Graduate Admission

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. PLU 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 academic units in which the programs are located, and the decision may include consultation with the associate provost of graduate studies and continuing education. The communication of the admission decision is made by the graduate admission office. 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.

Students seeking admission to any graduate or certificate program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or recognized international university at the start of the PLU graduate program. Applicants for the M.F.A. in creative writing may hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications. Students who meet or exceed all program requirements for admission are eligible to be considered for admission as regular status students. Students who present credentials below general standards for graduate study, who also exhibit potential for academic success, may be admitted as provisional status students. Provisionally-admitted students must complete eight or more semester hours of graduate work, as determined by the program, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher to be granted regular status.

At the minimum, all application evaluations are based on scholastic qualifications, a statement of professional goals or essay, 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.

Refer to individual programs for application deadlines and prerequisites. Application materials are available from the Office of Admission, Graduate Programs, or via the website at www.plu.edu/graduate/.