Pre-Health Sciences, B.S.

School of Arts and Sciences

Explore Pre-Health Sciences, B.S.

What is possible when you pursue your passion for medicine?
Health.

Pre-health sciences lays a foundation for students pursuing careers in the medical and dental fields.

As a pre-health sciences major at Fresno Pacific University, you'll prepare to take entrance exams such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) with courses like biology, chemistry, math and physics. You’ll learn from a Harvard-trained professor, and from professors whose specialization ranges from zoology to microbiology to entomology.

With bachelor of science, you’ll gain greater depth of foundational coursework, choose from three emphases to focus your studies and complete a research capstone.

Through the interdisciplinary study of the sciences, you’ll learn more than what to think. You’ll learn how to ask the important questions. You’ll learn how to think.

Program Highlights

  • Learn to apply socioeconomic and ethical perspectives in analysis of current issues in health care
  • Prepare for the medical school entrance exam, MCAT
  • Gain necessary experiential skills through your capstone research
  • Work one-on-one with faculty to tailor your program

Emphases*

Pre-M.D./D.O./D.D.S./D.Pharm.

Pre-M.D./D.O./D.D.S./D.Pharm. will prepare you for a career as a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, dentistry or pharmacy.

Pre-M.P.T.

Pre-M.P.T. will prepare you to pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy.

* The Pre-Health Sciences, B.S. requires that students choose an emphasis.

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Emphases Catalog*

Pre-M.D./D.O./D.D.S./D.Pharm.

Department Chair: Alan Thompson, Ph.D.

The pre-health sciences major(s) re designed to provide students with a broad, interdisciplinary foundation in the sciences, with a focus on preparing students for entry into nursing, medical and dental careers as well as into other allied health career paths such as healthcare administration and clinical lab sciences.

Students may choose from two-degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. degree is appropriate for students who desire greater flexibility in their undergraduate coursework and wish to pursue nursing, health-care administration, or clinical lab sciences. This flexibility may be used to incorporate a minor, a second major, a study abroad program or additional elective coursework.

The B.S. degree is appropriate for those who seek greater depth of foundational coursework in supporting fields, additional breadth within the major and a research capstone. Students interested in the pre-health sciences major should contact the program director as early as possible since specific courses are necessary for adequate preparation for entrance exams such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is also true for students interested in medical or dental school opportunities who choose to major in a different discipline.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Program graduates comprehend and apply major organizing concepts in science.
  2. Students in the program participate in the process of science. This includes the design and execution of experiments, the critical evaluation of methods, results and conclusions, and the oral and written communication of such activities.
  3. Graduates from the program possess the skills and subject matter competence necessary to gain admittance to, and perform well in, graduate-level health sciences programs.
  4. Students in the program develop an understanding of the economic and social contexts surrounding the practice of medicine in the United States and are able to apply socioeconomic and ethical perspectives in analysis of current issues in health care.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Lower Division Major Prerequisites

Required Courses (42 Units)

Emphasis Courses (20 Units)

Select at least four additional units from the list of electives below

Pre-M.P.T.

Department Chair: Alan Thompson, Ph.D.

The pre-health sciences major(s) re designed to provide students with a broad, interdisciplinary foundation in the sciences, with a focus on preparing students for entry into nursing, medical and dental careers as well as into other allied health career paths such as healthcare administration and clinical lab sciences.

Students may choose from two-degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. degree is appropriate for students who desire greater flexibility in their undergraduate coursework and wish to pursue nursing, health-care administration, or clinical lab sciences. This flexibility may be used to incorporate a minor, a second major, a study abroad program or additional elective coursework.

The B.S. degree is appropriate for those who seek greater depth of foundational coursework in supporting fields, additional breadth within the major and a research capstone. Students interested in the pre-health sciences major should contact the program director as early as possible since specific courses are necessary for adequate preparation for entrance exams such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This is also true for students interested in medical or dental school opportunities who choose to major in a different discipline.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Program graduates comprehend and apply major organizing concepts in science.
  2. Students in the program participate in the process of science. This includes the design and execution of experiments, the critical evaluation of methods, results and conclusions, and the oral and written communication of such activities.
  3. Graduates from the program possess the skills and subject matter competence necessary to gain admittance to, and perform well in, graduate-level health sciences programs.
  4. Students in the program develop an understanding of the economic and social contexts surrounding the practice of medicine in the United States and are able to apply socioeconomic and ethical perspectives in analysis of current issues in health care.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Lower Division Major Prerequisites

Required Courses (42 Units)

Emphasis Courses (20 Units)

Select additional units from the list of electives below

* The Pre-Health Sciences, B.S. requires that students choose an emphasis.

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
  • 4 years of college preparatory English
  • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics
  • 2 years of social studies
  • 1 year of laboratory science
  • 1 year of performing art
  • 3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind

Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.

All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information*

Pre-M.D./D.O./D.D.S./D.Pharm.

