Point Loma Nazarene University Graduate Education

Please note this review is in reference to the 5^th year/​Accelerated MBA Program which has taken a significant turn for the worse since reviews in 2010 and 2013. I have nothing to gain from a negative review of the program through which I achieved my MBA. However, my class suffered & I suffered far too much frustration in this program and looking back would not want others to undertake this experience, regardless of the quick path to an MBA title.
Summary: Look elsewhere for a graduate degree. Whether you want a quality experience (start running full speed in the other direction), or you simply want the three letters behind your name (there are much cheaper options), PLNU’s MBA is no shortage of frustrating experiences and inconveniences of which I’d highly recommend against.
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A small snapshot of the utterly painful situations we found ourselves in over the last year…
Our «cohort’s» schedule changed dramatically and without notice through the year; all previously offered electives became two «mandatory electives,» at least two key courses are no longer taught, and concentrations have been rid of entirely. While many had looked forward to specializing in their fields of interest others were relying on those courses to secure previously promised jobs that required their completion.
We were never notified of the changes, simply given new schedules at the last minute each semester. Upon notifying the Dean that we felt false advertising was evoked and that the website had not been updated to illustrate the lack of electives, concentrations, and other desired courses for incoming students… I was told the website would be changed within three weeks– without apology. Six weeks later it was updated however we were again surprised last semester when another course changed.
Having had attended PLNU’s undergrad and been more than satisfied with the fantastic undergrad experience, I expected our professors to be up to the same standard, if not higher. Although three professors had ample business experience and well-​written curriculums, we were disappointed repeatedly by other professors who were seemingly chosen last minute to fill the voids.
While our marketing class covered nothing beyond the 4 P’s, our teacher (the Assistant Dean) offered to send us her class papers from the following class in an effort to «catch us up» to the level we should have been taught at initially. Another class taught by an incomprehensible professor resulted in the offer of a $ 600 credit towards another marketing research class at a UC school after enough students complained– an obvious admittance of the failure of the class to meet standards. Unfortunately, not only was the time we had to enroll by limited, but we would also have had to front the cost and would only be reimbursed after successful completion of the course. We became further frustrated upon learning she was not being asked back the following year.
Classes focused around the knowledge of the professors, many whom have little business experience and tend to spend far more time talking up their own interests.
Law & Social Environment for example, didn’t involve an ounce of law outside of a guest speaker from PLNU’s own HR department, yet dove head first into sustainability and maintained its position revolving around our destruction of the universe for the entire semester. Failing to learn any law outside of common HR misconceptions was a huge downfall. That same class we were told by the professor 7 weeks in that he had just received his expected course outcomes from the director (that’s right, for a class he had already been teaching for ⁷⁄₁₀ weeks).
Most recently I attempted to ask what concepts a new teacher thought he believed we would draw from the class … he asked me to rephrase, then instructed me to inform him of such at the end of the course. I took my concern to the Dean and was informed that PLNU’s «policy» determines that there is no time in class for questions regarding concepts we could expect to learn or those regarding the experience of professors.
Cons: classes focusing almost solely on ethics, awful communication between faculty and students, wrongly evoked expectations, inexperienced professors, and numerous excuses for setbacks, cancelations, and undelivered promises all at a cost of $$$
Ask around; don’t make the mistake we did in believing the hype. They’re in it for the money and spending more of it on advertising over the radio, LinkedIn, and Facebook than they are spending on all of our teachers combined. The «more than the bottom line» philosophy they so strongly market is in direct contradiction to the way the MBA program is ran– in just about every possible way.

I highly recommend the MBA program at PLNU.
Pros: 1) Total program cost is approx $ 31K, much lower than many of the MBA programs in town. 2) The class schedule is easy to manage, if you go full time then you’ll meet 2 nights a week from 5:30 — 8:30. If you do two classes at a time (full time), the MBA program takes 2 years & 3 months to complete (7 semesters). 3) Class sizes are all less than 22 students. 4) All classes are in person, nothing is online. I consider this a pro, given my learning style. 5) The professors are high quality, with a good mix of Phd’s and accomplished professionals.
Cons: 1) Not nationally ranked, and because the program is so small many people do not know PLNU offers an MBA program. 2) There are only a few concentrations, so for instance you could not get an MBA with a concentration in Finance or Supply Chain. 3) The alumni base is small, so it is harder to network versus some of the more established MBA programs in town.
With all that said, the MBA program is a great value, has experienced professors, and offers a challenging academic curriculum. Although it doesn’t have the brand recognition of some of the other local universities, you should seriously consider this program if you are thinking about getting your MBA.

I am currently working on level II/​Masters program as well received both of my special ed credentials here at PLNU.
This private school is like many others but better…
1. Cost lots of $$$ however, the financial adviser — Paul is excellent!
2. The class size is quite small but when there are not enough enrolled here at mission valley, the school will video conference to one of the other campus (Arcadia, Bakersfield, Inland Empire)
3. The graduate program is a bit different than the main undergrad campus. yes there are some PLNU alumni who continues their education but lots of individuals in the Grad programs come from all different walks of life and range of age, experience, etc.
4. Unlike many Graduate Education programs in SD who does the majority of their work on-​line. We actually meet in person and learn from real live teachers and experience the materials hands on.
5. A class meets once a week from 4:30 — 8:30pm. Each class is 8 weeks long and is called a Quad… there are 2 Quads in 1 Semester. every year there are Spring, Summer and Fall semesters. You can start a program at anytime during the year.
6. Because everyone starts the program at different times during the year… you get an opportunity to decide the pace you want to complete your program… You can take 1 class per quad or sometimes 3 classes per quad (like me)… this flexibility allow people to work and continue your education at the rate they want to finish.
7. Since the classes are quite small you do get a chance to really get to know your classmates. An activity i really enjoy is done often in many of the classes is signing up to bring food once during the quad. Because when there’s food… people make better connection and build stronger relationships.
One of the things makes PLNU from other credentials/​graduate program are the advisers for the Special Ed program… they are excellent! Dr. Shirley Gibbs and Dr. Andrea Liston are the GURUs of Special Ed within San Diego. They know everyone who is anyone and are super supporters of ensuring that you’ll succeed.
The majority of the professors at PLNU are some of the most amazing people I’ve meet through my education. They really have the passion for what they’re doing and are innovative in their teachings as well as their perspectives.
PLNU Mission valley might not be on the beach or have a beautiful sunset like the undergrad campus but the support and services here are just as qualified if not better.