. However, towards the end of the year, it changed to Southern California Junior College with the expansion of courses that were offered. After being renamed to La Sierra College, the university merged with Loma Linda University in 1967. It had then become the College of Arts and Sciences for the Loma Linda University. The School of Education, Continuing Studies, and Business and Management were formed during this time. In 1990, the La Sierra campus came to be known as the La Sierra University.

The campus of the university is located in the neighbourhood of La Sierra. It covers an area of 150 acres and is near the Riverside city. La Sierra University is a part of the American Public Gardens Association. This association has deemed the university campus an arboretum. An arboretum is a botanical collection comprising trees. Initially, buildings on the campus were segregated into female and male dormitories. In the fall of the year 2006, La Sierra opened a science complex worth $23 million. It has departments of computer science, mathematics, and biology. At the base of Mount Two-Bit, behind the campus of La Sierra, the Frances E. Barnard Memorial Observatory is situated. One of the telescopes is still mounted on the concrete pier that is inside the building.

The university offers about 50 undergraduate degrees and 23 pre-professional programs. Undergrad degrees are offered in Archaeology, Accounting, Art, Biblical Languages, Biology, Biomathematics, Biophysics, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Drama, Creative Writing, Exercise Science, Film and Television Production, Finance, Fine Art, Global Studies, Graphic Design, Health Science, History, Liberal Studies, Management, Marketing, Music, Philosophical Studies, Psychology, Sociology, World Languages, and Religious Studies. Some of the pre-professional programs are Pre-Engineering, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dental Hygiene, Medical Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, and Pre-Law.

Graduate programs are divided amongst School of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, H.M.S. Divinity School, and Tom and VI Zapara School of Business. The School of Education provides courses in Administration and Leadership, Teaching, Neuroscience and Education, TESOL, Counseling, Educational Psychology, and School Psychology. H.M.S. Divinity School offers courses in Divinity, Theological Studies, Religion, Near Eastern Archaeology, and Ministry. The School of Business provides courses in Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Health Care Management, and Executive Education Cohort Programs. The university also provides Honors programs, University studies, English as a Second Language, Evening Adult Degree Program, Summer Programs, Online Programs, and Service Learning.

Notable alumni of La Sierra University include theologian Fritz Guy, California State Assemblyman Bill Emerson, American poet Hope Anita Smith, Political leader David Pendleton, American scholar and Cahuilla people leader Katherine Siva Saubel, Cecelia Ann Shepard, American child actor Darwood Kaye, Steve Wohlberg, American Chauncey Hare, author Rene Noorbergen, Musical composer Wayne Hooper, American Contralto Del Delker, and Ellen G. White Estate director James R. Nix.