Are you fascinated with the infinite complexity, rich beauty, and meaningful study of life? Is increasing your knowledge and understanding — in breadth as well as depth — in this vast field of study important to your career goals?

PLNU offers California’s only part-time master’s degree in general biology that’s specifically designed for working professionals. Whether you intend to become an educator at the college level, improve your teaching in middle/high school, or move into research or biotech, the program is designed to allow you to continue to advance in your professional pursuits while completing your degree. The deep foundational knowledge you gain will serve you equally well in the laboratory, boardroom, field, or classroom. A flexible program offers online courses during the year with monthly face-to-face meetings and summer intensive sessions that allow you to keep your full-time job while earning your degree.

Invigorate Your Passion for Science

PLNU's unique approach to the graduate experience in biology provides working professionals, particularly teachers, with the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of biological principles and methods, as well as explore the relationship between science and faith. You will once again be a student in the field of study you love. As you gain deeper knowledge in several areas of biology, your passion for science will grow even stronger. 

Earn Your Degree While Working

This part-time program can be completed in just over two years. Courses are scheduled around a typical school calendar, with light course loads in the fall and spring that require monthly meetings on campus (in Bakersfield or San Diego), and heavier coursework in the summer on the main campus in San Diego. The 34-unit program includes 10 units of required coursework in the history and philosophy of science, science education, and research design, and a research pilot study. The other 24 units include a variety of biology courses with labs, as well as options for internships.

Advance Your Career

Prepare for further graduate work in biology, advance on the pay scale within your district, open up new opportunities to teach at the community college level, or seek advancement in your biotech company. Field and lab experience, internships, small class sizes, published faculty, and courses that explore the intersection between faith and science all provide the experience and knowledge needed to further your career.

Choose either the thesis or non-thesis option:

Master of Science in General Biology: Non-Thesis Option

Have the flexibility of more electives, including additional biology coursework, research internships, and summer workshops or seminar series. This flexibility allows you to customize the degree to fit your needs and interests. If you’re looking to gain more expertise in various areas of biology or acquire internship experience in the field, the non-thesis option is a great fit. This option finishes with a comprehensive exam.

Master of Science in General Biology: Thesis Option

Research in biology education will play a large role in your studies if you choose to go down this path. Original research is required for a thesis on some aspect of teaching and learning in biology. If you’re an independent student and a good writer, the thesis option is a great fit.

Upon completion of the program, you’ll be able to:

• Discuss major concepts and theories in biology.

• Carry out and communicate various experimental methods and types of data analysis.

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in critical thinking, such as analysis and synthesis, as applied to primary literature in the field of biology and in science education.

• Distinguish between science and faith, and discuss the potential compatibility of both.

Are you ready to take the next step and apply?

We’re here to make the entire process a simple one. We’ll walk you through the application process, answer your questions, and get you one step closer to earning your degree.

Program Start Date(s):

• Spring 2023 – January 9, 2023

• Summer 2023 – May 8, 2023

• Fall 2023 – August 28, 2023

Application Deadline(s):

• Spring 2023 – December 19, 2022
• Summer 2023 – April 19, 2023
• Fall 2023 – August 9, 2023

All applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed based on availability of space.

Start Application

The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as an exceptions policy per your particular program.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission-under-exceptions process.

To be admitted into PLNU's Master of Science in General Biology program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript from the institution that indicates the completion of an undergraduate degree.

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

*Exceptions Policy: If you have a GPA below 3.0 in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit your online application for admissions (including a $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Submit two personal essays (200-300 words each) on the following topics:
   • Describe your reason(s) for pursuing your graduate degree in general biology and indicate your personal goals for the next five years.
   • Explain why you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in a Christian setting.

4. Submit two professional recommendations.

5. Test requirement: Either a Major Field Test (MFT) for biology (administered by PLNU with a $25 exam fee; contact admissions for more information), or a GRE subject test in biology. The MFT is preferred because the score is available immediately upon completion.

After all application materials are submitted, you will be contacted by PLNU's Department of Biology about scheduling an interview.

Start Application

PLNU’s M.S. in General Biology will prepare you to further your career as a working professional. For teachers, our program will enable you to teach life science and biology courses within middle schools, high schools, and community colleges. For professionals in biology-related nonprofit organizations or other specialized fields, this degree will grow your passion for science, provide you with expertise in various areas of biology, and empower you to advance in your company.

For information about the courses required for the General Biology, M.S. program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information