
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a Catholic research university rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount (Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary) traditions. Located in Los Angeles, California, the university offers a rigorous academic experience for ambitious students committed to living lives of meaning and purpose. LMU has a student population that is 50% Catholic and a faculty population that is 25% Catholic. While some religious courses are required, students need not be Catholic or religious to attend and thrive at LMU.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Loyola Marymount University's location | Los Angeles, California |
| Loyola Marymount University's type of institution | Catholic research university |
| Loyola Marymount University's religious affiliation | Jesuit and Marymount (Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary) traditions |
| Loyola Marymount University's student population | 50% Catholic |
| Loyola Marymount University's faculty population | 25% Catholic |
| Loyola Marymount University's ranking | 9th best Catholic college in America |
| Loyola Marymount University's religious courses | Required |
| Loyola Marymount University's campus ministries and weekend liturgies | Available and visible |
| Loyola Marymount University's admission criteria | Does not evaluate religious affiliation |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Loyola Marymount University's Catholic roots
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a Catholic research university with a Roman Catholic heritage. It was formed in 1973 through the merger of Loyola University and Marymount College, which brought together the educational traditions of the Jesuits, the Marymount sisters, and the Orange sisters.
LMU's Catholic roots are evident in its curriculum, with some religious courses being mandatory for all students. These include a lower-division theology course and an upper-division flagged course. Additionally, the university offers campus ministries and weekend liturgies, fostering a spiritual environment for those who wish to engage in these activities.
The university's student population is approximately 50% Catholic, and the faculty is about 25% Catholic. LMU does not consider religious affiliation during the admissions process, and students from diverse religious or non-religious backgrounds are welcome to apply and attend. However, a large proportion of successful applicants are Catholic, and many come from Jesuit or Marymount-affiliated high schools due to the university's affiliations and scholarship opportunities.
LMU's Catholic heritage is also reflected in its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The university actively cultivates an anti-racist climate and embraces individuals from various cultural backgrounds, talents, and interests. This commitment to inclusivity extends to the university's scholarship programs, with many scholarships offered to students who demonstrate exceptional community service leadership while attending Jesuit or Marymount high schools.
The Academy of Catholic Thought and Imagination (ACTI) at LMU further underscores the university's Catholic roots. Founded in 2014, ACTI serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, scholarship, pedagogy, and outreach, promoting its mission through sponsored events and academic publications.
Overall, while LMU is rooted in Catholic traditions, it embraces diversity and welcomes students and faculty from all backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and intellectually engaging community.
Catholics and Charity: What's the Requirement?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.95 $29.95

Religious courses and campus ministries
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a Catholic university that was formed in 1973 through the merger of Loyola University and Marymount College. The university is institutionally committed to Roman Catholicism and draws inspiration from the Jesuits, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
Religious Courses
Theology courses are offered at LMU each semester. Students can reflect on personal religious experiences, analyze sacred texts, and integrate reason and faith through these courses. The LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts department of Theological Studies offers courses in biblical, historical, systematic, pastoral, moral, and comparative theology, with a focus on the Roman Catholic tradition. The university also offers short courses in theology that are open to the public, as well as graduate-level courses for auditors with instructor permission.
Campus Ministries
LMU's Campus Ministry fosters an inclusive spiritual community that helps individuals grow in their faith and become agents of transformation for a more equitable and just world. The ministry provides pastoral and spiritual support through various means, including worship services, faith-sharing groups, pastoral counselling, spiritual accompaniment, and a weekly newsletter. The Chapel of the Advocate, located on campus, serves as a sacred space for worship, personal prayer, and contemplation. The Interfaith Prayer and Meditation Room in Casassa 405 is also available for students, faculty, and staff.
The Virgin Mary's Labor: Pain-Free Delivery?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Student and faculty population demographics
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a private Catholic research university in Los Angeles, California. The university was formed in 1973 through the merger of Loyola University and Marymount College, which were both founded in 1911. The merger retained the Catholic educational traditions of the Jesuits, Marymount sisters, and Orange sisters. LMU is the largest Catholic university on the west coast of the United States, enrolling over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
LMU's student population is diverse, with students from multiple nationalities, ethnicities, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive and academically rigorous community that encourages students to challenge the status quo. The values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are deeply ingrained in the university's culture, with programmes like the Guardian Scholars Program honoured as an outstanding campus initiative in Jesuit higher education. LMU also has a strong focus on community service, with students volunteering over 200,000 service hours annually with 250 community organisations.
In terms of faculty demographics, LMU is home to around 35 Jesuits holding various administrative, staff, and faculty positions. The university has produced notable alumni, including CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, U.S. governors, members of Congress, Olympic medallists, professional athletes, and award winners in entertainment, literature, and music. The faculty also includes distinguished scholars and researchers who contribute to the university's high-level research activities.
LMU offers a wide range of academic programmes, including 55 major and 58 minor undergraduate programmes, 47 master's degree programmes, and several doctoral programmes. The university comprises several colleges and schools, including the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, the College of Business Administration, and the School of Film and Television. LMU is also the parent school to Loyola Law School, the first ABA-accredited law school in California with a mandatory pro bono requirement.
The Human Condition: A Catholic Union
You may want to see also
Explore related products

