Swenson Center for Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Swenson Center for Social and Behavioral Sciences is home to Cal Lutheran’s most popular majors such as Psychology, Communication, and Criminal Justice. In the Swenson center, you will find 43 offices, two computer labs, a psychology lab, a conference room and a faculty/staff lounge, as well as the Center for Equality & Justice, and Departments of Communication, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Languages & Cultures.
Academics
Communication
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
⭐ Academics
As a student, you’ll work one-on-one with talented faculty as you pursue your goals.
Core-21 Curriculum
Core-21 is the backbone of your education. It will prepare you to adapt to the rapid changes of the 21st century — making it your biggest competitive advantage. Core-21 (your general education requirements) are the true strength of your degree. Some will overlap with courses in your major, while others will expose you to different areas of study.
4 to Finish
Cal Lutheran's "4 To Finish" Graduation Guarantee Program is designed to assist students in a timely four-year graduation. Students will not only have an opportunity to enter graduate school or get started in their careers earlier, but keep costs to a minimum, stay on track academically, and achieve their goals!
In order to participate in the California Lutheran University 4 to Finish program students agree to comply with the conditions outlined below. The University makes a commitment that graduation in four years will not be delayed by course availability. Students may cancel the agreement with the University at any time, with no penalty. Cancellation of the agreement is automatic if any of the terms listed below are not met.
Research Opportunities
Cal Lutheran students across all disciplines are given opportunities to participate in research and creative scholarship, allowing them to make original contributions to their fields while they study.
Faculty-mentored, self-directed work is facilitated through our research programs, which serve both our undergraduate and graduate students. Their accomplishments include all types of scholarship — traditional lab research, creative works, quantitative research and qualitative explorations. Giving them invaluable experience for the future, students are called to present their research to their peers and the community during our annual conferences and exhibits.
⭐ Communication
Learn to deliver effective messaging across all forms of media. The skills you’ll develop will be relevant in every industry and endeavor.
Emphasis
Concentration Options
Advertising/Public Relations
Film and Television Production
Journalism
Sports Communication
Your Future
Because of our internship programs, contacts in the professional world, and the excellent support of Cal Lutheran Career Services, the placement rate for communication majors is quite impressive.
Recent graduates have taken rewarding jobs in a variety of fields. These include market research, public relations, and broadcasting.
Our alumni study at:
Cal State University, Northridge
Fashion Institute of Design
George Washington University
Liverpool Hope University
Loyola Marymount University
New York University
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Pepperdine Law School
University of Southern California
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Surrey (UK)
University of California San Diego
Our alumni work for:
ABC Television
City of Simi Valley
Disney ABC Television Group
E! Entertainment
Edelman
ESPN Radio
Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts
Fox Sports
NBC Universal
Sony Pictures
Time Magazine
The Walt Disney Company
United Way
Warner Brothers\
Career paths:
Account Executive
Community Service Coordinator
Events Manager
Marketing/Sales Coordinator
News Assistant
TV Development Assistant
Sales Consultant
Advertising Copywriter
Radio DJ
Production Manager
Public Relations Specialist
Market Researcher
Human Resources Rep.
The Curriculum
Your studies will start with a foundation in communication theory, mass media history, and story writing. You’ll perform research about topical issues in order to critically evaluate the messages and effects of modern communication.
You’ll focus on the area of communication that most closely aligns with your goals by choosing one of several concentrations. You can also pursue a general communication degree combined with courses in other subjects related to your career objective, such as political science.
Your courses will afford you many opportunities to take an active role in developing your communication skills through special projects and on-campus media outlets. For example, you can:
Produce your own radio show on iCLU
Write articles for the award-winning Echo newspaper
Produce and implement a real advertising campaign
Broadcast and stream university sports events
Write, direct, and produce a student film
⭐ Criminology and Criminal Justice
Study criminological theory, the justice system, and law. You will develop the knowledge, skills, and ethical training that are essential for pursuing a career in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, probation and parole, or a variety of social service agencies. You will also be well prepared for graduate studies in law, criminology, or public policy and administration.
