University of La Verne


The University of La Verne is a private university in La Verne, California. Founded in 1891, the university is composed of the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business & Public Management, the LaFetra College of Education, College of Law, and a Regional Campus Administration that oversees seven regional campuses. It awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many of their classes are taught at smaller campuses throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

History

The University of La Verne was founded in 1891 as Lordsburg College by members of the Church of the Brethren, a German Christian sect originating from the Schwarzenau Brethren. In 1917, the surrounding agricultural community of Lordsburg renamed itself La Verne; the College followed suit shortly thereafter. La Verne College reorganized in 1977 as the University of La Verne; since then, the University has grown to consist of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Public Management, the LaFetra College of Education, the College of Law, and multiple regional campuses.
La Verne conferred its first master's degree in 1965 and began an adult education program in 1969; it awarded its first doctorate in 1979. In 1981, the University founded a campus in Orange County and has since opened locations throughout the area, including Vandenberg AFB and Pt. Mugu. Despite its Church of the Brethren heritage, the University describes itself as non-sectarian.
Historically, the Brethren are considered one of the "peace churches", like the Quakers and the Mennonites, and slots on the Board of Trustees are still held for members of the Brethren. The baccalaureate ceremony is held at the local Church of the Brethren, and the holder of the post of campus minister must be a member of the Church of the Brethren.

Academics

La Verne Online offers select programs through online coursework and some programs offer student choice on whether to take a class on campus or online.

Accreditation and memberships

The University of La Verne is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Several programs are accredited or approved by discipline-specific organizations:
Military memberships include:
The Elvin and Betty Wilson Library—La Verne's main library—contains over 193,000 volumes and access to over 70 academic databases.

College of Law

The University of La Verne College of Law was founded in 1970 and is currently located in Ontario, California. In February 2006, the College of Law was provisionally accredited by the American Bar Association, allowing students to take the bar exam and become practicing attorneys in any U.S. jurisdiction. In June 2011, the American Bar Association denied the University of La Verne full ABA accreditation. On August 29, 2011, the school announced it received accreditation from the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. In March 2012, the ABA again granted provisional approval. On March 14, 2016, the ABA granted full accreditation. Of the La Verne graduates who took the California bar exam for the first time in July 2016, 31% passed, vs. a statewide average of 62%.

Campus locations

Military satellite campuses:
At the University of La Verne, approximately 30% of traditional-age undergraduates participate in intercollegiate athletics annually. Its athletic program is dedicated to developing scholar-athletes who demonstrate a commitment to academic and athletic success. Intercollegiate athletics are an integral part of the overall college experience, engaging the campus community and establishing a sense of spirit and pride while promoting a healthy lifestyle and fitness of mind and body.
La Verne offers 20 intercollegiate athletic teams—10 sports for men and 10 for women. The Leopards are a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and compete at the NCAA Division III level.
La Verne has captured numerous SCIAC Championships, and has claimed NCAA team titles in baseball, men's volleyball and women's volleyball.