LMU's commitment to diversity and inclusion
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a Catholic university that has been an incubator of imagination and new ideas for over a century. LMU is institutionally committed to Roman Catholicism and draws inspiration from the heritage of the Jesuits, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
The university invites persons of diverse talents, interests, and cultural backgrounds to enrich its educational community. LMU's commitment to diversity and inclusion is deeply ingrained in the way its community lives, learns, and works. The university's values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are reflected in its strategic plan, which was developed collaboratively and transparently with the participation of hundreds in the LMU community.
LMU defines diversity as community members with variations of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status. The university promotes inclusive excellence, which means fully integrating values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of its work and functioning. LMU encourages inclusive pedagogy, a student-centred approach to teaching that pays attention to the varied backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities of all learners in a class. The university also supports interculturalism, which involves challenging self-segregation tendencies by sharing and learning across cultures to promote understanding, equity, harmony, and justice in a diverse society.
To promote equity, LMU provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The university also offers universal design for learning (UDL), a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Additionally, LMU is committed to becoming a national leader in anti-racist institutional and educational practices. The university aims to increase the diversity of its students, faculty, staff, and administrative leadership, with a particular focus on increasing BIPOC representation. LMU also invites and challenges its community members to engage and commit collectively to anti-racism.
Blessing a Catholic Home: A Guide to House Blessings
You may want to see also
Explore related products

LMU's scholarships and financial aid
Loyola Marymount University (LMU), is a private Catholic university based in Los Angeles, California. With a strong commitment to its religious roots, the university offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to make its education accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Scholarships at LMU:
LMU offers a range of scholarships for incoming freshmen and transfer students. These scholarships are primarily merit-based and are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership qualities, and a commitment to the university's values. Here are some of the key scholarships on offer:
- Regents' Scholars Program: This is LMU's most prestigious scholarship, providing full tuition, room, and board for four years. Regents' Scholars are selected based on their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service.
- Presidential Scholars Program: Presidential Scholars receive significant financial support, typically covering full tuition for four years. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to LM U's mission and values.
- Trustee Scholars Program: Trustee Scholars are awarded substantial scholarships, typically covering half the cost of tuition. This scholarship recognizes students with strong academic records and a dedication to community service and leadership.
- LMU Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and range in amount, providing support for tuition and other expenses.
In addition to these prominent programs, LMU also offers various other scholarships with specific criteria, including scholarships for students with financial need, those from certain geographical areas, and those with particular talents or interests.
Financial Aid at LMU:
LMU is committed to making its education affordable and accessible, and thus offers need-based financial aid to those who qualify. The university participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program and offers need-based grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. Here's an overview:
- Need-Based Grants: LMU provides need-based grants to students who demonstrate financial need. The amount of grant assistance varies and is determined by the student's financial situation.
- Federal Work-Study Program: This program provides students with part-time employment opportunities to help meet their financial needs. Students can work on campus or at approved off-campus locations, earning money to contribute to their educational expenses.
- Federal and Private Loans: LMU participates in federal loan programs, including Stafford, Perkins, and PLUS loans. Additionally, private loans are available through various lenders to help bridge any remaining financial gaps.
To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. These applications help determine a student's financial need and eligibility for various forms of assistance. LMU's financial aid office then creates a customized financial aid package for each student, combining scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans to meet their demonstrated need.
In conclusion, LMU, as a Catholic institution, strives to embody the values of its religious heritage by providing access to a quality education for all qualified students, regardless of financial means. Through a combination of generous scholarships and need-based financial aid, LMU ensures that its students have the support they need to pursue their academic goals and make a positive impact on the world.
The Catholic Church's Stance on Homosexual Marriages
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Loyola Marymount University is a Catholic research university rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount (Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary) traditions. It was formed in 1973 when Loyola University and Marymount College officially merged.
Loyola Marymount University has a student population that is 50% Catholic and a faculty population that is 25% Catholic. The university also has a sorority and fraternity community consisting of 20 chapters – 10 sororities and 10 fraternities. More than 1,500 students (25% of the total campus population) are part of the Greek community.
While Loyola Marymount University is a Catholic college, students need not be Catholic or religious to attend and thrive. However, some religious courses are required, and campus ministries and weekend liturgies are available and visible. Non-Catholic students might find certain aspects of the college experience challenging, both in the classroom and outside socially.











