1. Biology (AS-T) to Pre-Health Sciences: Pre-M.D./D.O./D.D.S./D.Pharm., B.S.

BS courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BS co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • BIOL 111     General Biology: Cells and Physiology (4)
    • BIOL 121     General Biology: Diversity and Ecology (4)
    • CHEM 103    General Chemistry I (4)
    • CHEM 104    General Chemistry II (4)
    • MATH 210    Calculus I (4)
    • PHYS 120 - General Physics I (4)
    • Or PHYS 130 - University Physics I (4)
    • PHYS 121 - General Physics II (4)
    • Or PHYS 131 - University Physics II (4)
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

2. Chemistry (AS-T) to Pre-Health Sciences: Pre-M.D./D.O./D.D.S./D.Pharm., B.S.

BS courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BS co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • BIOL 111     General Biology: Cells and Physiology (4)
    • BIOL 121     General Biology: Diversity and Ecology (4)
    • CHEM 103    General Chemistry I (4)
    • CHEM 104    General Chemistry II (4)
    • MATH 210    Calculus I (4)
    • PHYS 130 - University Physics I (4)
    • PHYS 131 - University Physics II (4)
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

Pre-M.P.T.

1. Biology (AS-T) to Pre-Health Sciences: Pre-M.P.T., B.S.

BS courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BS co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • BIOL 111     General Biology: Cells and Physiology (4)
    • BIOL 121     General Biology: Diversity and Ecology (4)
    • CHEM 103    General Chemistry I (4)
    • CHEM 104    General Chemistry II (4)
    • MATH 210    Calculus I (4)
    • PHYS 120 - General Physics I (4)
    • Or PHYS 130 - University Physics I (4)
    • PHYS 121 - General Physics II (4)
    • Or PHYS 131 - University Physics II (4)
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

2. Chemistry (AS-T) to Pre-Health Sciences: Pre-M.P.T., B.S.

BS courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BS co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • BIOL 111     General Biology: Cells and Physiology (4)
    • BIOL 121     General Biology: Diversity and Ecology (4)
    • CHEM 103    General Chemistry I (4)
    • CHEM 104    General Chemistry II (4)
    • MATH 210    Calculus I (4)
    • PHYS 130 - University Physics I (4)
    • PHYS 131 - University Physics II (4)
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

* The Pre-Health Sciences, B.S. requires that students choose an emphasis.

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application

For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:

  1. Fill out the re-application form
  2. Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission

Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:

  1. Fill out the re-admission form
  2. Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from FPU
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating Non Matriculating/Non-Degree status non-matriculation application
  2. Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
  3. Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
  4. Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class

Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating audit status
  2. Personal essays are not required

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements

This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.

  • Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
  • This guarantee does not apply to “fifth-year” programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor’s degree.
  • The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to FPU's degree completion programs.
  • Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
  • The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
  • Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
  • Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
  • Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
  • Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
  • Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
  • Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
  • Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
  • Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2023-2024
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $34,960
Student body fee $598
Total Tuition and Fees $35,548
Room $5,018
Board $5,130
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $45,696
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,248
Summer Session $500
Private Music Instruction $400
2022-2023
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $33,614
Student body fee $574
Total Tuition and Fees $34,188
Room and Board $8,884
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $43,072
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,218
Summer Session $400
Private Music Instruction $400
2021-2022
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $32,954
Student body fee $498
Total Tuition and Fees $33,452
Room and Board $8,710
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $42,162
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,177
Summer Session $300
Private Music Instruction $400

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophomore Housing

Module*FallSpring
Modules$4,313$4,313
Jost Modules$4,619$4,619 

* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)

Junior / Senior Housing

Suites & HousesFallSpring
Room only$2,068$2,068
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$2,719$2,719
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,276$3,276
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,400$4,400
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person)FallSpring
Apartment - Room only$2,694$2,694
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,345$3,345
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,902$3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,026$5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall  Apartments: 3 PersonFallSpring
Apartments - Room only$3,306$3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$3,958$3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost)$4,514$4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost)$5,639$5,639
Stand-Alone Meal PlansFallSpring
70 Block$651$651
140 Block$1,208$1,208
Full Access Meal Plan$2,332$2,332

* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.

Notes about housing

  • For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
  • Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
  • Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.

If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.

Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

NameGPAAmount
Paragon Full Tuition
President's4.00 GPA and above$18,000
Dean's3.75-3.99 GPA$15,000
Heritage3.50-3.75 GPA$14,000
Faculty3.25-3.49 GPA$12,000
Founder'sBelow a 3.0 GPA$8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

NameGPAAmount
Transfer Scholar3.50 GPA and above$14,000
Transfer Achievement3.0-3.49 GPA$10,000
Transfer Academic2.40-2.99 GPA$7,500
Transfer PartnershipBelow a 2.4 GPA$6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

NameAmount
Athletic$500 to Full Tuition
Music$400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts$500 to $4,000
Art/Design$500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

NameAmount
FPU Possibilities ScholarshipFull Tuition
Church Match$500 to $1,500
International Scholarshipup to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award$4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship$4,000
Other Awards$100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

NameAmount
Cal Grant A$9,358
Cal Grant B$1,648
Pell Grants$750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant$1,000

Federal Loans and Work-Study

NameAmount
Federal Direct$3,500 to $7,500
PLUS LoanUp to remaining cost
Work-studyContingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

Career Opportunities

With this degree, you'll gain the foundation for a broad range of careers within natural sciences or entry into medical or dental school. Common career paths include medical and dental careers, as well as a variety of allied health fields.

Career Possibilities

  • Nurse
  • Physician’s assistant
  • Physical therapist
  • Nutritionist

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center