Pepperdine University
- Academics

RT
Currently attending or alumni?
Review this school!
Are you interested
in this school?
Saving your decision
Yes
Maybe
No

We will attempt to notify this
school of your interest.

This school has been saved to your schools list.

This school has been removed from your recommended schools list.

For your next recommendation, check out .

Pepperdine University - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Academics

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 13:1
Full-Time Student Population 5,432
Part-Time Student Population 2,311
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 365
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 271
Total FT Faculty 372
Faculty with Terminal Degree 91%
Average Faculty Salary $95,307
Full-Time Retention Rate 89%
Part-Time Retention Rate 0%
Graduation Rate 80%
Programs/Majors Offered 69
Average Course Load 4 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 68%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 30%
  • 50 or More Students: 2%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Pepperdine people seem genuinely satisfied with their instructors and their courses. Class sizes matter more than an incoming student might expect, and Pepperdine offers some of the smallest, most intimate classes in California. Students unanimously praise the one-on-one interaction that Pepperdine teachers tend to promote, just as they lament the two or three lecture-oriented general education courses they may have endured over their four years in Malibu. Whether one appreciates the religious tilt of many Pepperdine courses will most likely depend on one’s own beliefs. However, most consider the Christian emphasis to be, at its worst, only mildly tedious or distracting.

Pepperdine emphasizes the importance of teaching over research, so professors are invariably available, approachable, smart, and happy to help their students with just about anything. A result of this warm and fuzzy student-professor relationship is that a lot of classes seem, well, not particularly demanding; one wonders whether more expectations and harder assignments might provoke, in turn, more learning. Most students don’t complain too much about all of that, though. Also, the administration aims its funding predominantly toward its business and natural science programs, at times leaving its other departments out in the cold—despite Pepperdine’s self-description as a liberal arts school. Incoming students should definitely consider the four-semester Great Books program, which not only introduces students to the history of Western thought, it also satisfies a lot of GE requirements (even math!). Also, the excellent international programs are an opportunity not to be missed. Those who can manage the expense of spending a semester, or a year, in Florence or Buenos Aires or any of the other popular Pepperdine destinations, should do just that.

See how you stack up against students who were accepted to this school . . .And calculate your chances!Register to get started

Pepperdine Student ReviewsWhat's This?

Sort by:

Loading...

Academics at Pepperdine University

JAPOTTS

International Business '13

4.6
A

GOOD ACADEMICS

PROFESSORS REALLY HELP YOU DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. ALL PROFESSORS I ENCOUNTERED ARE VERY ENGAGED WITH STUDENTS AND WILLING TO HELP THEM OUT AND LISTEN TO THEM. WORKLOAD VARIES FROM CLASS TO CLASS, AND CAN BE REALLY INTENSE AT SOME TIMES BUT NOTHING UNBEARABLE. OVERALL, ACADEMICS ARE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARDS. THE ONLY NEGATIVE ASPECTS IS THAT SOMETIMES, THE UNIVERSITY'S CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW PERSPIRES INTO THE LECTURE HALLS CREATING A BIASED OPINION ON CERTAIN ACADEMIC SUBJECTS.

Feb 16, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Academics at Pepperdine University

kjborkupine

Art History '14

3.8
B+

Switching Majors

I was a Liberal Arts Major until about 3 days ago when I switched to Art History. My advisors were lovely and wonderful, but overall my course load (with a teaching credential and a theater emphasis) was too heavy. I also realized that I wasn't actually pursuing what I truly wanted. The LibArts/Education program is INCREDIBLE though. I loved the class I did take (Educ 351 with Dr. Wall, the sweetest person on the planet, and very knowledgable) and hope to someday go into education in the future. My change came about very smoothly. The Fine Arts Department has already welcomed me with open arms, and laid out everything very clearly. I can't wait to take classes for my new major!

Feb 15, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Academics at Pepperdine University

gracerox468

Advertising '14

4.6
A

Lot's of Services Available

There are many student services available on campus. We have an office called One Stop which can help you literally with anything from how to register for a class to finding a cheap nail salon near by. There is also a good career center which can help find you scholarships and prepare you for interviews and internships and edit your resumes. The classes are pretty difficult but manageable. The only downside is too many GE's

Feb 08, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
User rating for Pepperdine University - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 32 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3 or higher
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 5 or better in higher level courses
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • Frank R. Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
  • George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management
  • School of Public Policy
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Business Administration and Management: 18%
  • Clinical Psychology: 4%
  • Law: 4%
  • Psychology: 3%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
  • Weekend/evening college
Best Places to Study
  • Howard A. White Center
  • Payson Library
  • Waves Café
Did You Know? Pepperdine is particularly proud of its great international programs; over half of all Pepperdine students travel abroad in at least one of these programs during the course of their college study.

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Jackie Fetzer
Hometown
Huntersville, NC
Major
English Writing and Rhetoric

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

Buy the eBook "Pepperdine University 2012: Off The Record"
Download a FREE Printable Summary (PDF)