Overview
Pacific Lutheran University is an independent, coeducational university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Total University enrollment is approximately 3,400. The faculty numbers approximately 260 and includes outstanding scholars with national and international reputations. The University academic structure consists of five professional schools (arts, business, education, nursing, and physical education) and a College of Arts and Sciences with three divisions (humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences). The University has superb academic and athletic facilities.

The graduate student population for all programs totals approximately 250. Full-time students comprise about one half of the graduate population. Students come from throughout the United States and from several other countries.

More than 96 percent of recent M.B.A. graduates are employed and work in such diverse industries as manufacturing, aerospace, financial services, health care, accounting, and forest products. Graduates with the M.A. in education have accepted instructional and educational administrative positions across the state and region. Several graduates have been named Washington State Teacher of the Year. Graduates with the M.A. in social sciences (marriage and family therapy concentration) are employed, on average, one month after graduation as licensed/certified marriage and family therapists in mental health centers, social service organizations, group practices, and educational institutions. All students in the M.S.N. program who complete the care and outcomes management concentration have consistently been employed as managed-care coordinators and case managers. Graduates who complete the nurse practitioner studies concentration have been offered positions in ambulatory care settings.

The Location and Community
Pacific Lutheran University is located on a 126-acre campus immediately adjacent to the city of Tacoma (population 162,100). The campus is 40 miles south of Seattle and 20 miles south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Located in the midst of the Puget Sound region, the campus is within a short drive of a wide variety of natural attractions including Mt. Rainier, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, and numerous bodies of both salt and fresh water.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
The University offers master's-level graduate degrees in five fields: business (M.B.A.), education (M.A.), nursing (M.S.N.), social sciences (M.A.), and writing (M.A.). Areas of specialization in education include classroom teaching, educational administration, and initial certification. The social sciences master's program offers a concentration in the area of marriage and family therapy. In nursing, concentrations include care and outcomes manager and nurse practitioner studies. The M.B.A. program offers a concentration in technology and innovative management. The M.A. in creative writing is a low residency program.

Specific objectives for the University's graduate programs include increasing the breadth and depth of understanding of graduate students in their chosen disciplines, increasing students' knowledge of ongoing research in their fields of study, immersing students in research processes, developing students' abilities to do independent study and research, and preparing students to enter professional vocations or pursue advanced study leading to doctoral degrees.

The University offers a 4-1-4 calendar that consists of two 14-week semesters bridged by a 4-week January term. A minimum of 32 semester hours is required for each program. Individual programs may require more, depending upon prior preparation and specific degree requirements. Students must complete at least 24 of the required semester hours at PLU. Full-time students may complete most graduate programs in two years; however, some programs are designed to be completed in as little as fourteen months. Graduate students at PLU enjoy small classes and a high level of individual attention from the faculty.

Facilities & Resources
The Robert A. L. Mortvedt Library is the central multimedia learning resource center serving the entire University community. It contains more than 500,000 books and periodicals, microfilms, and audiovisual materials and receives more than 2,000 current magazines, journals, and newspapers. Computer access to other large libraries in the area combined with e-mail service allows students and faculty rapid access to many other sources for research. A large computer lab, located in the University Center, provides IBM PCs, Macintosh computers, and access to the University's DEC Alpha 3400 computer.

Expenses and Aid
Graduate tuition is charged at the rate of $748 per semester credit hour.

Financial Aid:
Financial assistance for graduate students is available in the form of Federal Perkins and Federal Stafford Student Loans, graduate assistantships, and scholarships. In addition, students may be eligible for a PLUS loan to a maximum of $4,000. A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded to full-time students in amounts up to $5,000 per year.

Housing/Living Expenses:
The University has a selection of residence halls that provide comfortable living arrangements. Although these are primarily undergraduate residences, one hall is designed to accommodate graduate students, and any full-time student is welcome to apply for housing. Application may be made through the Residential Life Office. In the surrounding area there are numerous housing options available for off-campus living.

How to Apply
Further information and applications for graduate admission may be obtained from the Office of Admissions. All application evaluations are based on scholastic qualifications, letters of recommendation, a statement of goals, and preparation in the proposed field of study. Certain programs require scores on standardized examinations and personal interviews. Applications for admission to most programs are acted upon throughout the year. However, all application documents should be received six weeks prior to the semester in which enrollment is sought.

Go To Profile Index Page

Go To Top Of Page