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Statement of Non-Discrimination

The UMass Chan Medical School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, national origin, covered veteran status, disability, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law in employment, admissions, participation in its programs, services and activities, and selection of vendors who provide services or products to UMass Chan Medical School. Further, UMass Chan Medical School is firmly committed to ensuring that all who work, study, visit or seek treatment here may do so in an environment free of harassment and/or discrimination.

Further information is available on the Diversity and Inclusion website.

Questions concerning this notice can be directed to the Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion. Questions concerning Title IX may be directed to the designated campus Title IX Officer. Either can be reached at:

UMass Chan Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North (S1-710)
Worcester, MA 01655
Phone: 508 856-2179
Fax: 508 856-1810

Programs of Study in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

The programs within the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences train students in their selected specialty area and emphasize a broad background in the basic medical sciences, in preparation for research with direct relevance to human disease. We welcome you to explore our many program offerings below.

PhD in Biomedical Sciences

Academic Programs within the PhD include:

Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Cancer Biology
Clinical and Population Health Research
Immunology and Microbiology
Interdisciplinary
MD/PhD
Millennium PhD (UMass Chan Medical School Affiliates Only)
Neuroscience
Translational Science

Master's in Clinical Investigation (UMass Chan Medical School Affiliates Only)

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

Outreach Programs

Outreach programs include:

Applications and Admissions

The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers multiple programs of study, detailed below.

Contact Admissions

PhD Basic Biomedical Sciences Programs

The PhD is an umbrella program in the basic biomedical sciences. Students benefit from the opportunity to rotate in three research groups in their first year, prior to joining a specific group and program of study.

Programs within the PhD include:

Please review admissions requirements

PhD Clinical and Population Health Research

The PhD is a transdisciplinary program with a focus on epidemiology, biostatistics and health services research.
Please review admissions requirements

MD/PhD

The dual degree trains physician scientists who may choose either the basic and biomedical sciences or clinical and population health PhD track.
Please review admissions requirements

Millennium PhD

UMass Chan affiliated physicians who are interested in pursuing a PhD are welcome to explore this program option.
Please review admissions requirements

Master's in Clinical Investigation

UMass Chan affiliated clinicians can pursue a master's concentrating in population based clinical or bench-to-bedside translational research.
Please review admissions requirements

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

The NIH funded PREP prepares students for PhDs and MD/PhDs in biomedical science. Students may choose either the basic and biomedical sciences or clinical and population health track.
Please review admissions requirements

Register for courses as a non-degree student

Please visit the registration webpage to find the most current course catalog and instructions for non-degree student registration.

Transfer of Credits

The GSBS at UMMS does not allow for transfer of credits.

Transfer from another School

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMMS does not accept transfer students. Students wishing to become matriculated at UMMS must apply for admission, and must receive favorable review from the Admissions Committee. This process could be expedited if needed, such that review, admission and matriculation could occur off-cycle. Students admitted to the program would have to meet all requirements, though some flexibility can be granted on a case-by-case basis regarding waivers for specific course work or for laboratory rotations. Transfer credits will not be given. Matriculated students must pass the UMMS GSBS qualifying exam; this is not negotiable.

Criminal Background Checks

Applicants to the Clinical and Population Health Research Program (CPHR) and the CPHR track of the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) are conditionally accepted, in part, pending a satisfactory background check. If the school receives a positive response, the matter will be referred to the Committee to Review Criminal Background Checks according to the school’s “Procedure for Reviewing and Acting Upon Criminal Background Checks.”

Technical Standards for Admission & Graduation

The following technical standards specify those attributes the faculty considers necessary for pre-doctoral or doctoral study at Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and therefore, are pre-requisites for admission, progression and completion.

A student must possess aptitude, abilities, and skills in five areas:

Observation
Communication
Sensory and Motor Function
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
Behavioral and Social

More detailed descriptions of these standards are available in the Student Handbook.

Accommodations and use of an intermediary

While accommodations can be made for some disabilities, applicants and students must be able to perform the duties of a student and researcher in an independent manner.

