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Fast Facts

Degree

Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (M.A.B.S.)

General Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
• DAT, MCAT, GRE General Test, PCAT, OAT or other professional exam scores

Length of Program

9 months, full-time; begins fall quarter only

Class Size

85

2016 Class Profile (Class of 2017)

• Female:  51%
• Male:  49%
• Average Age:  24
• Average Overall GPA:  3.26
• Class Size:  85
• Top Home States:  Illinois (66%), Michigan, California, Indiana, Wisconsin

Postgraduate Education Opportunities

• Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, Optometry, and Podiatry
• Ph.D. Programs in the sciences

Career Opportunities

• Healthcare Professional School
• Governmental and regulatory agencies
• Teaching

The MA degree is not considered a terminal degree and the salary the MA graduate earns will be determined by the professional career they enter.

Graduation Rate (2016)

• 78% (62/79) of the students matriculating in the class of 2016 graduated from the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences degree program.
• 90% (71/79) of matriculants either graduated or were accepted into a professional program.

MWU Outcomes (2016)

• 84% (52/62) of the class graduating in 2016 have been accepted into professional programs (Medicine, Dentistry or other healthcare programs)¹.

¹ Class of 2016 Biomedical Sciences-Illinois May 2016 exit survey (91% [72/79] of matriculants responding) and MWU Professional School Admissions.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Biomedical Science degree program, applicants must submit the following documented evidence:

1. Completion of 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. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a scale of 4.00 for all coursework completed.
3. Two letters of recommendation (or one committee letter from the applicant's college or university).
4. Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
5. Test scores from one of the following:

• 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
  OR
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores. Contact the MCAT Program Office at 202/828-0690 or visit www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat
  OR
• Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores. Contact the American Dental Association (ADA) at 312/440-2500 or visit www.ada.org.
  OR
• Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) scores. Contact Harcourt Assessment, Inc. (also known as Pearson) at 800/622-3231 or visit www.pcatweb.info
  OR
• Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) scores. Contact Optometry Admission Testing Program at 800/232-2159 or www.opted.org.

6. Completion of the typical prerequisite coursework for admission into medical, dental, optometry, veterinary medicine or pharmacy schools, including biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, and English; prospective students are responsible for determining the prerequisites for the health professional program and institution of their choice.
7. Completion of the prerequisite courses with grades of C or better (grades of C- are not acceptable).
8. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
9. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check.

PREREQUISITE COURSES

Additional Applicant Information

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (M.A.) degree is a full-time, three-quarter, graduate level, coursework only program. This program is designed to help students with a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a major in the sciences, improve their academic foundation in the biomedical sciences and enhance their credentials for admission into medical school or other health professional program. All students take a total of 45 quarter hour credits: 41 required core credits and 4 elective credits. Core courses include: Biochemistry I & II, Human Anatomy (with lab), Human Genetics, Human Physiology I & II, Pathophysiology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Immunology, Pharmacology I, II & III, Neuroscience, and Professional Development. The elective credits, offered in a variety of disciplines, include other biomedical science courses and professional preparation courses e.g. Alternative Therapies & Natural Products, Biomedical Imaging, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Development of Newly Approved Drug Therapies, Ethics of Research & Experimentation, Fundamentals of Research, Lab Research, Medical Spanish, Nutrition in Preventative Medicine, and Research Design & Methodology. These electives improve critical thinking and enhance the student’s preparation for professional school applications.

NOTE: Transferrring between degree programs is prohibited. MBS students who leave after their first year will not be granted an MA degree. MA students who do not get accepted into a professional program after the the first year cannot "stay on" for a second year to get the MBS degree.

Mission

The Midwestern University Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences Program provides students with an in-depth education in the biomedical sciences and graduates students who are competitive applicants for admission into professional programs in healthcare.

Planned Program Improvements

• Decrease in Biochemistry credits for the Fall and Winter Quarters.
• A new 1 credit Human Genetics required course in Spring.
• Four (4) elective credits required to complete program. 

Accreditation

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413.

Related Links

MWU MBS in Biomedical Sciences Program in Downers Grove

MWU MBS in Biomedical Sciences Program in Glendale

MWU MA in Biomedical Sciences Program in Glendale

Biomedical Sciences as a Career    

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)

Biomedical Sciences MA/MBS Comparison

Campus Safety

Students on the Downers Grove Campus benefit from a safe and secure suburban learning environment. Located 25 miles west of Chicago, our beautiful gated campus features 105-acres of wooded land and provides students with excellent living and learning opportunities. In addition, the University maintains a strong record of campus safety and has earned several partnership and citizen awards from local fire and police departments.

At Midwestern University, the safety and security of all members of our academic community is a top priority. For more information about our campus safety statistics, visit the national Campus Safety and Security database at http://ope.ed.gov/security/index.aspx.