ABOUT
Our Mission
Advancing the evangelical mission of the Catholic Church entrusted to her by Christ through the formation of scientists, engineers, and technology leaders with expertise in business, communications, and theology.
Our Vision
Our primary goal is top job placement in business and polytechnic careers.
We hope to place at least 85% of Catholic Polytechnic graduates in career-driven business, science, or tech jobs or graduate schools. We have designed our curriculum to instill critical thinking and writing skills; deeper faith, understanding, and appreciation of Catholic theology; business skills; general knowledge of several polytechnic fields; and expertise in at least one polytechnic field.
Our Four Pillars
Science & Technology Degrees. American Patriotism. Faithful Catholicism. Academic Freedom.
Catholic Polytechnic firmly upholds the compatibility and complementarity of faith and science, and appreciation for the relationship between these is at the heart of the university culture. We seek to form students in the awe-inspiring tradition of countless Catholic scientists and engineers who have shaken the world with their discoveries. Most of our professors are chosen for both their STEM career excellence and devotion to Christ.
Our Story
In 2016, Mr. Christopher Plance, theology teacher and graduate of Franciscan University, incorporated a school called Saint Junipero Serra University with the goal of creating a faithfully Catholic university based in Los Angeles, CA. At the same time, Dr. Jennifer Nolan began to develop a vision for a polytechnic Catholic university with STEM degrees. In 2019, Plance and Nolan joined forces and renamed Saint Junipero Serra University to Catholic Polytechnic University, reflecting a shared vision of a faithfully Catholic school that would offer degrees to an underserved sector of Catholic STEM students. Nolan became the president at this time. In 2020, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez granted his approval, blessing, and letter of support to the leadership team. That fall, we offered our inaugural Cybersecurity course to a class of online students. In 2021, after creating curriculum and infrastructure, CPU formally submitted the licensing application package to the Bureau for Private and Post-Secondary Education (BPPE) to become a university and offer B.S. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science. In 2022, with the board of directors' approval, we launched the subsidiary Catholic Polytechnic Institute with a focus on conducting science and engineering research in cutting-edge areas, such as high performance computing, meta learning cognition, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. In December 2023, we received formal approval from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to offer a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in Computer Science. In Fall 2024, we began offering courses through an online academy to high school students, instructing in PreCalculus and Theology. In Fall 2025, doors opened for classes for the BS and MS in Computer Science.
Mode of Education
Catholic Polytechnic is currently offering a 100% remote online education, ideal for potential students who require flexibility. However, we are excited to announce our plan to be in-person within the next two years.
Our school, nestled in the heart of beautiful Southern California, is located on the campus of Holy Family Catholic Church in Glendale, CA. The Blessed Virgin Mary Faith Formation building holds our office and classrooms. We are proud to say our school facility sports an office, classrooms, chemistry labs, a library, a gym, an event hall, music and dance rooms, outdoor seating, and basketball courts. Our beautiful Holy Family Chapel is fully open to students, providing an opportunity for them to nourish their spiritual and sacramental lives, in keeping with our Catholic vision.
Our Beautiful Campus
We plan to be in-person and on-campus within the next two years.
The HOLY FAMILY CHAPEL
Tuition Details
Our tuition is currently donation-based.
Due to the generosity of our donors, we are pleased to be able to provide an education for which our students pay whatever they can. We care for our students and reject the idea that accumulating debt is necessary to obtain a higher education. We ask only for a monthly donation, with the amount determined by our students' ability to give.
Catholic Polytechnic in the News
“New LA-area Catholic university gets state approval” Angelus News, January 2024.
“Forming a massive hub of Catholic intellectual thought,” In the Forum with Sheila Liaugminas, Episode 22. February 24, 2021.
Formation of Young Catholics in Faith...and Science Inside the Vatican Magazine, March-April, 2021.
Women in Science Day The Drew Mariani Show on Relevant Radio, February 19, 2021.
The Catholic Current Podcasts July 18, 2019, and Jan 27, 2021.
Integrating Faith & Science at Catholic Polytechnic University Inside the Vatican Magazine, October 13, 2020.
The Catholic Polytechnic University Will Start by Launching a Cybersecurity Course this Fall IBL News, July 2, 2020.
Undivided Intention with Jeff Schiefelbein on Guadalupe Radio Network, September 20, 2020.
Can a scientist and homeschool mom build a college? Purpose Nation Podcast, Episode 27 - February 21, 2020.
Catholic Polytechnic University with Jennifer Nolan, Ph.D. Wordnet Productions, February 10, 2020.
The Executive Disciple, episodes #42, January 16, 2020 and #43, January 22, 2020.
New Catholic University: Faith and Science - STEM Degree Programs at Catholic Polytechnic University Catholic Business Journal Daily, September 30, 2019.
Who Needs a Catholic Polytechnic University? We Do! The Catholic Current July 18, 2019.