Accredited
Hybrid
On-campus
Online
Public
BSN DNP MSN RN-to-BSN Entry-Level Master's LPN-to-BSN Entry-Level BSN MSN-to-DNP CNL NP Accelerated BSN Post-grad Certificate Other
- Accreditations CCNE
- Location(s) Washington
- Telephone 1-253-535-7672
- Request Information
Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), founded in 1890 by Norwegian pioneers, is as a private entity affiliated with the Lutheran church.
Undergraduate
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
This is the typical Four-year undergraduate degree designed for students who are just starting college for the first time and do not hold a prior nursing degree or license. This degree takes three (3) academic years or 6 semesters to complete.
After completing the required prerequisite courses, this program is a three-year program designed for students who are interested in becoming nurses, but no education related to nursing. Students will gain clinical experience, under the direct supervision of its faculty members.
After successful completion, graduates are awarded the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination for licensure as registered nurses in Washington state.
LPN to BSN
The LPN to BSN course of study is designed for the LPN who would like to go on for a BSN without an ADN degree. This program allows students the opportunity to validate prior knowledge and clinical competence, enabling progression through the BSN curriculum within five semesters (2 1/2 years instead of 3 years) after completing the prerequisite courses.
LPN Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)
Coursework for the LPN begins in the Spring. The first semester is waived for LPNs. LPNs must have completed an LPN course and obtained a current LPN license. There are also requirements for prerequisite courses LPNs must complete.
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The Master of Science in Nursing program is an advanced program for nurses that would like to provide direct care in a specialty area. This program has three entry points:
- Entry-Level Master's - for non-nurses with a degree in another field
- BSN to MSN - for nurses with a BSN
- RN-B to MSN - for nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field
Admission Requirements for Entry-Level and RN-B to MSN (not all inclusive)
- Prerequisites – to be completed before the program start date
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- GRE scores from within five years at or near the 50th percentile on the Quantitative and Verbal sections of the exam, 150 in both the verbal and quantitative section (or 500 quantitative on the old scale) and 4.00 in analytic writing; waived for previous graduate degree from an accredited U.S. school
- Current, unencumbered WA State RN License
RN-B to MSN
This program is currently on hiatus. The program is designed for registered nurses that hold a non-nursing bachelor's or higher degree to earn an MSN degree. This program does not award a BSN degree.
Entry - Level Master of Science in Nursing
This Accelerated MSN program is designed for the student who holds a non-nursing bachelor's degree, but no degree in nursing or nursing experience. This program takes 27 months to complete.
MSN Care and Outcomes Manager
This program is designed for the RN that holds a BSN degree, but has a desire to work in management and wants to earn an MSN. The nurse must have a current RN license and completed a BSN program. This program takes two academic years or 4-5 semesters to complete.
The Care and Outcomes Manager MSN curriculum meets all necessary requirements for the Clinical Nurse Leader national certification examination.
MSN/MBA Dual Degree
This program is designed to prepare practicing BSN-prepared nurses for a master's level career in administration or management. This program leads to a master's degree in nursing and business administration and takes three years.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
This program is a Family nurse practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) graduate nursing program. Students must hold a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. There are three routes to choose from to achieve the DNP: BSN to DNP (3-4 years), Post-master's to DNP (2 years), and the post-master's DNP program for nurses who are already advanced practice nurses (2 years part-time study). The Family Nurse Practitioner track meets all necessary requirements for ANCC and AANP national certification examinations.
Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)
BSN to DNP Prerequisites are to be completed before the program start date.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally or nationally accredited school of nursing
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Current, unencumbered WA State RN License
- College-level statistics (both descriptive and inferential) with a 3.0 (B) or better
- Candidates should have direct care RN experience
MSN to DNP Prerequisites are to be completed before the program start date.
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally or nationally accredited school of nursing
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Current, unencumbered WA State RN License
- College-level statistics (both descriptive and inferential) with a 3.0 (B) or better
- Candidates should have direct care RN experience
- ARNP candidates must have copy of current advanced practice certification
Accreditation and Approval
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Pacific Lutheran University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
The School of Nursing is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.
NCLEX 2017 Pass Rates
Graduate Entry (GE) - 95.83%
BSN - 92.50%
Rankings
US News & World Report (2019)
- #23 in Regional Universities West
- #14 in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #8 in Best Value Schools
- #124 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #132 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Niche (2019)
- Best Christian Colleges in America #50 of 356
- Best Small Colleges in America #114 of 997
- Most Liberal Colleges in America #154 of 687
- Best Value Colleges in America #176 of 1,590
- Top Private Universities in America #203 of 975
- Best Colleges for Nursing in America #222 of 599
- Best Colleges in America #306 of 1,647
- Colleges with the Best Academics in America #360 of 1,591
- Best College Campuses in America #555 of 1,408
- Most Diverse Colleges in America #616 of 1,592
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #732 of 1,542
- Best Value Colleges in Washington #3 of 42
- Best Christian Colleges in Washington #3 of 5
- Best Small Colleges in Washington #6 of 28
- Best Colleges for Nursing in Washington #6 of 14
- Colleges with the Best Academics in Washington #7 of 41
- Top Private Universities in Washington #7 of 15
- Most Liberal Colleges in Washington #7 of 14
- Best Colleges in Washington #9 of 49
- Most Diverse Colleges in Washington #12 of 44
- Best College Campuses in Washington #15 of 21
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in Washington #19 of 41
- Best Value Colleges in Seattle Area #2 of 21
- Best Colleges in Seattle Area #5 of 25
Forbes (2019)
- #321 Top Colleges
- #213 in Private Colleges
- #66 in the West
PLU is ranked the 15th best master's university in the country by Washington Monthly (2018).
MONEY Magazine ranked PLU #315 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018-2019).