Programs

PLNU’s accounting program has consistently been ranked in the Top 3 for the CPA exam in either passing rate or average score for four of the last five years in the state of California.

You'll develop the technical accounting knowledge to be successful in a diversity of fields and industries, while also honing your natural problem-solving and decision-making skills.

A PLNU applied health science degree prepares you for entrance into graduate school to pursue a number of careers in the allied health profession, including becoming a physical therapist, and physician assistant.

Connect your passion for helping others with the practical skills and scientific concepts needed for graduate school and clinical practice.

PLNU's art program prepares artists and educators to be courageous visual communicators who create solutions to real-world problems through human centered design and give voice to critical concerns through their art.

You will be challenged to create original works of art, engage in art history research, and develop critical-thinking and aesthetic skills, ensuring your readiness for professional life. In fact, 86 percent of PLNU art and design students begin working within their field of interest within one year of graduation.

Athletic trainers from PLNU are trained in injury evaluation, functional rehabilitation, prescribing therapeutic modalities, and healthcare management.

You'll also gain the clinical proficiency necessary to become a certified athletic trainer and promote the activity and normal functions of patients.

PLNU biology programs teach you how to leverage your strengths in analysis, exploration, problem solving, and the sciences into finding answers within life's complexities and intricacies.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of this dynamic field that will prepare you for an endless range of occupations, specializations, or graduate schools. In fact, since 2004, over 90 percent of PLNU students who have applied for pre-health or graduate schools have been admitted.

As a PLNU biology-chemistry major, you will gain the necessary skills to engage in scientific investigation and become prepared for work or research in a wide array of industries like pharmacology, biotechnology, biochemistry, physiology, or molecular biology.

A degree in biology-chemistry is also an ideal path if you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. In fact, since 2004, over 90 percent of PLNU students who have applied for pre-health or graduate schools have been admitted.

PLNU's multimedia journalism and writing programs will give you the skills needed to create, understand, and interpret written expressions of the human experience.

You'll hone your ability to read, write, communicate, and think critically. The Multimedia Journalism major includes an optional Visual Storytelling concentration, which will provide you with all the classwork necessary to pursue a broadcast journalism career.

PLNU’s undergraduate business programs prepare you to become an effective business professional armed with the necessary knowledge, skills, and character upon which to build a lifetime of selfless service and continuous learning.

We will help you become a leader of purpose and integrity who consistently takes the initiative to guide people and businesses toward success.

The Department of Chemistry has a strong, 40-year reputation of quality teaching and research.

A lab-rich curriculum will give you hands-on experience to study and manipulate matter at the molecular level, use theory and experimentation to understand the physical and biological world, and become prepared for a successful transition into your future career.

PLNU’s child development programs provide you with an optimal interactive environment to study and learn about the ways children grow and form relationships on a physical, emotional, social, and intellectual scale.

Combining real-world coursework with professional preparedness will enable you to confidently step into a graduate program or a career serving children.

PLNU's Christian studies programs equip you with a foundational knowledge of Scripture and theology, as well as the practical experience essential for ministry and service, enabling you to courageously confront the problems facing our world today.

As a student, you will build close relationships with other students and faculty as you work together to explore Scripture, theology, philosophy, and ministry, and along the way, discover how you can serve Christ — both in the church and in the world.
 

PLNU's communication programs equip you with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become an effective communicator in today’s constantly evolving media landscape.

By pursuing one of the several majors or minors we offer, you'll refine your ability to communicate thoughts, words, and ideas across traditional and modern mediums.

PLNU composition majors learn how to compose, orchestrate, critique, and edit music in many different genres.

With a major in composition, you’ll develop applied music skills in one primary performance area while learning to demonstrate expertise of advanced tonal, timbral, and formal concepts.

PLNU’s computational science minor coursework presents computational research tools in the context of scientific problems.

Students from the various disciplines work together, learning from each other, the professors, and hands-on experience about how science and computation provide solutions to problems that could not be achieved by one discipline alone.
 

PLNU computer science majors learn how computers work, from the underlying hardware to the use of high-level application programs.

You will also learn how to design software to perform tasks and provide services.

Employers are facing an increasing need for people with advanced computer and technology skills combined with business and marketing awareness.

Pairing these interdisciplinary minors with your bachelor's degree will provide you with a strong foundation of skills and better prepare you for life after graduation.

PLNU’s criminal justice programs train students to step into their communities as agents of healing, service, protection, and hope.