The Curriculum
By studying human behavior and social institutions, you’ll get a complete picture of the causes of criminal behavior and crime's impact on society. You will learn how the criminal justice system is made up of several agencies, each with its own important function. You’ll examine these different fields and the ways they work together, including:
Policing
Corrections
Judicial processes
Forensics
Law
Victimology
Crime research and statistics
Public policy
Theories of crime and criminality
Your studies will incorporate theory, research, and practical applications with an emphasis on understanding crime and criminal behavior, criminal justice systems, as well as criminal and constitutional law. Excelling in the criminal justice system or a related field requires a background in several different subjects. Your major will be enhanced with foundational courses that draw from:
Sociology
Political science
Psychology
Global studies
Public policy and administration
Your Future
More than 80% of our criminal justice majors secure employment in the field after graduation or go on to graduate school or law school. With greater attention being focused on law enforcement and national security, criminal justice students with bachelor's and graduate degrees are in demand.
While most graduates are employed in a criminal justice agency, such as law enforcement or probation, many also find employment in government agencies, nonprofits, and in private sector organizations such as insurance carriers and victim services.
Our alumni study at:
California Western School of Law
George Mason University School of Law
Indiana University, Bloomington
Kapella University
Loyola Law School
Northeastern University
Palo Alto University
Pepperdine Law School
San Diego State University
University of California, Irvine
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Nevada, Reno
University of Southern California
Our alumni work for:
Beverly Hills Police Department
Department of Public Safety
FBI Cyber Division
Los Angeles Police Department
Oxnard Police Department
San Diego Police Department
Santa Barbara Police Department
Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office
Simi Valley Police Department
United States Customs
University Campus Safety Departments
Ventura County Probation Agency
Ventura County Sheriff's Office, Crime Analyst Division
Career paths:
Border Patrol and Immigration Officer
Correctional Officer
Crime Analyst
Criminal Investigator
Customs Inspector
Juvenile Justice Officer
Law Enforcement (local, county and federal levels)
Legal Assistant
Park Ranger
Parole and Probation Officer
Researcher
U.S. Customs Agent
Victim Advocacy and Social Services
⭐ Political Science
Political Science students analyze the structures, processes, and outcomes of governmental decisions, and are prepared for responsible roles in the political, economic, and business life of the nation—wherever their careers may lead.
Typically, graduates pursue careers in teaching, public administration, law, or politics, but they're also found working in foreign service, urban planning, and political analysis organizations.
Your Future
Students are offered opportunities to study abroad at Oxford and other notable programs, engage in community development and service projects, and intern in public policy and non-profit agencies in Washington, DC and throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
Our alumni study at:
-Emory Law School
-Illinois Institute of Technology
-London School of Economics and Political Science
-Loyola Marymount Law School
-Michigan State University, Law
-Pepperdine School of Law
-Southwestern School of Law
-UC Irvine School of Law
-Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona
-University of Denver, Law
-University of Southern CA (USC)
-University of the Pacific, McGeorge Law
-University of Oxford
-University of Utah
-University of Washington Seattle
-Whittier School of Law
Our alumni work for:
-Arc Ventura County
-California Community Foundation
-Corwin Press
-County of Ventura
-Democratic National Committee
-Foundation for Sustainable Development
-Getty Research Institute
-Los Angeles City Council
-LaVerne University
-Masry & Vititue Law Office
-Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
-San Joaquin County Office of Education
Career paths:
-Business Consultant
-Campaign Organizer
-Capital Fellow, DC
-Case Consultant
-Communications Director
-Field Representative
-Junior Integrated Strategist
-Health Program Research Assistant
-Law Clerk
-Legislative Analyst
-Police Officer
-Political Researcher
-Reporter/Producer
The Curriculum
The mission of the Political Science Department is to provide a personalized education of distinction that fosters students' intellectual and critical skills, and develops their capacities to apply the study of politics to the conditions of political life especially in the context of diversity and globalization. Through its courses and experiential learning opportunities, the Cal Lutheran Political Science department is unified by two broad themes: civic engagement and global citizenship.
The Department is committed to the belief that one of the goals of education is to link scholarship, teaching and applied knowledge to the academic study of politics. In the spirit of this there is an Political Science experiential learning component in the form of an internship or study abroad required of Political Science majors. Students are offered opportunities to study abroad at Oxford and other notable programs, engage in community development and service projects, and intern at law firms and non-profit agencies in Washington, DC and throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
⭐ Psychology
Psychology is the systematic and scientific study of human functioning.
Human psychology is the result of biological, developmental, emotional, cognitive, and social processes. Psychologists study these processes through the application of the scientific method and apply their findings to better understand human behavior.
