“Circumstances typically considered obstacles to obtaining a four-year degree have proven inspiring to me...I've gained a breadth of experiences that will aid in my career.”

— Denise Bowers
Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University is located six miles south of Tacoma, in suburban Parkland, on a 126-acre woodland campus. PLU offers more than 3,600 students a unique blend of academically rigorous liberal arts and professional programs. Students develop skills in decision making, analysis, communication and reasoning that prepare them for a lifetime of success — both in their careers and in service to others.

There are a number of reasons why students choose PLU, including a full range of liberal arts academic programs — such as psychology, history and the natural sciences — anchored by a college of arts and sciences. The university also provides students the opportunity for professional study in business, education, nursing, social work and physical education. Each of these programs maintains a strong liberal arts emphasis at its core. Master's degrees are offered in business, education, marriage and family therapy, nursing, and writing.

In addition, PLU is committed to developing in all students a global perspective including an understanding of the intercultural and intellectual richness of the world. More than 40 percent of students spend time studying abroad.

The university was founded in 1890 by Scandinavian immigrants. Throughout its history PLU has remained closely affiliated with the Lutheran church and is now a university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Given the combination of rigorous academics, delivered in a friendly, personalized environment, it's easy to see why PLU is the only Northwest university to be listed every year within the top 15 Western region universities in the “Best Colleges” survey, published annually by U.S. News & World Report.

Global Studies The Global Studies Program aims to encourage and enable students to achieve global literacy defined as a multidisciplinary approach to contending perspectives on global problems, their historical origins, and their possible solutions. To this end, the Global Studies program offers courses and experiences designed to equip students with the factual knowledge and analytical skills necessary to comprehend, and engage with, foundational questions of global analysis (e.g., the commonalities and variations between human cultures), identifiable global themes (e.g., war and peace, economic development, globalization and trade, environmental sustainability), and the specifics of particular contemporary global problems (e.g., regional conflicts, weapons proliferation, environmental degradation, movement for political integration and autonomy, the AIDS crisis).

Environmental Studies The mission of the Environmental Studies Program at Pacific Lutheran University is to lay the foundation for an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to address environmental problems. The program embraces the broad liberal arts objectives of the university and prepares students for professions in environmental fields. Students develop grounding in science, an understanding of institutional processes, an appreciation of values, beauty, and holistic thinking, and a solid foundation in various methodologies and skills. The setting of PLU in the Pacific Northwest is ideal for the study of the environment. The northwest is a region striving to balance between the pressures of population growth and the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. Students have the opportunity to explore local, regional and global issues with community experts who are actively involved in dealing with these issues.

Geosciences Pacific Lutheran University offers a unique setting for the study of geosciences. The natural environments of the Pacific Northwest region are unsurpassed in providing a rich variety of geologic field studies. Geoscience is a multidisciplinary field and we offer two majors and minor in Geosciences. We also teach many classes for non-science majors at the university. The student/faculty ratio in geosciences at PLU allows students to work closely with faculty in classes, laboratories, and field studies. Geoscience is a multidisciplinary field, including courses in geology, oceanography, environmental geology, and conservation of natural resources. It provides students with the opportunity to deal with a broad range of scientific challenges and experiences.

Nursing The School of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University is a professional school that combines nursing science with a strong foundation in the natural sciences and liberal arts. This selective program prepares undergraduate students as skilled generalists so they may later seek advanced practice in specific specialties. The program provides an excellent foundation for clinical practice, as well as for preparing qualified graduates to enter the best graduate programs in nursing. The school exemplifies the university's mission of “educating for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care” in an environment that encourages lifelong learning, diversity and spirituality as vital elements in the human quest for wholeness. The school recognizes that the spiritual, physical, mental and social health of people is of universal concern. Its educational programs employ dynamic learning opportunities, including a nurse-managed Wellness Center that delivers health care services to the surrounding community. The program also responds to the educational and technological learning needs of practicing nurses seeking continuing education — the BSN or the MSN — to remain current, competent practitioners and/or to revise their practice focus.

Music The music program at PLU strives to provide every student at the university with a meaningful and enriching arts experience, ranging from non-major private lessons or ensemble participation to core courses to four distinctive academic majors and two academic minors. Nearly one quarter of the undergraduates at PLU participate in music annually. The program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and its graduates go on to distinguished and satisfying careers in teaching and performing. Facilities for exploring the musical arts are outstanding. The Mary Baker Russell Music Center, with its exquisite Lagerquist Concert Hall, provides state-of-the-art focus to music study at PLU. Media rich classrooms and labs augment studios and individual practice spaces. Private study in keyboard is available in piano, organ, and harpsichord. Other private study includes voice and all string, wind, and percussion instruments, taught by regularly performing musicians. Professional-quality experience is available to qualified performers in band, orchestra, choir, jazz, and chamber ensembles.