The enhanced problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and global knowledge you will acquire will prepare you to be involved at all levels of the criminal justice system, including prevention, protection, prosecution, correction, and restoration.

PLNU cyber security majors learn how computers work, from the underlying hardware to the use of high-level application programs. In addition, they learn about computer security and how to defend computer system infrastructure.

Computer scientists with a background in cyber security protect commercial and government computer systems and aid law enforcement in prosecuting hackers. With an emphasis in cyber security, you will gain the broader background often required by defense and security industries.

PLNU data science majors learn the mathematical, statistical, and computing techniques necessary to make meaning from large collections of data.

From modeling the spread of disease, to predicting the performance of retirement plans and building business strategies, data scientists work on a very diverse collection of problems that impact people’s daily lives. With a degree in data science, you will gain the broad background that is often required for actuarial, pharmaceutical, defense, and security industries.

Majoring in dietetics will help you bring power to your passions for understanding science, engaging in a healthy lifestyle, and interacting with people.

You’ll learn how to evaluate patients' nutritional and health needs, and hone the ability to prevent and treat many types of conditions and diseases. You will also be given the guidance and resources you need to become a registered dietitian after graduation.

Educators shape the future. If you are called to be a teacher, counselor, or school administrator, you are called to work that deeply impacts the lives of others.

You are called to work with great purpose, work that is both challenging and fulfilling. At PLNU, we are committed to preparing you to do it with both excellence and heart. Your faculty will model the kind of compassionate, inspiring teaching you want to imitate. Our accredited programs will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to achieve your dream. PLNU's diverse offerings in education at the undergraduate, credential, and graduate levels include highly respected, accredited programs known for preparing educators who make a difference. Enter PLNU as a student. Leave as a teacher.

PLNU’s engineering physics program interweaves classical and modern physics, chemistry, and mathematics with engineering, providing you with an opportunity to gain both breadth and depth in the field.

Some of our students with this degree will enter the job market immediately, while others will earn a master's degree in a specific engineering field upon graduation.

PLNU students of literature gain interpretive, analytical, critical-thinking, and reading skills while diving into the world of literature, literary theory, rhetoric, and writing.

Concentrations in English Education and Literature will allow you to follow your passion and prepare for life after graduation.

PLNU prepares environmental science students to address the very serious need in our world today for people trained to advocate for the healing and restoration of creation — both land and people.

These programs pull theories and concepts from a range of academic disciplines that will empower you to understand the connections and interactions across these areas of study, and ultimately, how each affect the environment.

Does your passion for writing, art, or activism align with your call to care for the environment?.

This broad range of academic disciplines will empower you to understand the connections and interactions between the environment and people, and provide you with the critical skills needed to tackle sustainable use problems facing our world.

PLNU's film and cinema programs allow you to blend your passion for great film with your desire for meaningful work.

You will gain interpretive, analytical, critical-thinking, and reading skills as you explore Hollywood culture, faith in films, screenwriting, acting, and more.

PLNU’s finance program trains you to embrace and apply your strength in logical reasoning to real-life situations and use discernment based on values and ethics to propose solutions.

Application-oriented courses will help you strengthen your problem-solving and communication skills to become a responsible and excellent steward of financial resources.

Studying French at PLNU will increase your knowledge and fluency in French language, literature, and culture.

Outside of the classroom, you'll be able to nurture intercultural connections through engagement with local, national, or international communities.

Majoring in graphic design at PLNU offers you a diverse education that prepares you to be a thoughtful designer with abilities to solve visual communication problems and work collaboratively in multidisciplinary environments.

As a student, you will be exposed to design theory, business strategy, and new technologies, and use empathy to connect with stakeholders and end-users for innovative outcomes. You will have the opportunity to work on “real-world projects” in interdisciplinary teams, hone your professional skills through a required internship, and graduate with a well-developed print and web portfolio. In fact, 86 percent of PLNU art and design students begin working within their field of interest within one year of graduation.

PLNU health and human performance majors are trained to successfully navigate the collaborative fitness and medical field to uncover ways of improving people's life and health.

With concentrations in Exercise and Sports Science, as well as Pre-Allied Health, you’ll develop strategies around how to help people to overcome their fears, identify and prevent injuries, avoid preventable diseases, and live out healthy, happy lifestyles. You will also graduate with the scientific basis to achieve professional fitness certifications and specialized training to serve this growing need effectively.

