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The Liberal Arts in L.A.

Where Theory Meets Practice

Situated on a 120-acre residential campus in the heart of Los Angeles, Occidental integrates the liberal arts with the cultural and intellectual resources of a global city. Oxy’s location provides a springboard for putting theory into practice and ideas into action. Excellence, equity, community and service have long been the basis for the College's commitment to producing thoughtful and engaged citizens who make a profound difference whatever path they follow. Our distinctive approach fosters both the fulfillment of individual aspirations and a deeply rooted commitment to the public good. It’s an education that is distinctly Oxy.

Distinctive Academic Programs

We provide a gifted, diverse group of students with a total educational experience of the highest quality, preparing them for leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world.

Â鶹ƵµÀand L.A: Intimate Scale, Infinite Scope

Â鶹ƵµÀgives its students the best of both worlds: the intimacy of a residential campus plus access to the educational, cultural and recreational resources of a global city.
Â鶹ƵµÀstudents decorating the wishing tree at Orientation

Access, Equity & Justice

For more than three decades, Â鶹ƵµÀhas striven to embrace diversity of all kinds. By meeting the full demonstrated need of every student, Â鶹ƵµÀseeks to provide access to talented students of all backgrounds. The College’s Equity and Justice Agenda acknowledges the work yet to be done and the Â鶹ƵµÀcommunity’s commitment to continuing leadership in this critically important area.

Student and her lab professor

STEM & the Liberal Arts

The sciences and mathematics have always been central to an Â鶹ƵµÀeducation, with the same Interdisciplinary, research-based approach that informs the rest of the curriculum—from cognitive science and biochemistry to computer science. The new genomics center in the Anderson Center for Environmental Sciences unites Oxy’s world-class museum collections with cutting-edge DNA technology.

student at graduation

Springboard to Success

The skills inculcated by an Â鶹ƵµÀliberal arts education—critical thinking, creative problem-solving, effective communication, the ability to negotiate difference—are essential in the modern economy. The best evidence of this fact is the success of our alumni: as scientists and changemakers, CEOs and Oscar winners, authors and Imagineers, and even as of the United States. We measure our success through assessment of the institutional learning outcomes and objectives of the urban liberal arts experience.