Admissions

The University of Massachusetts 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 Medical School. Further, UMass 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: 

University of Massachusetts Medical School 
55 Lake Avenue North (S1-710)   
Worcester, MA 01655 
Office Phone: 508 856-2179 
Fax: 508 856-1810 

The 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:

• Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Immunology & Microbiology
• Interdisciplinary
• Neuroscience 
• Translational Science  

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 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 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

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) 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 UMMS. Further, UMMS 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 at http://www.umassmed.edu/dio/equal-opportunity/

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

University of Massachusetts Medical School 
55 Lake Avenue North (S1-710) 
Worcester, MA 01655 
Office Phone: 508 856-2179 
Fax: 508 856-1810

You are invited to explore the admissions requirements per program below.

PhD Biomedical Sciences (umbrella program) 
PhD Clinical and Population Health Research
MD/PhD 
Millennium PhD
MS Clinical Investigation 
Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

The programs within the 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

The PhD is an umbrella program in 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:
Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Cancer Biology
Clinical & Population Health Research
Immunology & Microbiology
Interdisciplinary
MD/PhD
Millennium PhD
Neuroscience
Translational Science

Master's in Clinical Investigation

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

Outreach Programs

Outreach programs include:
Summer Undergraduate Research Program 
High School Health Careers Program
Summer Enrichment Program
Worcester Pipeline Collaborative

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

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.

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.”

The following technical standards specify those attributes the faculty considers necessary for pre-doctoral or doctoral study at UMMS GSBS and therefore, are pre-requisites for admission, progression and completion.

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

1. Observation
2. Communication
3. Sensory and Motor Function
4. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
5. Behavioral and Social

More detailed descriptions of these standards are available in the GSBS 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 UMMS 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.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences has a number of programs of study each with its own Frequently Asked Questions related to admissions.

Click through the links below to explore individual program admissions requirements including Frequently Asked Questions.

Basic & Biomedical Sciences PhD 
Includes the following programs:

• Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
• Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Computational Biomedical Sciences and Engineering
• Immunology & Microbiology
• Interdisciplinary
• Neuroscience
• Translational Science

Clinical & Population Health Research PhD 
Health Sciences Preparatory Program
MD/PhD 
Millennium PhD
MS in Clinical Investigation 
Pathway to Graduate Study Program