Welcome to Chapman University

The mission of Chapman University is to provide a personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical and productive lives as global citizens.

More than ever before, Chapman University is an exciting place to spend your undergraduate years. This is because Chapman is what I like to call a “big/small” school. We are big in terms of the choices you can make. Yet we are small in terms of the ways we work together and know each other; in the ways being at Chapman can make you feel effective as an individual; and, just as importantly, make you feel at home.

What’s big about Chapman is that we offer a wide variety of majors and pre-professional programs normally found only at larger, public institutions. In addition, our undergraduates are exposed to the intellectual contributions of the outstanding faculty in our graduate programs, including nationally-accredited programs in business, physical therapy, music, food science and nutrition, and our School of Law, which has received provisional accreditation by the American Bar Association. We have a unique mix of graduate and undergraduate programs that enrich each other through campus events, student/faculty research opportunities, and the synergy of the interaction of students and professors at all stages of their intellectual careers.

What’s small about this university is the personalized nature of a Chapman education. The mission of Chapman University focuses on the concept of personalized education. That means at Chapman you will truly be treated as an individual. Professors will know you by name; many will give you their home phone numbers. When they hear about an internship or opportunity that is ideally suited to you and your interests, they’ll give you a call.

From the moment you arrive on campus in the tranquil city of Orange, you will discover what it means to enjoy the advantages of both big and small. Though the city of Orange is small and inviting, it is also part of the vibrant larger community that is both Orange County and Southern California.

Of course, many undergraduates are undecided about their field of study or their career plans. Many may someday find themselves in careers that do not yet exist. Thus we seek to provide you with a balance of the applied knowledge of a specialist and the general knowledge of a liberal education. And we are committed to helping you learn to think clearly and to communicate effectively as you also learn to
appreciate divergent points of view and make informed ethical judgments.

Given our commitment to these educational challenges, and our truly unique “big/small” environment, Chapman is indeed an exciting place to be. We look forward to you joining our community of learners.

James L. Doti

President