Admission: Master of Arts in Biomedical Science: College of Health Sciences: Arizona

Students in labAdmission Requirements
Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Requirements
Prerequisite Courses
Application Process
Technical Standards for Admission
Matriculation Process

Downloadable Application

Admission Requirements
The 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 Arts in Biomedical Sciences Program begins in the Fall Quarter (late August). Admission to the Biomedical Sciences Program is considered on a competitive basis for applicants who have achieved the required prerequisites. 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 Health Sciences until the class is filled. To maximize their competitiveness within our rolling admission process, candidates are advised to submit a completed application early in the admission cycle.

Students who have completed coursework outside the United States must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Of the 30 semester hours, 6 hours must be in non-remedial English composition and 3 hours must be in speech/communication.

Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences degree program, the applicant must:

  1. Possess a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or higher, preferably with a major in the sciences, from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. Possess a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a scale of 4.00 in all coursework completed for their bachelor’s or higher degree program.
  3. Submit two letters of recommendation (or one committee letter from the applicant’s college or university).
  4. Submit official transcripts from each college or university attended.
  5. Submit scores from one of the following: Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Medical College Admissions Tests (MCAT), Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), Dental Admissions Test (DAT), or other professional program admissions exam.
  6. Complete the typical prerequisite coursework for admission into medical, dental or pharmacy school, including biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English. It is the responsibility of incoming students to determine what prerequisites are required for the health professional program and institution of their choice.

Prerequisite Courses

Course Semester Hours Quarter Hours
English Composition 6 9
General Biology with lab 8 12
General Chemistry with lab 8 12
Organic Chemistry with lab 8 12
Physics (w/ lab) 4 6
Mathematics (College Algebra or above) 3 4

Students must complete the prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher (a “C-” will not be accepted).

  1. Pass a criminal background check.
  2. Agree to abide by Midwestern University Drug Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.

Students who have completed coursework outside the United States must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Of the 30 semester hours, 6 hours must be in non-remedial English composition and 3 hours must be in speech/communication.

Application Process
Individuals interested in applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Program may download an application from our Web site at www.midwestern.edu or obtain an application packet by writing or calling:

The Office of Admissions
Midwestern University
19555 North 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
623/572-3215
888/247-9277

To be considered for admission, the applicant must submit an application packet that includes the following:

  1. A properly completed Application for Admission to the Master of Arts in Biomedical Science Program.
  2. A nonrefundable, non-waivable application fee ($50 for the Master’s degree program).
  3. Two letters of recommendation (or one committee letter).

The letters of recommendation must be properly signed and sealed from professionals who know the applicant well. The Office of Admissions will accept letters from pre-health advisors/committees, science professors, and health professionals.
  1. Official transcripts from each college or university attended
Applicants must enclose official transcripts from every undergraduate, graduate, or professional school that they have attended or are currently attending. These transcripts must be sealed and signed by the registrar at each institution. If the applicant has completed coursework at an institution in a foreign country, he/she must also submit an official, detailed course-by-course evaluation of this coursework. The applicant must obtain this evaluation from one of the following services:

Education Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400
Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616
World Education Service (WES): 212/966-6311
  1. Scores from the Medical College Admission Tests (MCAT), Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Dental Admissions Test (DAT), or other professional program.
After receiving the completed application packet, an admission staff member verifies the information provided to determine whether all prerequisite coursework has been completed satisfactorily or will be completed prior to potential matriculation and to verify the applicant’s cumulative GPA for all completed courses. The application materials are reviewed to determine eligibility for an interview (invitation only). A phone interview is possible for those applicants who are unable to be interviewed in person. Completed applications and interview summaries are forwarded to the Biomedical Sciences Program Admissions Committee. Each applicant will be notified in writing of the admissions action/decision.

Please Note: An applicant can track the receipt of their application materials and the status of the file on our University website using instructions for accessing your account information that will be sent by the Office of Admissions after receipt of your application. Please notify us of any changes to your mailing address and e-mail address.

All requests for withdrawing an application must be done in writing. Contact information for the Office of Admissions is listed below:

The Office of Admissions
Midwestern University
19555 North 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
623/572-3215 or 888/247-9277
Email: admissaz@midwestern.edu

Technical Standards for Admission
Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Program

A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: I) observation; II) communication; III) motor; IV) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and V) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

I. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.

II. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.

III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular 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.

IV. 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.

V. 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 and the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships. Candidates 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 who do not meet the technical standards are encouraged to contact the Director of Admissions or the Program Director to discuss and identify what accommodations, if any, the College and/or Program Director would need to make in order for the candidate to meet the standards.

Matriculation Process
The matriculation process begins after an applicant receives notification of his/her acceptance into the Biomedical Sciences Program. The student must return both a signed matriculation agreement and an initial deposit to the Office of Admissions. The student must:

  1. Submit deposit monies by the date designated in his/her matriculation agreement. The entire deposit is applied toward the student’s first quarter tuition.
  2. Arrange to have final college transcript(s) submitted to the Office of Admissions no later than the date designated in the matriculation agreement.
  3. Successfully complete all outstanding prerequisites with the grade of a “C”, “C+” or higher. A “C-“ will not be accepted for any prerequisite course.
  4. Submit proof of completed required immunizations.
  5. Submit proof of medical insurance coverage. The student may select either a plan offered by an MWU-approved carrier or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier of the student’s choice.
  6. Satisfy the Technical Standards for the Program.
  7. Non-U.S. citizens/nonpermanent residents must provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending the College of Health Science.
  8. Provide documentation that any additional coursework or service requirements stipulated by the Program has been completed.
  9. Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
  10. Sign authorization allowing a criminal background check.
  11. Sign the MWU Drug Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
  12. Complete physical exam and submit this form and a completed medical file as requested by the Office of Student Services.
  13. Sign a Credit Policy Statement.

    If the student either fails to satisfy these matriculation requirements or omits/falsifies information required on official admissions documents, the student automatically forfeits his/her seat in the program. Any student accepted for admission who does not comply with stated timelines for submission of all required materials receives no further notification from the College relative to forfeiture of his/her seat.

Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Application

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Program Office