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Apply | Master of Biomedical Sciences in Downers Grove

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Biomedical Sciences Admission

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Biomedical Sciences Program, an applicant must have:

  1. A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
  3. Test scores from either:
    • Graduate Record Examination general test (GRE) using the institutional code for Midwestern University of 1769. Contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 866/473-4373 or visit http://www.ets.org.
    • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores. Contact the MCAT Program Office at 202/828-0690 or visit http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat
    • Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores. Contact the American Dental Association (ADA) at 312/440-2500 or visit www.ada.org.
    • Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) scores. Contact Harcourt Assessment, Inc. (also known as Pearson) at 800/627-7271 or visit www.pcatweb.info.
    • Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) scores.
      Contact Optometry Admission Testing Program at 800/232-2159 or www.opted.org
  4. One letter of recommendation from a prehealth advisor or committee, science professor, or health professional.
  5. Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
  6. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
  7. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

An international student must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post-secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, 6 hours in non-remedial English composition, and 3 hours in speech/public speaking.

Applicants who wish to receive credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the U.S. or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

  • Education Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 (www.ece.org, e-mail:eval@ece.org)
  • World Education Service (WES): 212/219-7330 (www.wes.org)
  • Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338 (www.jsilny.com, e-mail:info@jsilny.com)

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable U.S. or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

International Applicant Packet

Technical Standards for Admission

Technical Standards set forth the nonacademic abilities considered essential for students to achieve the level of competence required by the faculty to obtain the academic degree awarded by the college. Candidates must be able to perform the following abilities and skills:

  1. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand, including those on a computer screen or electronic device. Observation necessitates the functional use of vision and sense of touch and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.
  2. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate in English, proficiently and sensitively, in verbal and written form, and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.
  3. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine motor movements, maintain equilibrium and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks. 
  4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner.  The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.
  5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships.  Candidate must be able to tolerate physically, mentally and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress.  The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties.  Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Candidates are required to verify that they understand and are able to meet these Technical Standards at least 4 weeks prior to matriculation (or if admitted later, within 1 week of deposit).  Candidates who may only meet Technical Standards with accommodation, must contact the Disability Services Office to make a formal request for accommodation.  The Disability Committee, in consultation with the College Dean/Program Director, will determine what reasonable accommodations can be provided.  The College is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. 

Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment at the College.  After matriculation, if a student fails to continue to meet the Technical Standards during subsequent enrollment, the student may apply for accommodation by contacting the Disability Services Office.  If the accommodation needed to meet the Technical Standards alters the educational standards of the curriculum, the student’s ability to satisfactorily progress in the curriculum will be evaluated by the appropriate College’s Student Graduation and Promotion Committee.

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Application Process and Deadlines

To be considered for admission into the Master of Biomedical Sciences Program, applicants must submit the following items to the Office of Admissions:

Apply through the Post Baccalaureate Centralized Application Service (PostBacCAS; https://postbaccas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login). PostBacCAS allows students to learn about, compare, and apply to a number of post baccalaureate programs through one centralized application.

OR

Apply online through the Midwestern University direct application (for applicants applying to only the MWU program; https://online.midwestern.edu/public/initapp.cgi?prog=ADMB). Direct application includes a nonrefundable, nonwaivable application fee of $50.

Requirements for both application methods include:

  1. One letter of recommendation. The Office of Admissions will accept signed and sealed letters from prehealth advisors or committees, science professors, and health professionals.
  2. Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
  3. Scores from one of the following: the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Dental Admissions Test (DAT), or Optometry Admissions Test (OAT).
  4. The deadline for submitting a completed application is July 15.

Send application materials to:

Midwestern University
Office of Admissions
555 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
800/458-6253
admissil@midwestern.edu

Please note: Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address or e-mail address. All requests for applications withdrawal must be made in writing.

Selection Process

The Master of Biomedical Sciences Program uses a rolling admission process in which completed applications are reviewed and decisions are made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. The Master of Biomedical Sciences Program begins in the Fall Quarter. Multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates, including selection of those students the Admissions Committee feels would benefit the most from the Program. Selection decisions for the Program are made by the Biomedical Sciences Program Admissions Committee with the approval of the Program Director and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies until the class is filled. To maximize their competitiveness within the rolling admission process, candidates are advised to submit their completed applications early in the admission cycle.

After receiving completed application packets, the information provided is verified, including the cumulative GPAs for applicants for all completed courses. Completed applications are forwarded to the Biomedical Sciences Program Admissions Committee. Applicants will receive notification in writing of admissions decisions.