Your Future
Your degree will be excellent preparation for graduate work in psychology, law, and business.
With a bachelor's degree, you will find employment opportunities in psychiatric rehabilitation programs, as research assistants, and in the business world.
If you choose to pursue a master's degree, you will be able to work in clinics and institutions, teach at a two-year college, or work as a school psychologist or counselor. For some clinical and research work, a doctorate is required.
Cal Lutheran offers master's degrees in clinical psychology and counseling psychology with a specialization in marital and family therapy (MFT) as well as a PsyD (doctorate) degree in Psychology.
Our alumni study at:
-Azusa Pacific
-Boston University
-California Lutheran University
-Chapman University
-Chicago School of Professional Psychology
-John Hopkins University
-Pepperdine University School of Law
-Purdue University
-UCLA
-University of Hawaii
-University of Southern California
-University of Washington
Our alumni work for:
-AmeriCorps
-Applied Behavior Consultants
-Aspen Center for Autism
-Behavior Therapy & Family Counseling Clinic
-Casa Pacifica
-California Psych Care
-Children's Hospital
-Denver Health Medical Center
-Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis
-Interface Children Family Services
-Peace Corps
Career paths:
-Alcohol/Drug Counselor
-Behavior Management Consultant
-Career Counselor
-Case Management Specialist
-Child Care Consultant
-Developmental Therapist
-Head Interventionist
-Marriage and Family Therapist
-Psychologist
-Shelter Client Advocate
-Special Education Teacher
-Therapeutic Behavior Specialist
-Youth Development Facilitator
The Curriculum
If understanding human thought and behavior is at the heart of a liberal arts education, the study of psychology is at the heart of that process. For those interested in the study of human thought, emotion, and behavior, a psychology major is ideal.
The Psychology major at Cal Lutheran is designed to expose students to the theoretical and empirical foundations of the discipline as well as the applications of established principles to behavior change. As a result of majoring in Psychology, you'll be prepared for graduate work in the discipline as well as to apply the concepts and skills you'll acquire in a variety of career settings.
Our program is designed to expose you to the theoretical and empirical foundations of psychology, as well as the applications of established principles to behavior change. You will apply the major research methods used in psychology to answer questions and be able to interpret and evaluate the results and conclusions derived through these methods. Our faculty encourages students to become actively engaged in the learning process.
⭐ Sociology
Sociologists seek to understand how individuals interact with and are shaped by institutions, organizations, and cultures. They investigate the underlying forces to show us the ways in which many of our personal troubles are rooted in larger social problems.
Your Future
Graduates are able to effectively evaluate social issues and understand social change. They employ the critical perspective and research skills they learned as sociology majors and feel empowered to make positive contributions in an increasingly diverse and global society.
Our alumni are well prepared for graduate study and professional work in sociology, social work, law, public health, non-profit management, teaching, and other fields that require the ability to think ethically and critically about a wide range of key issues.
Our alumni study at:
-Boston University
-California State University, Northridge
-Cornell University
-George Mason University
-Golden Gate University Law School
-The London School of Economics and Political Science
-University of Barcelona
-University of California, Davis
-University of California, Los Angeles
-University of Denver
-University of Southern California
-Vanderbilt University
Our alumni work for:
-American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
-American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
-Boys & Girls Club
-Catholic Charities USA
-Girls Incorporated
-Human Rights Campaign
-Lutheran Social Services
-SAGE Publications
-Symantec
-University of San Diego
Career paths:
-Counseling
-Higher Education Administration
-Human Resources
-K-12 Teacher
-Lawyer
-Marketing
-Non-profit Management
-Public Health
-Research
-Social Work
The Curriculum
You will receive rigorous theoretical and methodological training, gaining meaningful insights for understanding all levels of society—from the intimate micro-interactions of everyday life to the macro-dynamics of globalization.
There are two required research method courses. Your professors will provide one-on-one mentorship while you conduct research on topics of your choice. You can then expand your projects into research papers and go on to present at local, regional, and national conferences.
Explore specific interests through elective courses covering topics such as:
-Gender
-Race and Ethnic Relations
-Deviance in U.S. Society
-Religion and Culture
-Sexuality
-Popular Culture
-Immigration
-Medical Sociology
-Families and Intimate Relationships
Campus Map
