Our History
California Prestige University has a rich history of academic excellence and commitment to holistic education. What began as a small educational initiative has grown into a vibrant institution serving students from around the world.
2020'S-Present
•10-year Reaffirmation from ABHE
•Master of Arts in Music from ABHE
•Master of Business Administration from ABHE
•Graduate Certificate of English-Speaking Pastoral Internship from ABHE
•Renamed as “California Prestige University (CPU)” (07.08)
•Dr. Sang Meyng Lee reappointed as President by the Board of Directors
•Doctor of Ministry in Compelling Preaching from ABHE and ATS
•Doctor of Ministry in Ministry Skills for a Thriving Congregation from ABHE and ATS
•Doctor of Counseling Psychology from ABHE
•Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from ABHE
•Master of Divinity in Culturally Competent Pastoral Leadership from ABHE
•Master of Arts in Professional Coaching from ABHE
•Bachelor of Arts in Education from ABHE
•Master of Divinity in Professional Chaplaincy from ABHE
•Master of Divinity in Professional Coaching from ABHE
•Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from ABHE
•Doctor of Intercultural Studies from ABHE
•State Grant from the State of California
•B.A. in Family Counseling from ABHE
•Dr. Sang Meyng Lee reappointed as President by the Board of Directors
•B.A. in Global Business Administration from ABHE (02.12)
•M.A. in Intercultural Studies from ATS (01.31)
2000'S-2010'S
•Accepted as Full Member at ATS (05.05) (ATS approved: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies)
•Approved for VA Benefits by Department of Veterans Affairs (03.19)
•M.A. in Intercultural Studies from ABHE (11.13)
•Ph.D. in Contextual Studies from ABHE
•Approved for Financial Aid (Title IV) from Department of Education (09.12)
•Dr. Sang Meyng Lee reappointed as President by the Board of Directors (05.11)
•Reaccredited by ABHE – 10 years (02.22)
•Opened Santa Fe Language & Culture Center
•Launched Distance Education Program
•Dr. Sang Meyng Lee inaugurated as 6th President
•Dr. Sang Meyng Lee reappointed as President by the Board of Directors
•Accepted as Full Member by ABHE (02.24)
•BPPE reauthorized all degrees (B.Th., M.Th., M.Div., D.Min.), plus English Language Studies Program (ELSP) (01.21)
•Renamed as “Presbyterian Theological Seminary in America” (10.20)
•Moved to new campus at 15605 Carmenita Rd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (05.05)
•Dr. In Soo Kim appointed as 5th President (retired 12.31.2011) (02.12)
•Moved to temporary campus – Dongshin Church
•Renamed as “KPCA College and Theological Seminary” (12.29)
•Re-incorporated as a non-profit institution and renamed as “KPCA Presbyterian Seminary” (09.23)
•Dr. Jung Woon Suh appointed as 4th President (retired 12.31.2007)
1970'S-1990'S
•Renamed as “Korean Presbyterian Church in America Presbyterian Theological Seminary” (04.21)
•BPPVE granted authorization to confer degrees: B.Th., M.Th., M.Div., and D.Min.
•Moved to new campus – 14300 Leffingwell Rd., Whittier
•Pastor Hee Min Park appointed as 3rd President (retired 05.07.2002, died 04.26.2023.)
•BPPE approved B.Th., M.Div. (11.17)
•Re-incorporated as a for-profit corporation; renamed as “KPCA Presbyterian Theological Seminary” (06.20)
•Renamed as “Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Southern California” (04.06)
•Re-incorporated as a non-profit institution; granted non-profit status by the IRS (08.14)
•Incorporated as “Presbyterian School of Theology in Southern California” (02.09)
•Dr. Keyong Kim appointed as 2nd President (Died 09.01.1990. in North Korea)
•Approved as the direct Theology School of KPCA (07.21)
•Dr. Sung Rak Kim appointed as inaugural President; Dr. Keyong Kim appointed as Superintendent (02.05)
•First class of six students opened at “Southern California Presbyterian Theology School” (Young Nak Church, Fairfax) (09.19)
•Opened as “Southern California Presbyterian Theology School” (Young Nak Church, Fairfax) (09.01)
PAST PRESIDENTS
5th President: Kim, In Soo
UnionTheological Seminary inVirginia Richmond,VA (Ph.D.) The Church History Society in Korea, President Institute ofTheological Education of Korea, President
4th President: Suh, Jung Woon
San FranciscoTheological Seminary, San Anselmo, CA (S.T.D.) Korean PresbyterianTheological Seminary, 16th President Korean PresbyterianTheological Seminary, Honorary President
3th President: Park, Hee Min
Toronto School ofTheology,Toronto, Canada (D.Min.) Youngnak Church, 2nd Senior Pastor Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad, 22nd President
2nd President: Kim, Ke Yong
San FranciscoTheological Seminary, San Anselmo, CA (S.T.D.) Korean PresbyterianTheological Seminary, 16th President Korean PresbyterianTheological Seminary, Honorary President
1st President: Kim, Seong Lag
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ (Ph.D.)