PLNU history programs use both traditional and contemporary approaches to historical study in their courses, inviting you to experience history for yourself in the classroom, at an internship, and while studying abroad — one course is even taught sailing along the California coast!

This experiential learning will equip you with a solid foundation of historical knowledge, as well as the essential writing, research, and communication skills necessary for teaching high school, going on to graduate school, or moving into a variety of other careers such as law, foreign service, conservation, intelligence, and broadcast journalism.

PLNU’s information systems program combines elements from business and computer science resulting in a powerful degree.

As a student, you will learn how to build and protect computer networks, as well as how to create, collect, store, and use information to support decision-making in various types of organizations.

PLNU international development students have a passion for business with integrity and purpose.

A cross-disciplinary curriculum will challenge you to become aware of the political and social challenges within the global arena and the factors that affect success and sustainability along the path of development. You will be invited to seek new and better ways to serve others in need as you dive into conversations surrounding poverty, human rights, war, economic growth, race, gender, globalization, community health, and more.

PLNU's international studies programs will prepare you to serve the world, whatever nation, culture, social group, or issue you feel called to.

The political, cultural, and economic acumen that you will acquire, along with foreign language and research skills, will prepare you for career fields as varied as international business, humanitarian and refugee assistance, ministry, national intelligence and security, public affairs, and even media.

PLNU's multimedia journalism and writing programs will give you the skills needed to create, understand, and interpret written expressions of the human experience.

By pursuing one of the several majors or minors we offer, you'll hone your ability to read, write, communicate, and think critically.

Kinesiology programs at PLNU provide a dynamic environment for you to explore how to optimize health and physical efficiency through hands-on experience and research.

Faculty will guide and inspire you to set transformational personal and professional goals, and unique internships or clinical opportunities will enable you to hit the ground running toward a career that focuses on helping people improve their health.

PLNU students of literature gain interpretive, analytical, critical-thinking, and reading skills while diving into the world of literature, literary theory, rhetoric, and writing.

Concentrations in English Education and Literature will allow you to follow your passion and prepare for life after graduation.

PLNU’s management programs equip you with the intellectual and professional tools needed to assume positions of responsibility within an organization.

Courses in leadership, organizational behavior, operations management, finance, and strategy will help you understand different areas and demands of the workplace to become a successful manager or entrepreneur.

The Fermanian School of Business teaches students how to become responsible marketers, equipped with a versatile set of skills and practices that bring deeper value to their future careers.

You’ll take classes that reinforce and develop skills in marketing principles, consumer behavior, social and digital media, and marketing strategy. You will also have the opportunity to apply what you’re learning within personalized internships and innovative business training experiences.

PLNU mathematics students study theoretical and applied mathematics to deepen their understanding of the power of mathematics as a tool in a wide variety of circumstances.

Defined as the search for patterns in things that do not appear to be similar, mathematics offers results that are beautiful and incredibly applicable.

Studying media communication at PLNU will immerse you in a program designed to prepare you for a wide range of careers in television, film, and new media production, as well as media distribution and management.

You’ll work alongside creative classmates and expert faculty to gain the skills used by producers, directors, cinematographers, sound and lighting designers, editors, and more.

PLNU's ministry programs equip you with a foundational knowledge of Scripture and theology, with a focus on the practical experience essential for ministry, enabling you to effectively serve a wide variety of communities.

The knowledge you acquire, along with invaluable practical skills in interpersonal and group communication, will prepare you to navigate any number of social contexts whether your dreams lie in ministry, psychology, teaching, social work, or any number of other careers.

PLNU music students pursue musical excellence within a community of grace that is committed to developing leaders in education, composition, performance, and worship.

You'll have opportunities to travel and perform around the United States and the world, as well as right here on campus.

PLNU students of music and worship learn to develop the tools to prepare and conduct worship services, and become musicians who can work in any worship situation, whether it be at a liturgical church service or in a worship band.

You can look forward to courses in worship ministry, instruments of worship, hymnology, and more.

With a major in music education, you’ll develop your musical abilities through applied lessons and large and small ensemble performance opportunities.

You can look forward to courses that cover subjects like orchestration, conducting, instrumental and choral music methods, and many more that will support your calling to share music with others.

PLNU music students pursue musical excellence within a community of grace that is committed to developing leaders in education, composition, performance, and worship.

The performance program is built on a foundation that ensures you will become well versed in written theory, aural skills, and music history, and also offers a specialized curriculum to help you develop expert-level applied music skills in your primary performance area.

