WESTERN COVENANT UNIVERSITY was founded in 2004 by Dr. Frank F. Turner as a theological university that provides undergraduate and graduate programs in Religion and Theism Studies. WCU received the approval to operate from the State of California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Dr. Frank F. Turner is the university’s founding and first president; and he served until 2006. 

In early 2005, the university established its second teaching campus in San Diego, California. A few months later, the main campus was moved to Summit Valley, California. The university became California’s institution of religious learning. However, after 2 years of operation, unexpected circumstances that were beyond the control and authority of the university happened; and this has resulted for the university to be inactive for a few years.

In 2014, Dr. David Oh felt a spiritual calling to revive the university. Thus, Dr. Oh began to lead WESTERN COVENANT UNIVERSITY in Los Angeles, California as a mission-oriented university. Dr. David Oh was then installed as the second president and the chief executive officer of the university. The university, although mission-oriented, started to offer undergraduate business and information technology programs, and graduate programs in religion; with its location in 1930 Wilshire Boulevard.

In 2015, the university was moved to a bigger and better location to accommodate the increasing number of enrolments. The new location in 680 Wilshire Place was more suitable for most students because of its accessibility and safe neighborhood. Because of President Oh’s dedication and unparalleled leadership, the university has been striving towards providing a Christ-centered education for the next generation. The improved quality of education, along with the university’s distinguished and friendly faculty members, plus the very helpful staff, resulted to the university in gaining recognition among local and international students.

In April 2016, WESTERN COVENANT UNIVERSITY received the approval from the United States Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to issue I-20 for qualified international students. This was a big move for the university because it opened doors for international student admissions, aid international students to qualify for international student visas (F-1), and most of all, contribute to the American economy by promoting educational tourism in the country. The influx of international admissions requires a much bigger teaching facility, and much better learning environment for the university’s multicultural population. Hence, on the 1st of July in 2022, the university moved to a new campus, and its current address, in 3333 Wilshire Boulevard.

Two years after, WESTERN COVENANT UNIVERSITY was nominated for accreditation and gained its candidacy status with the prestigious national accreditation board for Christians Colleges and Schools, the Transnational Association of Christian

Colleges and Schools (TRACS). And then in the year 2020, WCU received its full accreditation and membership with TRACS.

A year after, in 2021, WESTERN COVENANT UNIVERSITY gained approval to offer nationally-accredited business and computer undergraduate programs. Thus, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (B.A.B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programs (B.S.C.S.) were opened. At present, WCU has an estimated 117 enrolled international students in the undergraduate programs; of which 89% are studying in the B.A.B.A.

In the last quarter of 2022, once again, WCU received another fortunate news. This time, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with tracks on Global Business and in Information Technology and Systems Management is approved together with the Distance Education Program. 

In the Summer Quarter of 2023, WCU opened and offered classes for the MBA program. Plus, all programs are available for the Distance Education Mode of Learning.