Medical Sciences, minor

Medical Sciences, minor

Program Overview

Gain a strong foundational understanding of the medical sciences and kickstart your future in a variety of medical or educational settings.

This minor empowers students with a combination of cutting edge learning technology and hands-on training to familiarize students with the study of the human body. This includes a surgical anatomy suite that features lab experience with a body donor — a rare opportunity for undergraduates. Topics include:

  • Clinical anatomy
  • Applied neuroanatomy
  • Human embryology
  • Advanced biochemistry
  • Physiology

This minor is ideal for anyone interested in the health sciences, including students studying biology, chemistry, kinesiology, psychology, and similar programs.  At 23–24 units, the minor is perfect for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in career areas such as:

  • Pre-med
  • Physician assistant
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Dental

The medical sciences minor also leads seamlessly into PLNU’s M.S. in Medical Sciences, and will allow you to complete the master’s more quickly. This minor can also prepare you exceptionally for the graduate certificate in anatomical sciences education and other graduate and professional programs.

Lab fees may apply for some courses. See the course list for more information. 

Pathway Insights

8 Impactful Healthcare Jobs You May Not Know About
What is the Role of Compassion in Healthcare?

Future in Focus

Student Voices

"Prepared for What's Next "
"Building for Your Future"

Spaces for Discovery

Discover More
Videos (2)
Articles (3)
Quotes (2)
Pictures (5)
8 Impactful Healthcare Jobs You May Not Know About Learn about promising lesser-known healthcare jobs like prosthetist, sonographer, anesthetist, clinical lab technician, and more. Discover
What is the Role of Compassion in Healthcare? Compassion can help make or break a patient's healthcare experience. Dive into why that is and explore some tips on how to be more compassionate in healthcare. Discover
Is Adding a Minor to Your Degree Worth It? Learn more about college minors, how to add a minor to your degree, and how future employers see value in adding a college minor to your degree. Discover
Prepared for What's Next
"I really feel that the courses at PLNU have definitely prepared me and helped bridge that gap into dental school. The intense biochem courses, the microbiology, the anatomies, all the hands-on experience you get in lab make me feel very prepared going into dental school."
Saib Abdulnoor Biology B.S.
Building for Your Future
"My time at PLNU really prepared me for PA school because they provided me with lots of opportunities to get hands-on experience within the healthcare field. They helped me build my resume, they helped me with my applications. We had one class in particular that was a pre-PA internship class and so we actually got to be interns doing various healthcare things and we got to see patients and interact with them and kind of have like mock cases as well and write mock notes and that's something that you usually don't get in undergrad that I think now being in PA school really prepared me for what was to come."
Sophie Mirth Applied Health Sciences B.S.

Course List

For information about the courses required for the Medical Sciences, minor program, view the PLNU Catalog.

Course information coming soon.

Start Application

Are you ready to take the next step to begin your PLNU journey? Whether you’re a high school senior, college transfer student, or international student, find out what we’re looking for in our applicants and how you can apply.

Apply Now

Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future. 

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

Career Opportunities

A medical sciences minor will help you to strengthen your understanding of the human body so you can further your education into the medical sector, become an educator in anatomy or biology/chemistry, or thrive in a variety of impactful health-related careers.

A medical sciences minor can lead to positions such as:

  • Physician’s assistant
  • Occupational therapist
  • Dentist
  • Physician
  • Physical therapist

Department Faculty

Get Involved

Cailey Olono EMT Alum

EMT Program

Point Loma Nazarene University's EMT program is an exclusive opportunity to offer students a comprehensive education and skills-training in the provision of prehospital emergency care.

Balboa PA lab

Pre-Physician Assistant Program

Physician Assistant programs are among the most competitive graduate programs in the nation. That is why it is vitally important to choose a university with a robust Pre-Physician Assistant program like PLNU.

MSOT student holds onto a hoop while working on a therapy

Pre-Occupational Therapy Program

Are you interested in becoming an Occupational Therapist in the future? To become an Occupational Therapist you will need to graduate with your bachelor’s degree first then apply to a graduate program in Occupational Therapy studies.