Study Abroad Programs

In support of its core values regarding developing a global perspective and promoting ethnic and cultural diversity, Point Loma Nazarene University actively encourages all students to spend a full semester studying outside the United States or with a designated domestic program. In an ever-expanding global community, the university recognizes the value of providing for students the opportunity to live and learn in another culture. Such an experience allows students to expand their understanding of other world cultures, and reflect upon their own.

In addition to the programs listed below, which have been approved to offer PLNU course credit, the Study Abroad Office offers a wide range of programs through affiliated universities and program providers. Students applying to study abroad enroll by registering with the Study Abroad Office. All students must determine, in advance, with the approval of their faculty advisors and the Director of Study Abroad, how courses taken through these programs will be applied to their specific graduation requirements. Furthermore, students must consider the implications of study abroad on university-funded scholarships. Program information and application materials may be obtained online at www.pointloma.edu/studyabroad, via e-mail at studyabroad@pointloma.edu, by telephone at 619-849-2972, or by visiting the office. Students who are on academic or disciplinary probation, or those who are not cleared by the Dean of Students, are not eligible to participate in Study Abroad programs.

Programs designated with [CCCU] are sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

OCP 000 (12-17) OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAM
Students taking courses through a cooperative agreement with another credit granting institution register for this course.

OCP 210 (6) LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM
Located in San Jose, Costa Rica, the program gives students the opportunity to study the language, culture, politics, history, economics, ecology, and religion of the region while living with a Costa Rican family. Students also participate in a service opportunity and travel for two weeks to surrounding countries. Three specialized academic concentrations, International Business and Management, Tropical Sciences and Sustainability, and Language/Literature are available to qualified students. [CCCU]

OCP 220 (6) MIDDLE EAST STUDIES PROGRAM
The Middle East Studies Program (MESP) in Cairo, Egypt provides students with the opportunity to study Middle Eastern cultures, religions, and conflicts from within this diverse and strategic region. Juniors and seniors participate in interdisciplinary seminar classes, receive Arabic language instruction and serve as interns with various organizations in Cairo. The MESP encourages and equips students to relate to the Muslim world in an informed and constructive manner. [CCCU]

OCP 230 (6) RUSSIAN STUDIES PROGRAM
The Russian Studies Program enables juniors and seniors from Christian colleges to spend a semester living and learning in Russia. Students study the Russian language and attend seminar courses on Russian culture, history and current political and economic issues. Program participants experience a variety of Russian environments, living for twelve weeks in Nizhni Novgorod and visiting both Moscow and St. Petersburg. The semester includes the opportunity to participate in a service project and to live with Russian families for a portion of their stay. [CCCU]

OCP 245 (6) CHINA STUDIES PROGRAM
The China Studies Program is interdisciplinary and has been designed primarily for juniors and seniors. Participants are able to view China from the inside and to experience its culture and its diversities. Courses include: Basic Conversational Chinese, Chinese History and Culture, Contemporary Chinese Society, Economic Development and Reform Policies, and Politics and Foreign Affairs of China. [CCCU]

OCP 290 (1-8) INSTITUTE FOR FAMILY STUDIES
The Institute for Family Studies is offered through Focus on the Family. It is a 15-week program (up to 16 semester units of credit) offered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for students wishing to study the pressing issues facing the family from a Christian world-view perspective.

OCP 299 (1-16) SPECIAL OFF-CAMPUS STUDIES
Studying at the lower-division level in an approved program at an off-campus setting. All such programs must have the endorsement of the Academic Policies Committee.

OCP 300/400 (4-8) AU SABLE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD STUDIES PROGRAM
Biology majors and other interested students may take advantage of unique, environmentally-oriented field courses offered through the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, a Christian organization offering course work and field experiences in the context of Christian environmental stewardship. Courses are offered during two 5-week sessions in the summer at three North American campuses (Great Lakes, Pacific Rim, Florida) and two international venues (India, Kenya). Courses offered include field botany, animal ecology, mammalogy, ornithology, marine biology, conservation ecology, and ecology of various ecosystems (forest, fresh water, alpine, tropical).

