Health Sciences Preparatory Program
The Health Sciences Preparatory Program (HSPP) has two specific goals:
- Enhance student diversity in professional health sciences.
- Enhance the educational preparedness of students for participation in health sciences programs.
This program contributes to these goals by providing a curriculum in which each student is taught principles that are foundational to professional health sciences programs in medicine, nursing or biomedical research. The HSPP comprises a year-long curriculum and training experience that combines instruction in the core academic subjects of biochemistry, physiology and epidemiology/ biostatistics together with courses focused on professional skills development.
The result is a cadre of students who are well grounded in disciplines considered essential for competitive admission into and long-term success in professional health sciences programs. The HSPP is designed as a pre-matriculation program for enrollment in the School of Medicine (SOM), but classes are also available to those interested in preparation for enrollment in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) or the Graduate School of Nursing (GSN).
HSPP Leadership Team:
Mariann Manno, M.D., EdM, FAAP
Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine
Associate Dean for Admissions-School of Medicine and
Prematriculation Programs
admissions@umassmed.edu
Deborah Harmon Hines, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Radiology
Special Assistant to the Provost
deborah-harmon.hines@umassmed.edu
Kendall L. Knight, Ph.D.
Professor, Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
Assistant Vice Provost for Admissions, UMMS
Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
kendall.knight@umassmed.edu
Criteria for eligibility, enrollment, and academic advancement
Students gain access to the HSPP following an initial application to the School of Medicine (SOM) through the normal SOM application process. The SOM will review each applicant using selection criteria outlined on the School of Medicine - Office of Admissions website.
The SOM admissions committee will select those students who fulfill requirements for consideration as disadvantaged or under-represented minorities and who, based on prior experience, would benefit from an additional year of study and preparation before reapplying to medical school. These students will be interviewed to determine fit for the program and upon successful interview will be offered admission to the HSPP. Selected HSPP applicants will be invited to visit the school and upon acceptance will be required to undergo a criminal background check prior to matriculation.
Students undertaking the HSPP courses and practicum are not assured admission to the SOM upon completion but are strongly encouraged to reapply for admission.
Academic advancement requires an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Enrollment period
The HSPP follows the SOM academic year, typically early August - through May. HSPP courses are also open to any SOM, GSN or GSBS student.
Curriculum
The HSPP curriculum takes place over the full academic year and consists of two aspects: Core and Professional Skills
1. Core Curriculum
1. HSP 500 Building Working Cells and Tissues - 5 credits
2. HSP 502 Medical Physiology & Histology - 6 credits (equivalent to part of SOM “Development, Structure & Function”)
3. HSP 503 Epidemiology/Biostatistics - 3 credits
For all courses, on average each hr of class time requires 2 hr of additional preparation time.
2. Professional Skills Curriculum
1. HSP 504 Academic Achievement – 2 credits
2. HSP 505 Clinical Medicine – 2 credits
3. HSP 506 Clinical Immersion – 2 credits
The Health Sciences is designed to be a “pathway” to admission to the health sciences programs at UMMS. Accordingly, the fees are competitive.
Fees are assessed in fall and spring and are $110 per credit. Full-time students (12 credits per semester) are assessed at $1,320 per semester.
Students must provide evidence of medical insurance while matriculated in the HSPP. Alternatively, students may purchase health coverage from UMMS at a total cost of $4,399.00 (health insurance = $3,702.00; health fee = $697.00).
Financial assistance is available through our Office of Financial Aid and can be reached via (508) 856-2265 or (877) 210-2238 or financialaid@umassmed.edu.