NAIA Schools In California: The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is an organization that represents lesser-known collegiate athletic programs that use athletics to teach valuable life lessons to their students.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which governs college sports, wants to ensure that students put schoolwork ahead of other activities.
This article provides a summary of the eighteen California universities participating in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) competitions, as well as information about the requirements for admissions, degree completion times, and other helpful tips from prospective student-athletes may find useful.
Admission requirements for NAIA Schools in California
- Application fee
- Letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- Standardized Tests Score (SAT or ACT)
- High school diploma or its equivalent
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
- Financial aid application (For financial aid applicants)
How long does it take to complete NAIA schools in California?
At NAIA schools in California, you may earn a bachelor’s degree in four years, whereas a master’s degree requires an additional year or two.
NAIA Schools in California
California has eighteen NAIA institutions, and they are:
1. California State University-Maritime:
The cadet-athletes of California State University, Maritime, benefit academically and athletically from the efforts of the department of athletics and physical education, which places a premium on the university’s goal.
Cadet-athletes may improve their physical and social skills while still participating in intercollegiate athletics, making it a win-win situation for their development as future leaders.
The university’s athletic teams are called the Keelhaulers, and they majorly compete in the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac).
2. California University of Merced:
The California University of Merced was founded in 2005 and aims for excellence in research, teaching, and service to the community. The university is one of the top NAIA schools in California.
The university promotes diversity among its students and staff. The athletics department inspires student-athletes to strive for success in their athletics while being servant leaders.
The university’s athletic team are called the Bobcats, and they compete in the California Pacific Conference.
3. Hope International University:
Hope International University is a private Christian university that provides students with Christian higher education to change the world positively for Christ.
The athletics department enhances the mission of the University by producing student-athletes with the drive to use athletics to change their world positively for Christ.
The university athletics teams are called the Royals, and they majorly compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC).
4. La Sierra University (Riverside, CA)
The athletic department of La Sierra University develops student-athletes who are committed to creating positive impacts in their communities while achieving success in the athletic arena.
The intercollegiate athletic teams of the university are called the Golden Eagles, and they majorly compete in the California Pacific Conference.
5. Life Pacific University:
The athletics department at Life Pacific University promotes the mission of the university through discipline, morality, and a Christ-like character in intercollegiate competitions.
The university’s intercollegiate athletic teams are known as the Warriors, and they compete primarily in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
6. Menlo College
The athletics department aims to enhance the college experience by producing servant leaders through its intercollegiate athletics program. The college is one of the top NAIA schools in California.
The department offers quality athletic programs with a talented coaching staff who recruit student-athletes with strong characters, leadership skills, and are devoted to their academics and athletics.
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7. Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College is a private Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The athletics department prepares its student-athletes to participate with purpose in their chosen sport and to be servant-leaders on and off the field.
The athletic teams of the college are called the Pioneers, and they mainly compete in the California Pacific Conference.
8. Providence Christian College
Providence Christian College is a reformed Christian college to develop students educated in the liberal arts, groomed in the biblical truth and engaged in their community and the world at large.
The athletics department adheres to the mission of the college by producing student-athletes who are servant-leaders on an off the field and excel in their academics as well as their athletics.
9. San Diego Christian College
San Diego Christian College is a private Christian college. The college provides students with a unique education that challenges them and grows their faith in Christ.
The athletics department motivates student-athletes through sports and helps them improve their skills so they can do good things in the world.
The athletic team of the college are called the Hawks, and they majorly compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
10. Simpson University
Simpson University is a private Christian university focused on inspiring students of character, strong minds, faith, and commitment to community service and positively impacting the world.
The athletics department has a passion to develop student-athletes who strive to attain their goals through creative education and transformative athletics.
The Red Hawks compete in the California Pacific Conference, the Cascade Collegiate Conference for wrestling and the Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference for swimming and diving.
11. Soka University of America
The Soka University of America is a private liberal arts university with Buddhist principles. The university is one of the top NAIA schools in California.
The university is open to people of all faiths and traditions and also to people who have no traditions, promoting diversity and inclusion in its community.
Moreover, the athletics department of the university transforms its student-athletes into servant-leaders, serving their communities through sports.
The university’s athletic teams are known as the Lions, and they compete primarily in the California Pacific Conference.
12. The Master’s University
The Master’s University is a Christian university committed to Christ, biblical loyalty and moral uprightness.