OCP 305 (1-16) AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM
Students spend a semester in Washington, D.C., earning academic credit by serving as interns and participating in a contemporary, issue-oriented seminar program. Internships are available in congressional offices, social service agencies, think tanks, cultural institutions and many other organizations. The program is designed for juniors and seniors with a wide range of academic majors and vocational interests. [CCCU]

OCP 310 (10) LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM
See OCP 210 for description.

OCP 315 (1-16) LOS ANGELES FILM STUDIES CENTER
This program enables students to serve in various aspects of the film industry with professional skill and Christian integrity. Located in Burbank, California, near major production studios, the semester-long program combines seminar course work with internships in various segments of the film industry, providing the opportunity to explore the industry within a Christian context and from a liberal arts perspective. [CCCU]

OCP 320 (10) MIDDLE EAST STUDIES PROGRAM
See OCP 220 for description.

OCP 330 (10) RUSSIAN STUDIES PROGRAM
See OCP 230 for description.

OCP 335 (12-16) OXFORD HONORS PROGRAM
Students spend a semester in England studying in a rigorous academic program, aimed at increasing critical thinking skills and scholarship from an integrated Christian perspective. Participants choose from a wide variety of tutorial study programs in numerous disciplines, including the arts, religion, history, literature, and philosophy. In addition to two Oxford tutorials, students participate in a seminar and an integrative course through which they produce a scholarly project or term paper. Field trips provide opportunities for experiential learning in England’s rich historical setting. [CCCU]

OCP 340 (1-16) UGANDA STUDIES PROGRAM
The Uganda Studies Program (USP) is designed to integrate the study of culture, history, religion, politics and humanities into a blended classroom and experiential survey of Ugandan life. It is comprised of an experiential course (designed especially for USP students), two of three African core courses and electives. All of the courses are taught and housed at Uganda Christian University. [CCCU]

OCP 345 (10) CHINA STUDIES PROGRAM
See OCP 245 for description.

OCP 350 (1-16) WASHINGTON SEMESTER PROGRAM
This American University program provides course work and internship opportunities in national politics, foreign policy, economic policy and justice, and a number of other fields. Students live and study on the campus of the American University.

OCP 355 (1-16) WASHINGTON JOURNALISM CENTER
The Washington Journalism Center is an advanced experiential semester on Capitol Hill that will cultivate professional news skills and encourage students to think through the implications of being a Christian working in the news media in a city that is home to the powerful and the powerless. [CCCU]

OCP 360 (1-12) SACRAMENTO SEMESTER PROGRAM
This program is housed at California State University, Sacramento. It provides course work and internship opportunities for students interested in state politics.

OCP 370 (1-16) UNITED NATIONS SEMESTER
The United Nations Semester is offered through Drew University. Participating students attend official meetings, seminars and do research at the United Nations while taking international organization classes at Drew.

OCP 380 (1-16) WORLD CAPITALS PROGRAM
This American University program provides course work and internship opportunities at several national capitals around the world. These study-abroad programs allow students to study languages, government policies and cultures of the host nation.

OCP 385 (6) PLNU AND INSTEP CAMBRIDGE SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
PLNU and the Institute of Economic and Political Studies (INSTEP) offer a summer study-abroad program in Cambridge, England. Students spend six weeks concentrating on coursework designed for those with interests in international relations, political economy, economics and international business. Students choose two three-unit courses from five offerings, all taught by senior INSTEP academics.

OCP 390 (1-12) INSTITUTE FOR FAMILY STUDIES
See OCP 290 for description.

OCP 399 (1-16) SPECIAL OFF-CAMPUS STUDIES
Study at the upper-division level in an approved program at an off-campus setting. All such programs must have the endorsement of the Academic Policies Committee.