Please Note: Applicants may track the receipt of their application materials and the status of their files on the University's website. Instructions for accessing account information will be sent to the applicant by the Office of Admissions after receipt of the application. Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their telephone number, mailing address or e-mail address.

Matriculation Process

The matriculation process begins after applicants receive notification of their acceptance. To complete the matriculation process, applicants must:

  1. Submit the matriculation agreement and required deposit monies by the date designated in the matriculation agreement. Deposits are applied towards the first quarter's tuition.
  2. Submit official final transcripts from all colleges attended post-high school by the deadline of two weeks (14 days) prior to the first day of classes. Students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes will have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be sent to and approved by the Office of the Dean of the college. Students who fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline may jeopardize their acceptance or continued enrollment in the College.
  3. Submit completed medical files documenting completion of a physical exam, immunizations, tuberculosis and titer blood testing as instructed by the Office of Student Services and detailed in the Student Handbook.
  4. Meet the Technical Standards for the College.
  5. Submit proof of medical and disability insurance coverage. Students may select either a plan offered by an MWU-approved carrier or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier of their choice, as determined by the Office of Student Services. Insurance must be maintained throughout the entire period of enrollment.
  6. Submit additional documents as requested by the Office of Admissions or College.
  7. Students who are requesting an F-1 visa or who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must prepay tuition and in some cases other mandatory program fees for the first year of their educational program 6 weeks before the first day of the first quarter of each academic year. Furthermore, the student must prepay tuition and in some cases other mandatory program fees for each successive year at the start of each academic year on the University’s stated due date. Submit a signed Credit Policy Statement.

  8. Authorize and pass the MWU criminal background check and/or fingerprinting background check as required by the specific College/School/Program.

  9. Submit a signed MWU Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy Statement.

Applicants who fail to satisfy these matriculation requirements or who omit or falsify information required on official admission documents automatically forfeit their seat in the program. Any individual accepted for admission to the college/program who does not comply with stated timelines for submission of all required materials receives no further notification from the college regarding the forfeiture of their seat.

Related Information

Transfer Course Credit

Students may request the transfer of previous graduate coursework taken at another accredited university to this degree program. However, no more than 9 credit hours can be accepted as transfer credit. Policies for course transfers can be found in the Midwestern University College of Graduate Studies Catalog section titled Advanced Placement/Exemption from Coursework.

Transferring Between Programs

Transferring between the Master of Biomedical Sciences degree program and the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences degree program is prohibited. Master of Biomedical Sciences students who leave the program after their first year will not be granted a Master of Arts degree. Students who complete coursework in one Biomedical Sciences program are ineligible for admission into the other Biomedical Sciences program.

Transferring from a Program Outside of Midwestern University

The Master of Biomedical Sciences degree program does not accept transfer students from a Master's Program outside of Midwestern University. Students would need to apply for admission to the Master of Biomedical Sciences degree program.

Dual-Degree Options

The Biomedical Sciences Program offers an educational opportunity to current MBS students applying to other colleges at Midwestern University. The following policies apply:

  1. Current MBS students must apply and be accepted into a clinical program on the Downers Grove campus.
  2. The clinical degree program will be considered the primary degree program and the Biomedical Sciences Program the secondary degree program. Continuity of the primary degree program must be maintained.
  3. The length of the secondary program will be extended for a time period sufficient to complete the secondary degree program. This may take up to a year depending upon the primary program. Programs may be individualized to accommodate availability of desired courses, academic proficiency, and student preferences. As a secondary degree program, the Biomedical Sciences Program degree must be completed within a total of five years from initial matriculation.
  4. Students must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA requirements of each program. Failure to maintain the minimum cumulative GPA in either program will result in an academic action.
  5. The number of credits required for completion of the Biomedical Sciences Program is 72 quarter hours. Some courses from dual degree students' clinical degree program may be deemed suitable for credit in the Biomedical Sciences Program degree program. If approved, these courses may be substituted for credit in the Biomedical Sciences. No Biomedical Sciences Program tuition will be charged for these credits.
  6. In addition to the established quarterly tuition for the primary degree program, students enrolled in the dual degree program shall pay tuition to the Master of Biomedical Sciences program on a per credit basis. Dual degree students shall receive a 30% discount on the usual Master of Biomedical Sciences Program per credit hour charge for the full duration of their Master of Biomedical Sciences degree program. Master of Biomedical Sciences Program tuition is payable quarterly and determined by the number of credits for which the student is registered.

Related Links

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Program Office

Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Optometry Admissions Testing Program (OAT)

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