Antioch University-Los Angeles

About Antioch University-Los Angeles

Antioch University-Los Angeles extends the progressive educational tradition of the Antioch name to Southern California, serving approximately 137 students through graduate programs designed for working professionals in the nation's second-largest metropolitan area. Located in Culver City, this private, nonprofit campus provides adult learners access to advanced degrees in psychology, education, leadership, and creative fields while they continue careers and manage family responsibilities. The university's educational philosophy emphasizes social justice, experiential learning, and the integration of personal growth with professional development, preparing graduates to create positive change in their communities and organizations. As part of the Antioch University system, the Los Angeles campus shares heritage with the 1852 founding of Antioch College and Horace Mann's vision of education as a force for individual and social transformation. The acceptance rate of approximately 55% reflects selective graduate admissions that evaluate not only academic credentials but also professional experience, personal statement quality, and alignment with Antioch's distinctive values and approach. The suburban Culver City location situates students in a creative hub adjacent to Hollywood and the entertainment industry, providing unique opportunities for those pursuing psychology, creative writing, and arts administration programs. The low-residency and evening/weekend formats accommodate working adults who cannot abandon careers for full-time campus-based study, making graduate education accessible to professionals throughout the Los Angeles basin and beyond.

Admission to Antioch University-Los Angeles graduate programs assesses applicants through holistic review that considers academic preparation, professional experience, personal statement quality, and fit with the university's progressive values and educational approach. The approximately 55% acceptance rate reflects selective admissions to programs that seek students who will thrive in self-directed, values-driven education rather than those simply meeting minimum qualifications. Application requirements typically include official transcripts from previous institutions, personal statements addressing interest in specific programs and alignment with Antioch's mission, professional resumes documenting relevant experience, and letters of recommendation from professional and academic contacts. Psychology programs may require additional materials including autobiographical statements and interviews that assess personal readiness for therapeutic work and cultural competence. The MFA in creative writing requires writing samples demonstrating creative ability and potential for development. Work experience often weighs significantly in admissions, reflecting the university's focus on practitioners who bring professional context to their studies. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency and complete credential evaluation for degrees earned abroad. The admissions process includes financial aid counseling to help prospective students understand costs and options before committing to enrollment. Rolling admissions allow applications throughout the year, though cohort-based programs begin at specified times that students should confirm with admissions counselors.

Antioch University-Los Angeles offers master's and doctoral programs in clinical psychology, education, creative writing, and leadership designed around the needs and schedules of working adults. The clinical psychology programs prepare students for licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) and Professional Clinical Counselors, with curricula that address individual, couple, family, and group therapy while emphasizing cultural competence and social justice perspectives particularly relevant in diverse Los Angeles. The PsyD in clinical psychology provides doctoral-level training for those seeking the highest credentials in psychological practice. The MFA in creative writing attracts writers from throughout Southern California and nationally, offering low-residency format that combines intensive residencies with mentored independent work on creative projects in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Education programs serve teachers and administrators seeking advanced credentials and deeper engagement with progressive, equity-focused educational practice. Leadership programs prepare professionals for organizational and community leadership with attention to sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility. The low-residency format structures most programs around periodic intensive sessions combined with online coursework and mentored practice, while some programs offer evening and weekend options for local students. Faculty members combine academic credentials with professional practice experience, connecting scholarly learning to real-world application. The emphasis on self-directed learning and portfolio-based assessment prepares students for professional practice rather than purely academic advancement.

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Suburban campus with easy access to city resources
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at Antioch University-Los Angeles reflects the institution's focus on graduate education for working adults rather than traditional residential campus experiences. Students typically balance coursework with full-time careers, family responsibilities, and community involvement, making peer connections during class sessions, residency intensives, and online interactions rather than through dormitory life or campus activities. The Culver City location provides convenient access for students throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area, with parking and transit options that accommodate commuting patterns. During residency periods for low-residency programs, students gather for intensive days of classes, workshops, readings, and community building before returning to their regular lives and independent study. The cohort model creates bonds among students progressing through programs together, with many graduates maintaining professional and personal connections established during their studies. Online platforms extend community between in-person sessions, allowing peer support, faculty interaction, and collaborative projects that keep students connected despite geographic dispersion. The Culver City and greater Los Angeles environment offers virtually unlimited options for entertainment, dining, cultural exploration, and recreation when students have leisure time, though the demands of graduate study alongside work and family typically limit such opportunities. Student services address the particular needs of adult learners, including academic advising, career counseling, writing support, and resources for managing the multiple demands graduate students face. The campus community celebrates diversity and progressive values consistent with Antioch heritage.

Location & Surroundings

Culver City, California, positions Antioch University-Los Angeles in a dynamic creative hub within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. This city of approximately 40,000 residents has emerged as a center for entertainment, technology, and creative industries, with major studios, production companies, and tech firms maintaining significant presence. The campus's location adjacent to Hollywood and the broader entertainment industry creates unique opportunities for students in creative writing, arts administration, and related fields who seek connections to media production and storytelling industries. The greater Los Angeles area extends virtually unlimited resources for internships, field placements, clinical training sites, and professional networking across psychology, education, and leadership fields. Public transportation including Metro lines provides alternatives to driving, though Los Angeles remains primarily automobile-oriented and many students commute from throughout the sprawling metropolitan region. The Mediterranean climate features mild winters and warm, dry summers that allow year-round outdoor activity, though air quality varies and traffic congestion affects daily life. The diversity of Los Angeles provides context for Antioch's emphasis on multicultural competence and social justice, with students encountering communities from virtually every background in their clinical, educational, and professional work. Cultural offerings from world-class museums to neighborhood galleries, professional sports to community theaters, international dining to local favorites create endless options beyond academic life.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Antioch University-Los Angeles operates as a tuition-dependent private institution with graduate program costs reflecting the intensive faculty engagement, small cohort sizes, and specialized programming that characterize Antioch education. Tuition is assessed per credit hour, with total program costs varying by degree type and credit requirements, and students should request current rates from the admissions office. The low-residency and part-time formats allow students to maintain employment income during their studies, though residency travel and accommodation add expenses beyond tuition. Living in Los Angeles requires careful budgeting given the high cost of housing, transportation, and general living expenses in the metropolitan area. Financial aid includes federal student loans for eligible programs, employer tuition reimbursement accessed by many working professionals, and limited institutional scholarships. The financial aid office assists students in exploring all available options. Career outcomes for Antioch-Los Angeles graduates reflect program orientations and the Los Angeles professional landscape. Psychology graduates pursue licensure as MFTs and LPCCs, establishing private practices or joining agencies serving the mental health needs of diverse Los Angeles communities. Creative writing graduates publish in literary magazines, pursue book publication, work in publishing and media, and teach at various levels. Education graduates advance in teaching, administration, and educational leadership positions. Leadership graduates apply learning across nonprofit, corporate, and public sectors. The Antioch network provides connections regionally and nationally, while Los Angeles offers abundant professional opportunities across fields.