Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts

Loyola Marymount University

Welcome to the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts! Our mission is to prepare students to succeed and create lives of meaning and purpose. Through the study of the humanities and social sciences, students not only cultivate intellectual curiosity but also develop practical skills that support lifelong learning, potential for leadership, and career adaptability. Join us!

Academics

A student presenting research

In BCLA, we believe in the education of the whole person. This means a well-rounded, holistic approach to preparation for life and career. Our major and minor humanities and social sciences programs explore the cultural, social, environmental, and historical contexts of the past and present to better understand and prepare for the future. What sets us apart is our emphasis on a collaborative learning environment. With faculty who are leading scholars in their respective fields, students and faculty work together in the classroom, field, and community. Students gain historical perspective, critical thinking and communication skills, and global and diversity awareness, empowering them to think deeply and contribute meaningfully in a fast-changing, complex, and global world.

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BCLA Student Experience

We are committed to developing positive, inclusive student opportunities and experiences that contribute to an outstanding Loyola Marymount University education. As a liberal arts student at LMU, you will become a critical thinker, a global citizen, and an ethical leader who is ready to start a great career. Your BCLA experience begins in the classroom with world-class faculty and then extends out into the world. As early as your first year here, you gain access to valuable support and high-impact experiences that widen your perspective and prepare you for life after college.

BCLA Student Experience

Centers and Institutes

Cornel West and Henry Louis Gates

Our centers and institutes are a critical element of our mission to promote learning by empowering students to advance scholarly inquiry, cultivate critical and creative thought and generate knowledge for all. Our active partnerships with organizations and institutions throughout our local and global communities allow us to take coursework out of the classroom and put it into action. Because we're committed to integrating teaching, research and practical problem solving, we offer several ways for students to participate in engaging research projects.

Learn About BCLA Centers and Institutes

About Us

Stduents working together during first year art and power seminar

The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts embodies LMU’s mission of holistic education, fostering personal growth and self-discovery. All LMU undergraduates delve into the humanities and social sciences, exploring life's profound questions to deepen their understanding of themselves, others, and the world. Our distinguished faculty are dedicated scholars and mentors who are committed to inclusion, respectful dialogue, and the advancement of a just society. BCLA equips students for meaningful lives and careers dedicated to the common good through our comprehensive curriculum and global and other experiential learning opportunities.

About BCLA

Why Choose BCLA

By the Numbers

Students eating lunch
10:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Female student in classroom
2,261

Total Undergraduate Students

A smiling student wearing an LMU branded shirt
83%

Students Receiving Financial Aid

Fernando Guerra speaking at an event
227

Full-Time Faculty

Stories

Two Women Standing In Front of a Mural
Psychology

Research, For The People

Professor of Psychology Cheryl Grills & Sandra Villanueva, Ph.D., lead the Psychology Applied Research Center, and their research on local & national projects makes an impact.

Professor Julia Lee and Henry Louis Gates Jr.
English

Understanding Your Own History

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Professor Julia Lee discussed documenting lived experiences for the next generation.

History

Students Study Empire and Public History in the UK

Students enrolled in BCLA’s Global Immersion program visited museums, Oxford, and other well known British landmarks.

Upcoming Events

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Choose BCLA

Find information about our campus nestled in sunny LA, explore our programs, or begin an application.