Pepperdine College of Health Science

Pepperdine University's College of Health Science will provide world-class education for the next generation of healthcare providers. Through rigorous coursework and practical application under the instruction of experienced faculty and healthcare practitioners, students will be prepared for careers in nursing and speech-language pathology with plans to extend programming to additional disciplines that will meet the demands of the growing healthcare field. Launching in fall 2025, the College of Health Science will be an extension of Pepperdine's Christian mission, integrating faith and learning and offering students a faith-based perspective of healthcare that embraces Jesus' call to love our neighbor through compassion, selfless service, and exceptional care.

The Master of Science (MS) education program in speech-language pathology (distance education) at Pepperdine University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. Candidacy is a “preaccreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years. The School of Nursing is currently seeking California Board of Registered Nursing and WSCUC approval with an anticipated approval timeline of late spring 2025.

Health Science Programs at Pepperdine

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Pepperdine's MS in Speech-Language Pathology program offers a comprehensive curriculum and clinical experience in communication and swallowing development, disorders, assessment, and treatment to equip students to meet the demands of one of the fastest-growing healthcare disciplines. Choose between a full-time (five trimesters) or part-time (eight trimesters) program that consists of weekly online learning, three onsite campus experiences, and 400 supervised clinical hours.

Five-Trimester Program

Online
Three one-week immersion periods for clinical training

Classes Start

Fall 2025

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Entry-Level Master's in Nursing

The entry-level master's in nursing, clinical nurse leader (ELM-CNL) program prepares individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and want to pursue a career in nursing. The first two years focus on prelicensure preparation, leading to eligibility for the NCLEX-RN exam. The third year covers graduate-level nursing leadership. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the CNL certification examination and will have met program requirements for a public health nurse certification.

Seven-Semester Program

Classes in Calabasas
850+ hours of clinical training

Classes Start

Fall 2025

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Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The BSN curriculum includes didactic (classroom-based) courses to provide essential content knowledge and clinical (laboratory-based) courses to develop practical skills for high-quality patient care. Students must complete over 750 hours of clinical training across five specialty areas: medical/surgical, psychiatric/mental health, obstetrics, pediatrics, and gerontology. Clinical experiences, facilitated through partnerships with healthcare systems and community organizations, allow students to work with diverse patient populations in various clinical settings.

Four-Year Pathway

Years one and two in Malibu
Years three and four in Calabasas

Two-Year Transfer Pathway

Classes in Calabasas

Classes Start

Fall 2025

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College of Health Science Schools

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing at Pepperdine University’s College of Health Science prepares the next generation of nursing professionals who will serve in healthcare systems with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience necessary to provide superior patient-centered care. Committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and rooted in the core values of the Christian faith, the School of Nursing equips future nurses to lead with confidence and compassion in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. A bachelor of science in nursing and entry-level master’s in nursing provide tailored programs for students beginning their journey in nursing education or advancing their career.

Speech-Language Pathologist with a patient

School of Speech-Language Pathology

The School of Speech-Language Pathology equips students to meet the demands of one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in the nation and California. Distinguished faculty provide exceptional instruction and clinical training in communication and swallowing development, disorders, and differences to prepare students to assess and treat patients across the lifespan and continuum of care. The integration of faith into the SLP Program grounds the curriculum in Truth, promotes the ethical and moral exercise of research, and fosters holistic clinical practice that values patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

Pepperdine College of Health Science

Health Science Programs at Pepperdine

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Entry-Level Master's in Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Our Impact

College of Health Science Schools

School of Nursing

School of Speech-Language Pathology

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