Pacific Lutheran University

At PLU, there are many different undergraduate degrees available. Many majors offer more than one type of degree – each with a different area of emphasis. It is a great way to pursue a course of study that is perfect for you.

Students may also choose to pursue multiple disciplines as part of a double major or a major-minor combination. In most cases, students can minor in any discipline that offers a major. Follow the links below for more information.

Division of Humanities

Sharing a central concern about language, literature and world views, the departments of English, languages and literatures, philosophy, and religion form the Division of Humanities.

Faculty in the humanities will help you develop methods to think and act perceptively, humanely, and creatively in a complex and ever-changing society. Your classes will emphasize communication skills, rigorous analysis of texts and ideas, critical assessment of arguments, and thoughtful reflection. Classes in the Humanities expose you to a variety of different perspectives on culture, meaning and value.

The Division of Humanities has both a language resource center and a large collection of children’s literature located in PLU’s Mortvedt Library.

Division of Natural Sciences

The Division of Natural Sciences prepares its students for careers as science professionals and provides all PLU students a foundation in scientific awareness.

The six departments in the division are biology, chemistry, computer science and computer engineering, geosciences, mathematics and physics.

The classes you take will help you develop an appreciation for the benefits of science and the awareness of its limitations. Courses also strive to place science and technology in its larger sociocultural context and make connections with other academic disciplines.

Known for its research program opportunities, the Division of Natural Sciences supports one-on-one investigations with faculty in which you will be immersed in all aspects of “real world” science.

The Division of Natural Sciences has state-of-the-art facilities such as the 88,000-square-foot Rieke Science Center, open chemistry and physics labs and the W.M. Keck Observatory.

Division of Social Sciences

Through classroom learning and applied settings such as supervised internships, students in the Division of Social Sciences acquire an understanding of society while developing the analytical tools to provide solutions to diverse social problems.

Instruction is vibrant and relevant to the time and world we live in, and encourages responsible citizenship for today and tomorrow. The departments in the division are: anthropology, economics, history, marriage and family therapy, political science,psychology, and sociology and social work.

The Division of Social Sciences features a new anthropology lab, located in the recently renovated Xavier Hall, and the Nisqually Plains room that houses a collection of Pacific Northwest historical artifacts.

The Division of Social Sciences offers programs in each constituent department leading to the B.A. degree. Additionally, a B.S. degree is offered in psychology and an M.A. degree is offered in marriage and family therapy.

School of the Arts and Communication

Dedicated to the fulfillment of the human spirit through creative expression and careful scholarship, the School of the Arts and Communication encourages students to pursue their artistic and scholarly work in an environment that challenges complacency, nurtures personal growth and maintains a strong culture of collegial integrity.

PLU students graduate from the School of the Arts and Communication with a meaningful and enriching experience. The departments within the school are: art, communication and theatre, and music.

Highlighted facilities for the School of the Arts and Communication include two art galleries, a television and radio production studio, and the premier Mary Baker Russell Music Center, which includes the 534-seat Lagerquist Concert Hall.

School of Business

Recognizing that we live in a diverse and increasingly globalized society, the School of Business develops leaders who have effective communication and critical thinking skills. PLU business students learn the way business really operates through integrated coursework that builds on subjects such as marketing, production management, human resource management, accounting, operations, technology and strategic management.

The School of Business stresses competency (skill) development through team building, communication, technology, problem solving, leadership, global management and change management. Field projects, simulations and internships will give you real world experience.

Additionally, students are assisted in planning lifelong career dev-elopment, as well as more than 150 internship opportunities. The School of Business is located in the Morken Center for Learning and Technology, a new facility featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, media and computer labs, and student work rooms.

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing combines nursing science with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and the humanities to prepare undergraduate students for generalist nursing practice.

The program ensures that students have the opportunity to work side-by-side with health care professionals in various clinical settings. You will find a learning environment where students work with outstanding faculty and staff, gain knowledge and skills, share professional experiences and become exceptional nurses. PLU’s nurse-managed clinic and Wellness Center serve the local community.

Our professional and educational standards, our innovative responses to changing health care markets and our distinguished history of educating students for lives of service have earned the School of Nursing a reputation for excellence.

School of Education and Movement Studies

The School of Education and Movement Studies includes the Department of Instructional Development and Leadership and the Department of Movement Studies and Wellness Education.

The Department of Instructional Development and Leadership offers programs of study leading to certification for elementary, secondary and special education teachers, as well as administrators, reading specialists and school librarians.

The department provides high quality undergraduate and graduate programs designed to develop competent and caring educational leaders. The curriculum combines liberal arts with a variety of guided field experiences.

The faculty is committed to the development of teachers and administrators who will be sensitive to the varied individual needs of learners. Students leave in four years ready to teach in a variety of diverse settings.

The Department of Movement Studies and Wellness Education provides quality professional preparation in areas related to the study of human movement and lifelong wellness. The integration of liberal arts and professional preparation courses, along with internship experiences, prepare students to successfully enter a wide range of exercise science, physical education and recreation based careers and graduate programs.

The department also delivers the University’s physical activity program. Courses are offered in over 30 different physical activities that are tailored to meet student interests and the unique opportunities available in the Pacific Northwest.