Academic Life

When you stop and think about it, academics are the reason this university exists and at least one of the reasons you chose to attend PLNU.  We assume you're serious about earning a degree and reaching your potential under God's direction and leadership.  Your years at PLNU are a time for:

• Personal intellectual growth
• Professional preparation
• The integration of your faith with learning and life

Serious study at the university level is much more demanding than high school, and there's more discretionary time built into your schedule.  To take full advantage of the opportunities available to you, your responsibility -- your challenge -- is to:

• Manage your time
• Learn to discipline yourself
• Discover a singleness of purpose

PLNU has good facilities and accomplished personnel to help you meet your goals.  Our faculty members are dedicated scholars, sincere Christians and willing mentors.  You will be challenged regularly to question, write, and study in ways you never have before.  For a closer look at what is offered, see our Academic Affairs webpage.

Planning your College Career

One of the keys to success in college is PLANNING -- planning your day, your week, your semester and your academic career.  Since there are no "study halls" or preparation periods built into your college schedule, all free time is spent as YOU see fit.  Here's a suggestion: plan to spend an average of two hours outside of class for each hour spent in class.  This won't guarantee you'll receive good grades, but it may help you feel more in control and prepared for each class session and assignment.  Over time, you'll learn to adapt your study time, pace to the demands of each class, and take a fun break when you plan for it.

Music

Students interested in any form of music performance, should inquire at the Cooper Music Center (CMC).  For further information, you can visit the music website.

Singers may try out for:

• Concert Choir
• Point Loma Singers
• Chorale
• Vocal Jazz Ensemble
• Choral Union
• Opera Workshop
• Private and Class Voice Instruction

Instrumentalists may try out for:

• Concert Band
• Orchestra
• Jazz Band
• Handbell Choir
• Chamber Ensemble
• Private Instruction
• Class instruction in piano and guitar

Co-curricular music involvements:

• Point Loma Opera Theatre (P.L.O.T)
• VIP Gospel Choir
• Pointless
• Worship Chapel Bands
• Summer Band Ministry Teams  

Forensics

The PLNU Speech and Debate team is a nationally respected intercollegiate program participating in both Parliamentary Debate and Individual Events.  In past years, we have consistently been ranked in the top five of all colleges and universities in the nation, regardless of size or division, in the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) year-end sweepstakes race.  In 2006-07, a two person Point Loma team won the NPDA National Championship Tournament.  Additionally, PLNU has been named the National Champions for the 2008-09; 2006-07; 2003-04; and 2002-03 academic years in the year long sweepstakes races.  PLNU has also had many past National Champions in both individual events and debate, as named by other organizations.

Forensics provides opportunities for students interested in public speaking to compete in parliamentary team debate, National Forensics Association Lincoln Douglas debate, and individual events at all levels of experience.  For further information contact our Director of Forensics, Dr. Skip Rutledge at skiprutledge@pointloma.edu or visit the speech & debate website.  Scholarships are available.

Here's what we've accomplished so far:

• Our individual events program has been listed as a Top Ten program by the National Forensics Association
• Our debate program has consistently been ranked in the top ten college or university debate programs in the nation by the National Parliamentary Debate Association
• We have won national championships in both debate and individual events
• Our competitors are accepted into top graduate programs and law schools each year
• Our graduates are highly placed in top careers based on the skills honed in intercollegiate speech and debate.

Theatre

In the past thirty-two years, the Department of Communication & Theatre has presented one hundred and thirty productions. Throughout each academic year, three major productions are prepared and presented by theatre students with full-time faculty directors. In addition, student directors from Directing class present one-act plays every other Fall semester. If you are interested in any facet of theatre arts, here's what you need to know:

• Auditions are open to the university community and are not exclusive to theatre majors
• Productions are of appropriate character and quality for university and community audiences
• Theatre scholarships are available
• Membership in the nationally recognized theatre fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega, is available

Contact the Communication & Theatre Department for more information.