PLNU commercial music students understand that the world of music is huge and complex – which means that developing a well-rounded skill set is an important first step toward career success.

You’ll be able to step into our recording studio equipped with cutting-edge technology and recording instruments.

From your first semester as a BSN student, you will be working with patients using cutting-edge technology in a variety of clinical settings, which will provide you with over 1,100 clinical hours by graduation day — an advantage unique to PLNU.

This rigorous program balances a focus on the human and spiritual aspects of nursing, as well as the physical and technical skills necessary to serve your patients faithfully. The faith-based curriculum, taught by a genuinely caring and committed faculty, emphasizes servant leadership and will help you become a purposeful leader wherever you serve.

PLNU students interested in nutrition pursue their deeply rooted passions for serving people and gaining in-depth knowledge to promote healthy lifestyle choices.

With an increased global awareness of how decisions around food directly affect health and well-being, you’ll acquire knowledge  in in food as fuel for optimal athletic performance, food as a connecting point between culture and community, or the business of food as a pathway to connect your passions to industry.

Can you imagine yourself in a leadership role? Do you enjoy communicating with others and building meaningful relationships? If so, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication could be the right choice for you.

PLNU Organizational Communication majors learn invaluable skills that allow them to expertly navigate any company, industry, or nonprofit group.

PLNU's philosophy programs will challenge you to explicitly and intentionally study what it means to be human, asking difficult questions and seeking out logical and ethical solutions to the issues facing society today.

As a student, you will develop and master critical analyses of difficult texts, creative problem-solving skills, and an ability to clearly and persuasively articulate complex thoughts and ideas. These skills will prepare you to stand out in your graduate school or career of choice. In fact, philosophy majors consistently score better than nearly all other majors on graduate school admission exams and on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
 

PLNU physics majors develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of physics while learning to apply physical principles, mathematical reasoning, and computational techniques to solve real-world problems.

As a physics major, you will design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data, and learn how to communicate complicated technical information, all within a collaborative environment rooted in ethical scientific practice.

Majoring in political science at PLNU will help you develop and master critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, analytical techniques, and experiential application of complex concepts — all of which are essential for graduate school, a variety of careers, and active civic engagement.

Classes in American government and international relations will cover such topics as human rights, gender politics, global governance, urban politics, social movements, political theory, race and ethnicity, and international law — all with a uniquely Christian worldview. You’ll also have the chance to gain firsthand experience by spending a semester abroad or in Washington, D.C., and you will hone your professional skills through practical application with a public affairs internship.

There are many routes and majors you can choose from that can provide the solid basis of preparation necessary for a dentistry-related career.

Although it is not a major, PLNU does have a robust pre-health program that will help prepare and equip you for all kinds of health professional schools. We work with you in individual pre-health advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path that is right for you.

Like most colleges and universities, PLNU does not have a pre-law major.

In fact, virtually any major can provide the solid basis of quality preparation necessary for a law-related career. That is why we emphasize individual pre-law advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help to make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path that is right for you.

Our pre-law advisor will help you successfully apply to law school, provide opportunities to network with local attorneys, and guide you in making decisions about your future legal career. The one-on-one attention you will receive, as well as the support of an inclusive peer group, will help you to be successful. PLNU graduates are regularly accepted into the best law schools in the country.

There are many routes and majors you can choose that can provide the solid basis of quality preparation necessary for a medical-related career.

Although it is not a major, PLNU does have a robust pre-health program that will help prepare and equip you for all kinds of health professional schools. We work with you in individual pre-health advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help to make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path that is right for you.

There are many routes and majors you can choose from that can provide the necessary foundation for a career in occupational therapy.

Although it is not a major, PLNU does have a robust pre-occupational therapy program that will help prepare and equip you for occupational therapy school. We work with you in individual advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help make sure you receive the personalized attention and support to pursue your goals.

Like most colleges and universities, PLNU does not have a pre-optometry major.

In fact, there are many majors that can provide the solid basis of quality preparation necessary for a optometry-related career. That is why we emphasize individual pre-health advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help to make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path that is right for you.

Like most colleges and universities, PLNU does not have a pre-pharmacy major. But there are many routes and majors you can choose that can provide the solid basis of quality preparation necessary for a pharmacy-related career.

Although it is not a major, PLNU also has a robust pre-health program that will help prepare and equip you for all kinds of health professional schools. We work with you in individual pre-health advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path that is right for you.

