Graduate Studies - Admission
253.535.7151
800.274.6758
www.plu.edu/~admi

Pacific Lutheran University welcomes applications from students who exhibit capacities for success at the graduate level. Applicants must present evidence of scholastic ability and demonstrate qualities of good character in order to be accepted for admission. The dean of graduate studies reserves the right to admit, deny, or withdraw admission for any applicant/student based on an individual’s meeting these criteria. Admission decisions are made by the dean of graduate studies upon recommendation by the committee responsible for graduate admissions in each academic unit. Applications for admission are evaluated without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Entrance Requirements
Students seeking admission to any graduate program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required for admission as a regular status graduate student. Those students with an average of less than 3.0 may be granted provisional status and will not be considered for admission to regular status until they have demonstrated their ability to do graduate work by completing a minimum of 8 semester hours of work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

At the minimum, all application evaluations are based on scholastic qualifications, a statement of professional goals, letters of recommendation, and preparation in the proposed field of study. Some graduate programs may require additional evidence for admission including, but not limited to, autobiographical statements, personal interviews, standardized tests, or other evidence of professional accomplishment. Listings for each program detail these additional admission requirements.

Students applying for admission to graduate study must submit a completed application form, a statement of goals, a résumé, two letters of recommendation, and a non-refundable application fee of $35.00. Applicants must request from each previously attended institution of higher learning (undergraduate and graduate) an official transcript to be sent by the institution directly to the Office of Admissions at PLU. Refer to individual programs for application deadlines. Application packets are available from the Office of Admissions.

In summary, the following items must be on file in the Office of Admissions before an applicant will be considered for admission:

1. The completed application form.
   
2. A statement of professional and educational goals.
3. A résumé.
4. The $35.00 non-refundable application fee.
5. An official transcript from each institution of higher learning attended. All transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions at PLU from the institution providing the transcript.
6. Two letters of recommendations.
7. TOEFL test scores for all international students (see international student section for details).
8. Additionally, specific programs require the following:
   • Master of Business Administration: GMAT score.
   • Master of Arts in Education: MAT or GRE score; personal interview with program director.
   • Master of Arts in Social Sciences (Marriage and Family Therapy): Autobiographical statement; personal interview for finalists.
   • Master of Science in Nursing: GRE score; personal interview with program director.
   

Please contact the Counseling and Testing Office at 253.535.7206 for information on the GMAT, the MAT, and the GRE.

All records become part of the applicant’s official file and can be neither returned nor duplicated for any purpose.

An offer of admission is good for one year in all programs except for Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Arts in Education with Initial Certification, and Educational Administration. Admitted students who have not enrolled in any course work for one year after the semester for which they were admitted must reapply.