Indiana University Special Master's

Indiana University School of Medicine offers a special master's program called, The Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) which was created in 1995 with an objective of helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds enhance their preparation and confidence to be successful in completing a medical school curriculum.

The program is based on the understanding that some students may require additional skill-building experiences and enhanced knowledge of learning strategies to become successful in their medical career.

Program Focus

This special master's program is for students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds who have completed all of their premedical requirements.

Structure

First Year

Fall Semester

• Introductory Biochemistry (3 hrs)
• Basic Histology (4 hrs)
• Human Physiology (4 hrs)
• PBL in Medical Science (1 hr)

Spring Semester

• Functional Human Gross Anatomy (5 hrs)
• Infectious Microbes & Host Interactions (3 hrs)
• PBL in Medical Science (1 hr)

Second Year

Fall Semester

• Basic Human Genetics (3 hrs)
• Drugs, Diseases and Poison (3 hrs)
• Regenerative Biology and Medicine (3 hrs)

Spring Semester

• Neuroanatomy (3 hrs)
• Research in Medical Science (3 hrs)

All admitted students are required to complete an intensive Medical College Admission Test Preparation Program offered at the school before starting the graduate curriculum in the fall semester.

Students may spend either 1 or 2 years in the MSMS program before being admitted to medical school.

Eligibility

To enroll at Indiana University you must qualify as being disadvantaged, either economically or educationally. Also as an underrepresented minority you must have already met the basic requirements for medical school.

They state a GPA minimum of 3.0 but the whole academic record will be considered. The final requirement is having taken the MCAT and scoring at least a 6 in each section of the exam.

Admissions

You can be invited to enroll in the MSMS program if you were unsuccessful in gaining entry to the Indiana University School of Medicine or you may apply directly to the program.

There is a preliminary application form found online which you can complete and the admissions office will determine whether the program will meet your needs. If you meet the initial admissions criteria an application package will be sent to you.

Otherwise screening takes place on the level of:

• Having a bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution
• Completing all of your premedical requirements
• Taken the MCAT with no section below a 6
• Essay on health disparities in your community.

There is a nonrefundable application fee of $50.00 (if you decide to apply after meeting the admission criteria).

One final component of the admissions process is the personal interview. Only selected applicants will be invited.

Deadline

The application cycle starts on October 15 and ends on March 15 each year.