Master Plan October 2011 - Pacific Lutheran University

COMMUNITY BENEFITS
STUDENT ENROLLMENT
PLU enrolls about 3,550 students on campus, with 3,300 undergraduates and 250 graduate
students in a total of 44 majors with 20 degree programs. Undergraduates are a mix of students
who start at PLU as freshmen and complete all four years at PLU, and transfer students, many
of whom complete associate degrees at local community colleges then transfer to PLU to
complete bachelor’s degrees. Most of the graduate students are working adults who return to
school to complete master’s degrees. About 35% of all students are residents of Pierce County
and many remain in the area after graduation. PLU has about 41,000 living alumni. Over 4,600
students have graduated from the PLU School of Education and Movement Studies program and
2,060 from the School of Nursing program, providing teachers and nurses to the area. A more
complete description of academic programs is available on the PLU website at http://www.plu.
edu/~regi/catalog/.
PLU’s long range plan, PLU 2010, was completed in 2003 after a three year process. It projects
an enrollment target of 3,600-3,700, in the range that PLU has maintained in recent years. PLU
has a historical high of nearly 4,000 students, a number used by Pierce County for planning
purposes. PLU 2020, a new long range plan is under development. It will be presented to the
Board of Regents in january 2012 and may recommend further growth in enrollment, particularly
in graduate programs. The current built environment can accommodate program growth beyond
the master plan’s target in PLU 2010 by more efficient use of space. PLU 2020, a new long range
plan is wide delopment. It will be presented to the Board of Regents in January 2012.
Continuing Education Programs – In addition to degree programs, PLU provides continuing
education programs, particularly in nursing, congregation relations and education. These
programs are available to all members of the public who are qualified and pay any associated
registration fees.
November 2011
Pre-college programs – PLU is the sponsor of the Tacoma Pierce County Math Engineering
and Science Achievement program (MESA) which provides academic assistance and support
for elementary, middle and high school students who are underrepresented in science and
engineering professions. MESA works with a number of school districts in Pierce County and
makes campus facilities available to these students. On average, 760 students participate in the
MESA program throughout the year.
110 Pacific Lutheran University MIMP