Pacific Lutheran University

Welcome!

The College of Professional Studies at Pacific Lutheran University houses the departments of Communication, Media & Design Arts, Music, and Theatre & Dance among others. Presenting over 275 events each season, we combine the best practices of liberal arts education with the benefits of applied and professional study.

Serving approximately 1,400 students each year, including 450 majors and 175 minors, the College of Professional Studies provides professional training and education to artists in an environment that challenges complacency, nurtures personal growth, and maintains a strong culture of collegial integrity across all disciplines. 

The College of Professional Studies offers Artistic Achievement Awards to talented, incoming students (new and transferring). Artistic Achievement Awards and limited endowed scholarships are offered in renewable amounts ranging up to $7,500 per year and are in addition to academic merit awards. Awards are renewable for up to three additional years, and are available to students in Music, Theatre, Dance, and Studio Art, Media and Design. Each year, 250+ students audition for awards and apply for consideration for more than $300,000 in total award packages.  

Students are eligible to apply for awards in multiple areas and need to submit a separate application for each area. To be considered for an Artistic Achievement Award for the 2023-24 academic year, please complete both a PLU admission application, as well as the specific scholarship application (including supporting materials) from the drop down menu on this page. Students must complete an application to PLU in order to be considered for an award. 

The deadline for Music and Theatre January Auditions is Friday, January 13, 2023 by midnight Pacific time. January Auditions will be held on campus on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

The deadline for all College of Professional Studies award applications is Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 5pm Pacific time. This includes Studio Art, Media & Design and Dance as well as Music and Theatre applications. February Auditions will be held on campus February 24-26, 2023, depending on your area and discipline.

Electronic submissions are accepted, but in-person auditions and in-person portfolio reviews are strongly encouraged for all applicants. 

Contact Us

College of Professional Studies
Cameron Bennett, Dean, profstudies@plu.edu or 253.535.7150.

Department of Communication, Media & Design Arts
Heather Mathews, Chair, cmda@plu.edu 

Department of Music
Brian Galante, Chair, music@plu.edu

Department of Theatre & Dance
Amanda Sweger, Chair, theatre-dance@plu.edu 

For technical questions, please visit the Acceptd Applicant Support Help Desk.