San Diego is home to thousands of active-duty, reserve, veteran, and military-affiliated individuals. We want to equip you with all of the tools you need to succeed in your current military status and scholastic journey — from traditional undergraduate degrees, bachelor’s degree completion programs, and master's degrees. If you’re looking to put your invaluable military experience to work, PLNU wants to help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to launch your next career.
Prospective students
PLNU’s admissions teams offer services to help ensure your experience is seamless from start to finish. We can help with everything from transcript evaluation and academic planning to VA benefits and other financial aid. Once you’re enrolled, our Center for Student Success is available to help you thrive in your future career.
For those seeking a bachelor’s degree
Depending on the program you choose and the number of units you’ve already completed, most programs can be completed in 15 to 36 months to accommodate terms of eligibility for your military benefits. Because our undergraduate degrees may not require you to use your maximum benefits, you can use any remaining eligibility toward one of our graduate degree programs.
Which bachelor program is right for you?
| Traditional Undergraduate | Accelerated Undergraduate | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs Offered | Over 60 programs, including: business administration, kinesiology, and engineering and physics | Several programs ranging from business administration to criminal justice to child development |
| Format | In-person, full-time and part-time | Online, in-person, and hybrid |
| Location(s) | Main Point Loma campus | Mission Valley Regional Center, Community college campuses across San Diego County, Bakersfield Regional Center, and Online |
| Expected Completion Time | 2-3 years, depending on the number of units already completed | Most programs can be completed in as little as 15 months. |
For those seeking a graduate degree
If you’ve already obtained your bachelor’s degree and you want to further your education with a master’s degree, PLNU’s graduate programs help prepare you to advance your career goals.
| Graduate Programs | |
|---|---|
| Programs Offered | Counseling, education, kinesiology, integrative wellness, athletic training, MBA, nursing, organizational leadership, physician assistant, occupational therapy, Christian ministry, and more |
| Format | Online, in-person, and hybrid |
| Location(s) | Mission Valley Regional Center, Bakersfield Regional Center, Balboa Regional Center, Liberty Station, and Online |
| Expected Completion Time | Some programs can be completed in as little as 16 months. |
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“PLNU is a very military-friendly option for veterans looking for a graduate degree. The staff is very helpful dealing with GI Bill issues and making the process as seamless as possible. The professors are also very understanding of your work-life and will work around your work or travel schedule as much as possible.”
JONATHAN SCHROEDER, Lieutenant Commander, MBA , Class of 2018
Current students
PLNU provides students with the opportunity to build a career and life in which they thrive. Our resources will help you discover your strengths and use them to network with others in your field and succeed inside and outside of the classroom.
Opportunities we provide students include:
- Networking events
- Mentor programs
- Executive development events
- Student success and wellness center
- Office of Career Services
- Educational Access Center
- Tutorial services
As a veteran and PLNU MAOL program grad, I’m grateful for the programs PLNU offers to support military students
— Carrie Tripp Johnson
Hero for Heroes Program
At PLNU, we value community both inside and outside of the classroom, which is why we seek to recognize those who support our military and military-affiliated students throughout their scholastic journey. PLNU’s Hero for Heroes program provides our military-connected students with the opportunity to recognize a staff or faculty member who has had a positive impact and helped them have a meaningful experience while attending PLNU.
Warrior’s Breakfast
The PLNU Chapter of the Student Veterans of America, with support from PLNU Military Programs and Services, hosts a Warriors Breakfast event each semester. This is an opportunity to gather over a meal, strengthen our military-connected community, and develop great friendships. We also encourage our military-connected students to invite a staff or faculty member or even another student to the breakfast so they can interact and learn more about this community that exists here at PLNU.
Vets Hang
Join us twice a month for our Vets Hang meetings to build and strengthen our PLNU military-connected community.
Military Appreciation
Each semester, PLNU hosts a military-appreciation event in conjunction with a Sea Lions basketball game to honor the military community at PLNU.
Veterans Day Observance
Annually, PLNU hosts a week-long observance of Veterans Day, celebrating a different branch of the service every day for a week.
Articles
Earning a Grad Degree in San Diego as a Veteran
Active-duty, reserve, and veteran servicemembers in San Diego have the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree at PLNU.
Life After Service: Veterans Work Towards Their Degree
Hear the stories of three PLNU veterans who honorably served their country and returned back to school to earn their degrees.
The Navy Nursing Journey of CNS Joshua Womack
CNS Joshua Womack began his nursing career in the Navy Nurse Corps and continued his education at PLNU to receive his BSN, which has led him in his current career as a CNS in the Navy.
PLNU Alum Wins Military Writer of the Year
Megan Christoph (14) found her calling through the United States Navy as a mass communication specialist, and was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Military Writer of the Year in a competition that put her up against individuals from each of the branches within the U.S. Department of Defense.
Student Veteran Affairs
The PLNU Student Veteran of America (PLNU SVA) is an official chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA). The PLNU SVA is a student-run association with a mission to provide veterans with resources, support, and advocacy to help them achieve their education goals and find a meaningful career. The organization aims to give veterans the tools to succeed in their transition to the civilian sector and build a bond with others who understand what it means to be a veteran. The SVA also offers:
- Scholarships
- Trainings
- A national conference
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#8 best college
for Veterans -
$9.2 million
in grant and scholarship aid awarded to PLNU military students in 2020-21. -
89% of PLNU military students
are awarded any type of aid.