Our History

Loma Linda University's rich history of providing health care in the community began with the inception of the Schools of Medicine and Nursing in 1909. The need for quality health care expanded into the area of behavioral health in the mid-1950s, when Loma Linda University (then known as the College of Medical Evangelists) began to formally address the behavioral health needs of the community in an academic setting. Well ahead of its time, Loma Linda University established the Master of Arts in Family Life Education and the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy in the autumn of 1954. The MFT program is now one of several degree programs housed in the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences.

During the mid-1970s, the university increased its emphasis on the importance of whole person care, focusing on a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to working with clients. The university subsequently expanded its behavioral health care programs to include the Department of Psychology and the Department of Social Work and Social Ecology in order to meet the needs of the community.

Our Mission

The mission of the School of Behavioral Health is "to provide a spiritually supportive context for teaching, clinical practice, and research innovation that pursues integrative behavioral health aimed at reducing health disparities and promoting social justice in a global context locally and globally."

This mission is underpinned by Loma Linda University's commitment to the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Transformation of a student is seen as an integral part of the learning process which encourages the highest levels of scholarship, professionalism, and spiritual well-being. This pursuit encourages a greater understanding and promotion of healthy minds, families, communities, and social systems.

University Mission & Values

Mission-Focused Learning

  • Fosters the highest commitment to analytical and critical thinking
  • Advocates the highest ethical and professional standards of practice and care
  • Values the creation of new knowledge and the faithful transmission of best practices within professional and scientific disciplines
  • Provides a learner-centered educational environment that facilitates the absorption of knowledge; perfection of skills, blending of evidence-based decision-making with transformative learning events ("teachable moments")
  • Sustains a culture of service to all others (especially the underserved)
  • Transforms lives through service and the pursuit of wisdom

Mission-Focused Learning Graphic

Our Local Impact

The professional degree programs in the School of Behavioral Health have a long and impressive heritage of serving the people and organizations of the Inland Empire. Over 3,000 graduates from the School's programs have, according to local public providers, "changed the context of professional practice in the Inland Empire."

Regardless of the degree program, students are provided with content and advanced clinical learning experiences that reflect the current practice and professional knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes needed for competent practice in behavioral health including, but not limited to:

  • Professional and personal self-care
  • Ethical and professional standards of conduct and behavior
  • Legal and statutory mandates affecting practice
  • Clinical knowledge shared and specific to disciplines
  • Therapeutic and reflective use of self
  • Analytical methods supporting scholarship and the integration of science and practice in the development of new knowledge and improved services
  • Professional communication and presentation skills
  • Strengths perspectives supporting resiliency- and trauma-informed care, recovery, wellness, and anti-stigma
  • Respect for all aspects of human diversity
  • Integration of behavioral health into primary care
  • A global context of behavioral health practice
  • Collegial and collaborative team practice
  • A commitment to continuous professional development, service, and lifelong learning