The school aims to develop students with the drive to grow intellectually, and excel in academics, athletics and life in general.
Moreover, the athletics department pushes its student-athletes to be the best at what they do while training them by the school’s mission of Christ and integrity.
The athletic teams of the university are called the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs and they majorly compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference while the swimming teams compete in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference.
13. University of Antelope Valley
The athletics department at the University of Antelope Valley offers its student-athletes the opportunity to pursue and showcase their qualities through academics, athletics and community service.
The athletic teams of the university are called the Pioneers, and they majorly compete in the California Pacific Conference.
14. University of Saint Katherine
The University of Saint Katherine is an Orthodox Christian university of science and liberal arts. The university is renowned country-wide for its unique active academic applications.
The athletic team of the university are called the Firebirds, and they mainly compete in the California Pacific Conference.
15. Vanguard University
The athletics department at Vanguard University is committed to offering student-athletes athletic programs that foster development and holistic growth, impacting in them Christ-centered values to live by on and off the playing surface.
The department promotes academic and athletic success by creating opportunities for student-athletes to gain the knowledge needed to change their society positively through service to Christ and their community.
The athletic teams of the university are called the Lions, and they majorly compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference, while the men’s and women’s wrestling teams compete in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
16. Westcliff University
Westcliff University aims to inspire, educate, and equip diverse students from all over the world to gain professional and personal success through unique, rigorous, high-quality academic and athletic programs.
The athletic programs focus on student-athlete excellence on and off the sporting surface.
The university’s athletic teams are known as the Warriors, and they compete primarily in the California Pacific Conference.
17. Westmont College
The Westmont College athletics department develops the body, mind, and spirit of its student-athletes through cohesive learning and academic and athletic excellence. The college is one of the top NAIA schools in California.
The athletic teams of the college are called the Warriors, and they majorly compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference, while its women’s swimming team competes in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference.
18. William Jessup University
The athletics program at William Jessup University transforms student-athletes to be servant-leaders, committed to community service and succeeding in their chosen sports field.
The athletic team of the university are called the Warriors and they majorly compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference.
Tips for excelling in NAIA Schools
1. Work with a schedule
A student-athlete should establish and maintain a regular daily or weekly program.
Keeping on top of your responsibilities and staying on target when you have a lot on your plate can be difficult, but you can help yourself out by setting clear deadlines and setting reminders.
It’s much easier to excel in school and on the field when you have a plan in place to deal with any potential distractions.
2. Find a study partner
The benefits of having a study partner include increased learning and improved academic performance.
Whether you’re attempting to finish a project or prepare for a test, having a friend to lean on can only help.
Having a classmate or other student as a study partner is a great way to hold each other accountable for achieving your academic and extracurricular goals.
3. Utilize campus resources
There are generally numerous athletes enrolled at each NAIA institution. Therefore, a wide variety of resources may be available to you.
Writing laboratories, libraries, archives, and peer tutoring are just some of the tools offered on campus to help students succeed.
In addition, student athletes’ coaches and advisers work together with other campus teams to build the players’ positive support networks.
Student-athletes owe a great deal to their mentors for both their academic and athletic growth. You shouldn’t be scared to use these tools because they will most likely be offered at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions on NAIA Schools In California
There are two organizations that oversee college sports: the NCAA and the NAIA.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which is based in Kansas City, Missouri, is in charge of small intercollegiate sports programs that focus on building character.
NJCAA schools are 2-years. Then you transfer to a 4-year school (NCAA, NAIA). Soccer often rivals NAIA and NCAA Division 2.
NAIA clubs aren’t as well-known as NCAA teams, yet they produce big-league talent. The Baseball Cube says 155 NAIA players have been drafted since 2015. Drafting doesn’t guarantee a spot in The Show.
Conclusion
Many of the nation’s top NAIA colleges may be found in the Golden State. Student-athletes are given the greatest academic opportunities available with the use of state-of-the-art classroom technology.
Many of these top institutions regularly send athletes to compete at the national level. Prospective students must satisfy the aforementioned criteria to be accepted into these universities.
Eighteen of the best NAIA schools are located in California, making it a fantastic option for any ambitious athlete.
However, if you are serious about being the greatest athlete you can be, you need to stick to a rigorous training regimen and eat healthily.
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