School of Religion

Dean's welcome

Leo Ranzolin, Th.D.

Loma Linda University's School of Religion has been entrusted with the mission of presenting the story of God’s gracious plan to redeem a lost and broken world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The school’s mission, as part of Loma Linda University, is particularly focused on the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ and the role it plays in equipping health-care practitioners to integrate Christian faith, health, and science. The school contributes to the University's mission, vision, and values by giving priority to the sacred task of serving students in its eight schools, as well as San Manuel Gateway College. Its use of mission-focused learning through scholarship expands knowledge and addresses the challenges health-care professionals face in today’s complex world as well as provides a critical service to the University and world-wide Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The school offers three master’s degrees: M.A. degree in bioethics, M.S.Chap. degree in chaplaincy, and M.A. degree in religion and society. These programs prepare graduates with theological education and skills in bioethics and chaplaincy, and emphasize religion’s relationship to culture and society. Within the framework of our academic programs, we offer a unique opportunity for students in other University programs to apply for dual enrollment in bioethics as well as religion and society. Students enrolled in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy are eligible to apply for admission to the bioethics as well as religion and society programs. Please refer to The Combined Degrees Programs of the University section to learn more about our dual enrollment degree programs.

We believe our academically rigorous programs and mission-focused courses cultivate a vibrant Christian community at LLU, and help to prepare health-care practitioners to go forth and “make man whole” as they embody the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Welcome to Loma Linda University School of Religion.

Leo Ranzolin, Th.D.
Dean, School of Religion

 

School foundations

History

In the configuration of Loma Linda University as a health sciences university, the role of religion as integrative in each of the programs of the University is mandated and continuously affirmed by the University administration and the Board of Trustees.

In July of 1990, the Faculty of Religion (now the School of Religion) was established to assist in this integration.

Philosophy

As implied by its motto, "To make man whole," the University affirms these tenets as central to its view of education:

  • God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
  • Humanity's fullest development entails a growing understanding of the individual in relation to both God and society.
  • The quest for truth and professional expertise, in an environment permeated by religious values, benefits the individual and society and advances the ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Mission statement

The School of Religion is committed to continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ by integrating Adventist faith with the world's changing need. 

The program admissions committees of the University intend that an applicant to any of the schools is qualified for the proposed curriculum and is capable of profiting from the educational experience offered by this University. The admissions committees of the schools accomplish this by examining evidence of scholastic competence, moral and ethical standards, and significant qualities of character and personality. Applicants are considered for admission only on the recommendation of the program in which study is desired.

In addition to Loma Linda University admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

  • A four-year baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited college or university is a prerequisite for admission to the School of Religion. Transcripts of the applicant's scholastic record should show appropriate preparation, in grades and content, for the curriculum chosen.
  • See admission requirements for individual program in this CATALOG for G.P.A. requirements.
  • A personal interview is desirable and should be arranged with the director of the program in which the student wishes to study.
  • Because there is some variation in the pattern of undergraduate courses prescribed by different programs, the student should note the specific requirements of the chosen program. Deficiencies may be removed while enrolled; prerequisites must be completed prior to acceptance into the program.

Application deadlines

The School of Religion has a rolling admission policy for some programs in which completed applications are reviewed and students are accepted on a continual basis. Applications must be completed by the deadlines listed for the program in which the student wishes to enroll:

Master of Arts degree in bioethics and Master of Arts degree in religion and science

  • Autumn Quarter: August 1 — Early Admissions for Autumn: May 1
  • Spring Quarter: February 15 — Early Admissions for Spring: Nov. 1


Masters of Science in Chaplaincy degree

  • Autumn Quarter: November  1 — Late Admissions for Autumn: May 1

Students of the University are responsible for informing themselves of and satisfactorily meeting all regulations pertinent to registration, matriculation, and graduation. Section III gives the general setting for the programs of each school and the subject and unit requirements for admission to individual professional programs. It is important to review specific program requirements in the context of the general requirements applicable to all programs.

Academic probation

Degree students whose cumulative G.P.A. at the end of any quarter is less than 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. The number of units for subsequent registrations is restricted to a maximum of 12 per quarter. Students who are on academic probation and fail to earn a 3.0 for the next quarter, or who fail to have an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 after two quarters, jeopardize their standing in a degree or certificate program and may be dismissed from school.

Concurrent admission

Upon approval, students may be admitted to a School of Religion program while admitted to another program at Loma Linda University. Concurrent programs may be either formal (established curriculum in the University Catalog) or informal.  Certain criteria must be met for both formal and informal concurrent programs before approval.  The exception to this are the combined degrees programs, discussed at the end of Section III of this CATALOG. 

Financial information

The Office of the Dean is the final authority in all financial matters and is charged with the interpretation of all financial policies. Any exceptions to published policy in regard to reduction or reimbursement of tuition must be approved by the dean. Any statement by individual faculty members, program directors, or department chairs in regard to these matters is not binding on the school or the University unless approved by the dean.

Registration is not complete until tuition and fees on the required installments are paid; therefore, the student should be prepared to make these payments during scheduled registration for each academic year. There may be adjustments in tuition and fees as economic conditions warrant.

On- and off-campus student housing

Students may go to llu.edu/central/housing for housing information and a housing application form.

Additional requirements

For additional policies, governing Loma Linda University students, see Section II of this CATALOG, as well as the University Student Handbook. Students are responsible for informing themselves of and satisfactorily meeting all regulations pertinent to registration, matriculation, and graduation.

Dean

Leo Ranzolin

Primary faculty

Whitny Braun

Erik Carter

Janice De-Whyte

Jeff Gang

Theodore N. Levterov

Yi Shen Ma

Jon Paulien

Zdravko Plantak

Randy Roberts

Jeffrey Rosario

Calvin Thomsen

Gerald Winslow

Zane Yi

Associated faculty

David Larson

Richard Rice

Siroj Sorajjakool

James W. Walters

Emeritus professor

Ivan Blazen

David L. Taylor, Jr.

Research professor

Bernard Taylor

Sigve Tonstad