Marymount California University is a small Catholic liberal arts college located in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California. Initially conceived as a junior college offering a variety of two-year associates degrees, over the past few decades it has added a handful of four-year bachelor’s degrees and a select few graduate programs. Known as Marymount College since its formation in 1973, in 2013 the school changed its name to Marymount California University to stress its variety of associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and professional programs.
Mission/Vision
The University’s mission is to “empower its students through an educational program that develops principled thinkers in the Catholic liberal arts tradition.” The pursue this vision, Marymount’s curriculum stresses core values of tradition, openness, integrity, and service. While the school exists as a Catholic institution, it welcomes students of all creeds and beliefs.
Campus Setting
Marymount California’s main campus is located on a 26-acre parcel of land in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, which is about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The main, or “Oceanview” campus fronts the Pacific ocean and overlooks Catalina Island. The University also operates satellite campuses in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles and in Lake County, California. Students live both on campus and in residential communities situated in the surrounding areas.
Academics
Marymount California offers 30 two-year associate’s degree programs in a variety of majors in the liberal arts and sciences. Students at the University can also earn bachelor’s degrees in business, the liberal arts, media studies, and psychology. Marymount California also boasts an honors program which gives a higher level of challenge to qualifying students (typically those with a 3.3 GPA or higher).
In addition to its undergraduate courses, Marymount offers master’s degrees in community psychology, leadership and global development, and business administration. Marymount University’s graduate programs are administered via a combination of online and face-to-face classes.
Athletics
Marymount California’s athletic teams, known as the Mariners, compete in the California Pacific Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Varsity sports consist of men’s and women’s cross country, golf, track and field, and soccer, as well as men’s lacrosse.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition at Marymount California University is currently $31,112 per year for full-time students, with a pro-rated per-course fee for part-timers. Room and board costs $12,998 to $15,570 annually if living on campus. The University offers a wide variety of financial aid packages, including grants, loans, and scholarships. Awards are based on academic merit, financial need, and athletic skill, and over 70% of students receive some form of financial aid through the school.
Accreditation
Marymount California University is accredited by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Admissions
Admission to Marymount California University is selective. Requirements include a 2.5 GPA or higher, as well as four years of high school English, three years of math, and two years each of history, natural science, and foreign language instruction. The application, which is due February 1 (for priority processing), May 1 (for regular consideration), or July 1 (for late consideration) also requires a $50 fee, letters of recommendation from high school teachers and counselors, standardized test scores, and a personal statement. Applicants for whom English is not their native language may also need to submit TOEFL scores to prove fluency.
The school’s graduate programs have a separate admissions process and deadline. More information can be found here.
For more information or to apply, contact Marymount California University’s admissions office at:
admission@MarymountCalifornia.edu
Office of Admission
30800 Palos Verdes Dr. East
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-6299
Phone: (310) 303-7311
Fax: (310) 303-7698
