Pepperdine University

Yes, PU is online and offers online graduate degrees, including approximately a dozen online master's degrees and a dozen online graduate and professional certificate programs. NCES data shows that almost half of PU's graduate student body enrolls exclusively in distance-only education. 

Notable online master's degrees include business administration (MBA), which has seven concentrations to choose from, including legal studies, learning design and technology, and applied behavioral analysis. Students enroll as cohorts so they progress through a program at the same time. Some programs are accelerated, such as the online master's in human resources, enabling full-time students to finish in less than two years. 

Yes, many consider PU a good school, and it's even included in several of our rankings lists: #1 for Best Online Human Resources Master's Degrees and #12 for Best Online Colleges in California. 

PU's favorable accreditation status also shows it's respected and legitimate. PU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). WSCUC is nationally recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education. The accreditation WSCUC confers to PU means it finds the university's financial practices sound and that its academic programming meets federal quality standards.

To provide the most trustworthy results, OnlineU only includes accredited online institutions on its site. 

PU is known for having five schools devoted to the fields of business, education and psychology, law, liberal arts, and public policy. It has a low 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio, according to the NCES. These smaller class sizes help educators form connections with their students and provide individualized instruction. 

PU is also known as a school that fosters and supports a culture of community belonging. According to a 2019 PU survey of students through its Office of Inclusion and Equity, approximately 90% of students feel the university respects diversity, values each student's unique perspective, providing opportunities for students of all backgrounds to engage with each other. PU has six campuses worldwide — including London, Florence, and Buenos Aires — to encourage students to travel and study abroad.

Yes, PU is a religious school that follows the Churches of Christ doctrine. Churches of Christ are independent Christian congregations, where each is autonomous and without formal organization beyond the local church. The Bible serves as its "constitution," and the New Testament determines doctrinal matters. 

Churches of Christ hold conservative social and political views. For example, they are not an LGBT-friendly school, as they oppose same-sex marriage and transgender identity.

In support of its religious affiliation, PU integrates faith with learning to help produce graduates committed to servant leadership. It provides opportunities for students to develop their faith through extracurricular activities and community service projects. They must also complete a predetermined number of convocation credits earned by attending church weekly.

Exactly which degrees at PU are the highest earning for graduates is unclear based on available federal data. However, OnlineU's proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alumni earn compared to graduates with the same degree nationwide. For example, out of 100 total points, PU has a master's degree Salary Score of 76. More specifically, PU's online master's degree in human resources management and services has a near-perfect salary score of 98, and it scores a 92 for its online MBA. 

Pepperdine is competitive and moderately hard to get into. However, it's unclear exactly how difficult it is because each program has unique admission requirements and expectations. A program or enrollment advisor can answer any questions you may have when picking a college.

PU generally looks for students with high GPAs, high entrance exam scores (if applicable), relevant work experience (if applicable), and a proven commitment to the field of study. When applying to college, it helps to understand what's expected so you can gather as much relevant information as possible to help ensure you are considered for enrollment.

You may be able to get into PU with a 3.5 GPA, but it ultimately depends on the program. However, PU also considers other factors, such as work and life experience, diverse perspectives, and undergraduate field of study. 

Although individual degree programs may have additional requirements, PU's admission requirements for graduate students generally include the following:

• An application 
• Fees for document assembly, transcript evaluations, and university reports 
• A $150 application fee
• Official college transcripts showing you've earned at least a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Official military transcripts, if applicable
• GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores may be required based on the program
• An application essay or statement of purpose
• A resume
• Recommendation(s) from former professors, academic advisors, or employers (based on program requirements)
• A signed Statement of Responsibility form
• An interview

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