For more information see UMass Chan policies on Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act.

The use of an intermediary would result in the mediation of a student's judgment by another person's powers of selection and observation. Therefore, the use of an intermediary to assist the student in meeting the technical standards for admission, continuation or completion would mean that a student’s judgment is mediated by another individual and thus is not permitted.

Admissions FAQs

Admissions Requirements

Who is eligible to apply?

For the Biomedical Sciences Umbrella and Clinical and Population Health Research programs, a bachelor’s degree is required. One may apply while completing their degree, if it is earned prior to matriculation.

For the Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), it is required to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, received a bachelor’s degree within 3 years or less of applying, and be an underrepresented student in the sciences as defined by the NIH.

For the Millennium PhD and the MS-Clinical Investigation, a bachelor’s degree is required, and one must be an affiliate of UMass Chan Medical School. An affiliate may include medical students as well as residents, fellows or postdocs who hold an MD, DO, PhD, DNP, PharmD or other relevant degree, or with permission of the Program Director and Dean. Those not affiliated with UMass Chan Medical School are not eligible to apply.

What do the Admissions Committees look for when making decisions?

Applications are reviewed holistically, considering cognitive and non-cognitive variables, as well as fit for the program. Admissions Committees look for strong academics, prerequisite coursework, research and other relevant experience, and career aspirations and research interests that align with the program.

Is prerequisite coursework necessary?

For the Biomedical Sciences Umbrella program, please see prerequisites information here.

For the Clinical and Population Health Research program, one year of graduate level biostatistics and one year of epidemiology or other research methods training with a B or better is required prior to matriculation.

Is the GRE required?

No, the GRE is not required nor considered for any program.

What do I need to submit if I am an international applicant?

All international applicants are required to submit a course-by-course evaluated transcript from a NACES member and TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic scores. Original transcripts are not required, and unofficial transcripts and test scores can be used to apply in lieu of official ones.

Do you have minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores?

The Admissions Committees look for a 100 total TOEFL score and 17 or higher on each subsection, or a 7 or higher overall IELTS score, with no subscore lower than a 6.5.

When do the programs begin?

All programs, with the except of Millennium PhD, begin once each Fall semester. The Millennium PhD can be started in the Spring or Summer with permission of the Program Director.

Do you take transfer students or credits?

While transfer credit is not available, prior graduate coursework may be considered for waiving certain requirements. Course waivers are granted only after matriculation.

Do you offer part-time programs?

Programs are only offered full-time and as such, are not built to support working outside of graduate school.

What is the funding structure?

All programs are fully funded, with a competitive annual stipend for the duration of the program, a full tuition and fees waiver and health insurance is provided. Please see our funding page for details.

Application Process

How do I apply?

For the PhD in Biomedical Sciences Umbrella program only, applications are processed through BioMedCAS. Please note students enter an umbrella program, rotating in varied research areas before committing to one toward the end of their first year. For this reason, one does not apply directly into a specific graduate program. No supplemental application or fee is required.

For all other PhD and MS programs, please find the application here.

Do I need to reach out to faculty members during the application process?

Reaching out to faculty members is not required nor expected before or during the application process. It will not have a bearing on one's admission decision. You are welcome to reach out to the Admissions Office with any questions at GSBSAdmissions@umassmed.edu.

What are the required application materials?

All applicants are required to submit the application and fee, all unofficial transcripts from any college or university attended, a resume, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. International applicants are required to submit a course-by-course evaluated transcript and unofficial TOEFL or IELTS scores. Please note all official transcripts, and English test scores if appropriate, are required prior to matriculation

Applicants applying to the umbrella program will submit materials via BioMedCAS.

All other program applicants, upload the documents as part of the application here.

When is the deadline by program?

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm (EST) on the dates indicated below.

Biomedical Sciences Umbrella: December 1st
Clinical and Population Health Research: January 1st priority, May 1st final
PREP: February 28th
Master’s in Clinical Investigation: July 1st
Millennium PhD: June 1st