We began as a nonprofit, private educational institution with just six students in 1966, when a visionary group of local educators resolved to address the need for educational programs geared toward the working adult. With an eye to broadening the community’s access to a top-notch education in law, UWLA was born.

Since its inception, UWLA has been dedicated to providing opportunities to driven individuals looking for an affordable and superior education.

Our Law School became accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California in 1978. It has been continuously accredited since that date.

In 1971, UWLA created a Paralegal program that offered a bachelors and certificate program which ran until 2006, when it acquired by another institution.

In July 2002, the law school expanded by acquiring the San Fernando Valley College of Law, located in Chatsworth. Now we operate this campus for School of Law and School of Business.

In 2013, we created our graduate program which later became our Business School. This graduate program became ideal for those who recognize the value of receiving cutting-edge information to achieve business dominance.

In 2014, we initiated various partnerships overseas, and one of particular note in China. As our students come from diverse backgrounds and cultures from all over the world, we began to understand that the UWLA mission and message of an exceptional learning environment used to acquire skills, knowledge, legal and business experience, was resonating around the world. We continue to build our educational international relationships on a daily basis.

In 2016, a new School of Business bachelors program was created to help our students not only develop intellectual, social and personal development, but gain the business acumen and practical skills needed to be hired by a wide range of business professionals around the world.

Today, UWLA is a premier institution of higher learning, and accredited through WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) so we can continue to produce intelligent, well-educated, successful people who value a superior education, want to serve their communities and who see themselves as agents of change.

Our mission and long, rich history, traditions, and methodologies, have all been created to provide you a wide variety of high-quality programs that will help you reach your professional goals—both in-class and at home.