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Undergraduate Areas of Study

The La Sierra Advantage

When you study at La Sierra University, you will:

  • Be able to choose from more than 60 possible majors.
  • Have a coach who will help you choose the right classes.
  • Study on a friendly campus where you can get to know your professors and classmates.
  • Have opportunities to join athletic teams, musical organizations, and cultural and activity clubs.
  • Take classes that let you serve others while you learn.
  • Be part of a campus that cares about your faith as well as your studies.

Still Deciding On A Major?

If you are having a hard time choosing a major for your college studies, you're in good company. A large number of students start college without declaring a major. And many of those who do select a major change to a different one before they graduate. College is a time of exploration. For much of your first two years you will take classes in areas such as English, science, world languages, math, and religion.

You'll have a wide variety of interesting classes to choose from within the foundational and general studies requirements. You can use this time to find what interests you most. Foundational and general studies are a regular part of the curriculum for all students at La Sierra University. By fulfilling these requirements, you are making progress toward graduation even before you choose your major. So you're not "wasting time" in college before you select your major. You're on the way to your future!

I was eager to start my studies at La Sierra University, however, I was concerned about my struggles to settle on a major. After one quarter, I befriended faculty and staff who introduced me to the world of service and I knew that criminal justice was the path for me."
Laura Ramos, Criminal Justice Major

Many Career Options

It's important to remember that selecting a major is not the same as deciding on a career. The same major can lead to many different careers. Biology majors, for example, may go into a health-related field. They may also teach, work for an environmental organization, or go into biomedical sales or wildlife management. The further students progess in a major, the more clear they become about their desired pathway. So dive into college! Enjoy learning a wide array of subjects. You may be surprised by what captures your attention!

The Spiritual Dimension

Getting involved in serving others is a great way to "try on" different career paths. It may also help you get to know people who are taking various majors. The Office of Spiritual Life has a number of groups you can join to pray, study, and serve with fellow students. The Missions staff can help you learn about opportunities to serve on short or long-term mission assignments. Some students find that mission experience helps clarify God's calling in their lives.

We're Here to Help

Students at La Sierra University have lots of help available in exploring possible majors. You can:
  • Get paired up with an academic coach who's recently gone through the college process and knows exactly how it works. Have coaching sessions once a week where you can ask about classes, majors, and confusing parts of college life.
  • Attend events such as "Meet the Majors" and get information from each department about the majors and careers you're most interested in.
  • Drop into the Counseling Center to take personality or career tests that will help you learn more about yourself, your gifts, and what career is right for you.
  • Join honor societies, academic groups and clubs from a wide variety of programs.

What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind, there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member of the team."

Benjamin F. Fairless

Paying for College

The Student Financial Services office is here to help with financial aid processes. The staff also keeps up to date on scholarships that could benefit La Sierra students.

Choosing Classes

First-year students meet with their academic coach/advisor each week for their first two quarters. Then they are assigned an advisor from their major department who will help them choose the classes they need to complete their program.

Beyond Class

A lot of learning takes place outside of the classroom. The Division of Student Life is headquarters for student government, activities, organizations, spiritual life, and much more to enhance your college experience.

Career Advising

We want you to find a good job after you finish your degree at La Sierra. The Career Services, located in the Office of Academic & Career Services, is prepared to guide you through your job search process.

University Studies

All undergraduate students at La Sierra University participate in a comprehensive general education curriculum called University Studies, which is rooted in the concept of liberal education as a formative and transformative process. University Studies offers an integrated curriculum that:

  • stimulates the meaning-centered development of its students.
  • familiarizes students with the various academic disciplines.
  • exposes students to intercultural, international and inter-ethnic concerns.
  • encourages students to recognize the importance of developing a personal value system to distinguish between right and wrong.
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