Mount Saint Mary’s University

Mission statement

Mount Saint Mary’s University, a Catholic university founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides a dynamic learning experience in the liberal arts and sciences. We are dedicated to providing a superior education enhanced by an emphasis on building leadership skills and fostering a spirit to serve others. Our measure of success is graduates who are committed to using their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their environments, and the world.

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A brief history

Mount Saint Mary’s University was founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJs), a group of bold visionary educators who sought to establish an institution of higher learning where women could become leaders dedicated to service, justice and knowledge. Rooted in a rich history that dates back to 1650 in Le Puy, France, CSJs have always been trailblazers. Our past, present and future are shaped by the mission of the sisters – to respond to the needs of the times.

Today, Mount Saint Mary’s is the only women’s university in Los Angeles and one of the most transformative in the nation. The Mount is recognized nationally for its academic quality, research on women and girls in California, innovative health and science programs, empowerment of women and leadership development.

In 1928, the Sisters purchased 36 acres that stretched among the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains, which would become the Chalon Campus. Today, the Chalon Campus houses most of the University’s traditional undergraduate programs and the first women’s leadership program established in the western United States.

In 1962, the University expanded to its second campus on the historic Doheny Estate near downtown Los Angeles. The Doheny Campus is home to the Mount’s graduate degree programs, associate in arts programs, education credential program, and the Weekend/Evening & Online College.

The University has graduated more than 24,000 students. Mount Saint Mary’s graduates are engaged, active, global citizens who use their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their communities and the world.