Curious about Pepperdine College

Hi all! I've heard of Pepperdine College, but I don't know much about their strengths or specialties. Can someone enlighten me? Much appreciated!

Hey there! I'm happy to help you learn more about Pepperdine University. First, just to clarify, it's called Pepperdine University instead of Pepperdine College. It's a private university located in Malibu, California, known for its picturesque beachside campus. Pepperdine is affiliated with the Churches of Christ, which plays a minor role in shaping the university's values, but students from all religious backgrounds are welcome.

Pepperdine is divided into five colleges and schools, with undergraduate programs primarily housed within Seaver College. It's known for a few strong academic programs and areas of focus:

1. Business: The Graziadio Business School at Pepperdine is renowned for its graduate and undergraduate programs, including bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration. The business school emphasizes the importance of values-driven leadership and ethical decision-making.

2. Psychology: Within Seaver College, Pepperdine has a respected Psychology Division. Students can pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like psychology, applied behavior analysis, and clinical psychology.

3. Communications and Media Studies: The Communication Division at Seaver College offers diverse concentrations such as journalism, advertising, public relations, integrated marketing communication, and sports communication. They emphasize hands-on experiences and internships to help students gain practical skills.

4. Pre-Law and Pre-Health programs: Pepperdine has strong pre-professional advising programs, geared toward students interested in law and health-related fields like medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. The Pre-Law program offers resources and support, such as mock trial teams, an annual law school fair, and a legal externship program. The Natural Science Division handles the Pre-Health advising and offers research opportunities, workshops, and extracurricular activities for students pursuing health careers.

5. International Studies: Pepperdine's International Studies and Languages Division offers various study abroad programs and language courses. Students often get the opportunity to study abroad in locations such as Heidelberg, Germany; London, England; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Florence, Italy, among others.

These highlights should give you a better idea of Pepperdine's areas of strength. Keep in mind that university offers a well-rounded liberal arts education, so you can expect solid programs across various disciplines. The smaller class sizes at Pepperdine also foster close relationships between students and professors, making for an ideal environment for personal and academic growth.