There are many routes and majors you can choose that can provide the solid basis of quality preparation necessary for a physical therapy-related career.

That is why we emphasize individual pre-physical therapy advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help to make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path to thrive in graduate school and as a professional practitioner.

There are many routes and majors you can choose that can provide the solid basis of quality preparation necessary for a career as a physician assistant.

That is why we encourage individual pre-physician assistant advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help to make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path that is right for you.

There are many routes and majors you can choose from that can provide the solid basis of preparation necessary for a veterinary-related career.

Although it is not a major, PLNU does have a robust pre-health program that will help prepare and equip you for all kinds of health professional schools. We work with you in individual pre-health advising meetings with customized advice to address your particular interests and goals and help make sure that whatever your major, you are on the path that is right for you.

PLNU's Department of Psychology aims to develop students into professionals who are able to meet the needs of others with realism and intelligence.

As a student in our department, you will study a broad spectrum of issues concerning human nature, examining both traditional and contemporary psychological research and methods from a distinctly Christian worldview.

With a public relations minor at PLNU, you'll take classes in the Fermanian School of Business, the Department of Literature, Journalism & Modern Languages, and the Department of Communication Studies.

Courses in marketing, persuasion, journalism, and more will give you a versatile skill set that can help you pursue a variety of careers.

PLNU social work students are motivated to gracefully serve others as an expression of their faith.

Our unique blend of theory and action-oriented classes will equip you with the tools to promote social and economic justice, empower diverse populations, understand human interactions, and implement social work practices within systems of all sizes.

Studying sociology at PLNU will let you explore how groups, institutions, and societies function.

You’ll hone skills in how to evaluate social and cultural patterns, work with diverse groups of people and issues, and constructively engage as an agent of hope and restoration.

PLNU software engineering students take classes in programming, data structures, and operating systems, as well as receive exposure to the quality assurance and project management competencies so often requested by software engineering companies.

You can look forward to classes where you'll receive practical experience while working closely with other students and professors in a highly collaborative environment.

Studying Spanish at PLNU helps you open yourself to a world of rewarding career opportunities and life experiences. Gain proficiency in Spanish through grammar, culture, music, film, and more as you connect with vibrant Spanish-speaking communities.

Developing a fluency in Spanish gives you access to the world’s second most commonly spoken language and is valuable in a variety of vocations.

Being a teacher means being a leader and a servant at the same time.

At PLNU, you will discover how to be an educator who makes a real difference in the lives of students. Our accredited programs will prepare you to live out your call to the classroom with training, experience, and heart. Whether you want to teach elementary school, middle school, high school, or special education, or you want to serve as a counselor or administrator, PLNU can prepare you to have an impact. You will be mentored and guided, challenged and supported — so you can graduate ready to do the same for your own students. You will enter your program as a student. You'll leave as a teacher.

As a student of theology at PLNU, you will devote yourself to the study of God as an intellectual discipline and as an act of service, applying theological principles to those difficult issues facing the church and our culture today.

You will build close relationships with other students and faculty as you dig deep into biblical history, philosophy, biblical Hebrew and Greek, and ministry, and along the way, discover how you can serve Christ — both in the church and in the world.
 

PLNU's women’s studies program embodies a commitment to gender equality by addressing gender issues in curriculum and on campus.

It aims to combine both theory and praxis regarding gender, while encouraging multicultural, cooperative, inclusive, and relational ways of learning. Your coursework will examine the politics of race, class, and gender, and the development of feminist theory. You'll be able to choose from a wide variety of classes that focus on gender and women's issues in literature, history, economics, politics, health, theology, and more.

Studying writing at PLNU will allow you to pursue your passion for written communication and prepare for a lifetime of meaningful work.

You will read literature from classical to post-modern times, approach literary works from a variety of theoretical perspectives to develop critical writing skills, and gain creative and advanced writing and editorial skills for the full gamut of careers that need great writers.

PLNU's youth and family ministry programs delve into the complex landscape of multigenerational ministry, teaching you to competently engage a wide variety of situations, individuals, and family units.

As a student, you will expand your understanding of intergenerational ministry, developmentalism, youth counseling, and adolescent behavior. The knowledge you acquire, along with invaluable practical skills in interpersonal and group communication, will prepare you to navigate any number of social contexts whether your dreams lie in ministry, psychology, teaching, social work, or any number of other careers.