Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences in Downers Grove

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

To be considered for admission into the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Program, applicants must submit their application in one of two ways:

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=ADMA).  Direct application includes a nonrefundable, nonwaivable application fee of $50.

Requirements for both application methods include:

1. One letter of recommendation (individual or committee letter).  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. Applicants must submit standardized test scores from GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT or 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.

The Master of Arts in 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. 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 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 to determine whether all prerequisite coursework has been completed satisfactorily or will be completed prior to potential matriculation and also to verify 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.

The 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.

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.
8. Submit a signed Credit Policy Statement.

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

10. 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.

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 quarter 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 Arts in Biomedical Sciences degree program and the Master of Biomedical Sciences degree program is prohibited. Master of Arts students who do not get accepted into a professional program after the first year cannot continue for a second year to get the Master of Biomedical Sciences 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 Arts in 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 Arts in Biomedical Sciences degree program.