Finance and Accounting Degrees Offered at CLU
California Lutheran University appears in our ranking of the 50 Best Online Master of Finance Degree Programs.
In Hanson House, the School of Management grants the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration for 500+ California Lutheran University undergrads to learn the “nuts and bolts” of how profitable organizations function. Chaired by Dr. Veronica Guerrero, the 56-credit major maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio in eight concentrations, including Finance, through the Executive Roundtable capstone. Since 1984, the Bachelor of Science in Accounting led by Dr. Jamshid Damooei has followed a 76-credit major sequence for 97 percent job placement at Ernest & Young, CBIZ, Fujitsu, Sony, Farber Hass Hurley, and more. The Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals also offers adults over 21 an Accounting Concentration with 11-week evening sessions in Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, or Woodland Hills.
Some save up to $6,000 by taking the 4+1 Master of Business Administration track in Finance for leadership prowess. Headed by Dr. Sumantra Sengupta, the 45-credit MBA accelerates through eight-week online courses from Data Management to Enterprise Strategy. Lastly, the 36-credit Master of Science in Financial Planning teaches portfolio growth skills to prepare for CFP certification online on Blackboard in two years part-time.
About California Lutheran University
California Lutheran University was formally incorporated on August 4, 1959, as California Lutheran College by the CLEF Board of Governors with Dr. Orville Dahl as its president. In September 1961, an inaugural class of 330 began classes on a 130-acre lot donated by Norwegian immigrant Richard Pederson. First accredited in 1962, it conferred the first bachelor’s in 1964 and was approved by the State Board of Education in 1966. Thirteen years later, Governor Ronald Reagan visited its growing 41-building Thousand Oaks campus with Sir Bernardus Weber’s Enormous Luther. On January 1, 1986, the California Lutheran University name was adopted for the only four-year Ventura County institution. In 2000, Morning Glory won its record-setting 19th All American Award. Starting 2016, CLU was also the year-round NFL training site for the Los Angeles Rams. Endowed for $83.3 million, California Lutheran University now welcomes 4,383 Regals from 49 countries as a nonsectarian ECLA affiliate with Federal Hispanic-serving status.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Cal Lutheran the West’s 15th best university, 16th top undergrad teacher, 11th best value, and eighth most veteran-friendly campus. On Niche, CLU boasts the 57th best housing, 63rd top Christian education, 195th best business courses, and 220th most diversity nationally. Forbes placed California Lutheran University 282nd overall with the 193rd best private schooling. Money magazine named CLU 408th for a 20-year PayScale ROI of $298,000. College Factual picked Cal Lutheran for America’s 173rd best accounting degree and 94th highest-paid finance grads. WalletHub declared CLU the 101st safest campus and 206th best school for educational outcomes. In May 2007, California Lutheran University won the USDLA Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming Award. Financial Planning magazine listed CLU among its top 95 colleges. The Social Mobility Index positioned Cal Lutheran 463rd while Washington Monthly crowned it 273rd.
California Lutheran University Accreditation Details
On July 15, 2015, California Lutheran University received a reaffirmation letter from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission to continue Level VI accreditation for 10 more years under its seventh president, Dr. Chris Kimball, who accepted the 2013 Interfaith Youth Core Best Campaign Award. Based 377 miles north via Interstate 5 in Alameda, this nonprofit nine-territory Pacific accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to ensure academic quality for CLU’s 38 baccalaureate, 19 master’s, five doctoral, and 13 certificate options. The School of Management received candidacy status from the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in October 2017. California Lutheran’s MS in Financial Planning was also approved by the Certified Financial Planner (CPF) Board of Standards.
California Lutheran University Application Requirements
Enrolling at California Lutheran University is rated “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because just 3,820 of the 5,251 Fall 2017 applicants were successful for 72 percent acceptance. First-year Regals seeking the BSBA in Finance or BS in Accounting must culminate an ambitious college-prep curriculum. Four years of high school Math, including Algebra II, are preferred. On average, freshmen achieve a 3.7 GPA, 1180 SAT, and 24 ACT mark. Advanced Placement, such as AP Economics, exams provide three credits if scored 4 or better. The Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals in Accounting requires 12+ college credits after the diploma or GED plus two years of full-time work experience. Adults who are at least 22 years old must meet the cumulative 2.25 GPA minimum. Online MS in Financial Planning and MBA cohorts need regionally accredited bachelor’s degrees. GMAT scores above 450 are waived for upper-division 3.0 GPAs or nine transferrable master’s credits.
California Lutheran University set freshmen deadlines of November 1st for Early Action and January 1st for Regular Decision. Transfers, including Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals entrants, apply until June 1st for Fall and October 1st for Spring. MBA priority dates are July 15th, October 1st, January 15th, and April 15th. Hopeful MS in Financial Planning candidates are considered five times yearly until June 15th, September 1st, November 15th, February 1st, and April 1st. Accordingly, submit the Common Application or School of Management Application online for $25. Arrange for transcript mailings to 60 West Olsen Road in Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Supplemental items include the test scores, personal statement, registrar report, two recommendations, and current résumé. Ask further questions at admissions@callutheran.edu or (805) 493-3135.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, California Lutheran University is billing full-time BS in Accounting and BSBA in Finance undergrads $42,410 annually. Mandatory fees total $482 per year. Traditional part-time study incurs $1,365 per credit. Residing at the Ventura County campus’ dorms like Kramer Court adds $7,330 to $12,370 for housing. The 19 Meal Plan for Ullman Commons costs $6,320 extra. CLU budgets $1,917 for texts, $1,107 for travel, and $2,394 for personal needs. Annual attendance equals around $61,599 on-site and $54,492 with parents. The Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals charges $580 per credit with a $55 technology fee. MBA cohorts pay $820 per credit or $36,900 total. The Online MS in Financial Planning has a $29,520 base price.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid crowns 87 percent of full-time CLU Regals with assistance packages averaging $24,166 each for $60.51 million combined. University funds include the Swenson Scholarship, Manken Family Scholarship, Freshmen Academic Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Alumni Scholarship, Convocators Scholarship, Global Scholarship, Gillette Family Scholarship, and Marian & Marvin Jaynes Scholarship. Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals students taking 6+ credits receive the $1,250 Fast Track Grant each term. The Public Price Promise Program currently gifts $26,188 to match costs for accepted University of California students. Until March 15th, School of Management students enter the PRIME Competition for $500 prizes. Undergrads submit FAFSA applications coded 001133 for Federal Pell and FSEOG Grant coverage. Work-Study jobs and graduate assistantships compensate at least $11/hour. Yellow Ribbon GI Bill benefits provide full veteran tuition. State-based awards like the Cal Grant, Access Grant, Chafee Foster Grant, and Middle Class Scholarship also add up.
Find more about California Lutheran University at the School of Management website.
