In a bid to increase their chances of matriculating, most students opt for a master’s program in medical sciences that will aid their admission into these medical schools. At the end of this article, you would have to know the best one-year master’s programs for medical schools, special masters programs, as well as, answers to some of the frequently asked questions.

Masters Programs For Medical Schools

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, just around 40 percent of applicants to medical schools matriculate. This implies that applicants must set themselves apart and be as competitive as possible. In order to set themselves apart, some go for Postbaccalaureate Premed Program while most students go ahead to acquire a master’s degree and other graduate degrees that will help increase their chances of getting into medical schools. There are usually two groups of people who obtain a graduate or master’s degree before going to medical school. The first group consists of people who do not intend to do medicine and who have graduated for a different professional purpose. Eventually, they decided to change careers in medicine but have an additional degree to start. The second group is made up of people who have always planned to do medicine and are planning to obtain or have already obtained a postgraduate degree before being admitted to medicine, mainly to become more attractive candidates. Presently, master’s programs in medical sciences are offered in various colleges and universities which can be used for medical schools. This can come in the form of special master’s programs for medical schools.

What are Special Masters Programs – SMP

Special Masters Programs are one- or two-year graduate degree programs designed with a premed student in mind. This is because schools that offer SMPs understand that most students will be enrolling to strengthen their application to medical school. As such, they design the programs to replicate aspects of medical school, including ensuring that students take courses along with first-year medical students and undergo national medical examinations. However, the master’s degree students earn at the completion of the requirements differs among the programs. Generally, students will receive a master’s in medical sciences or a master’s in medical physiology. Note that medical school admission committees are more interested in the type of course (the level of difficulty and if the courses are similar to those a first-year medical student takes) instead of the degree obtained.

How Medical School Admissions Committees View SMPs

By submitting your American Medical College Application Service, or AMCAS application, your undergraduate and graduate grades will be cumulated as separate GPAs. Notwithstanding, each medical school has its own system when considering these GPAs, but generally, if a candidate has a low undergraduate GPA, a high graduate GPA will help offset this. However, most medical schools tend to recognize SMPs as more rigorous and represent medical school better than other master’s degrees, for instance, an MBA. Therefore, a 4.0 from an SMP will be a better reflection of your academic capabilities as a future medical student.

Advantages of A Special Masters Program

The benefits of an SMP to a graduate student who intends to enroll in a medical school cannot be overemphasized. This is due to the fact that most special master’s programs will offer a variety of activities with the goals of premed students in mind. Many will provide research opportunities, which is useful especially if this is one of the weaknesses in your application. In addition, students have opportunities for clinical experience and volunteer work. Also, many will provide MCAT preparation and advice to ensure all medical school application requirements are under control.

Disadvantages of A Special Masters Program

Special master’s programs are not for everyone. The programs can be expensive, with tuition fees at some universities of up to $50,000 per year. In addition, you do have to apply to these programs, and although they cater to premeds that have lower GPAs, acceptance is not guaranteed. Students should also consider the time of their application. For instance, if the duration for a specific SMP is one year, it is ideal you submit your medical school application after having completed the program to prove your success. In summary, this means that you will not enroll in medical school until a year after the completion of the SMP. Furthermore, all prerequisite courses at your medical school must be completed before the SMP. In fact, the SMP will offer graduate-level courses, which will not meet the requirements of general science courses such as organic chemistry or physics.

Who Should Consider A Special Medical Program?

Generally, any student who wants to pursue a medical career can apply for an SMP. However, an SMP will be a necessity for the following:

A student who finished the medical school prerequisites with a low GPAA student who has his/her prerequisites a long time ago but lacks research and medical-related activities.Students who are unable to get admitted to medical school can enroll in an SMP.

Let’s look at some concrete examples of students for whom an SMP is an ideal way. One student completed college with below-average grades. He completed his medical school prerequisites, but his overall GPA was 3.4. In his case, if he does well in an SMP, he can show medical schools his true academic capabilities as he completes courses alongside current medical students. Another student completed a biology major but took 10 years off from school and ran a business. Although she has her prerequisites completed, she lacks research and medical-related activities. With an SMP, she can provide admissions committees with a more recent GPA and also have the opportunity to strengthen her extracurricular activities through the program. Conclusively, enrolling in a special master’s program can greatly improve your application to medical school. If you’re struggling to gain admission to medical school or want to improve your academic record before applying, an SMP may be what you need.

What are the Best One-Year Masters’s Programs For Medical Schools?

Below are some of the best one-year master’s programs students who wish to enroll in medical schools can earn:

Master’s in Medical PhysiologyMasters in Medical SciencesMaster in Biomedical Sciences Program

#1 Master’s in Medical Physiology

Medical Physiology is a study of the function of human biological systems at the level of whole organisms, tissues, cells, and molecules and also, how they relate and interact with each other. A one-year master’s program in medical physiology will help improve a college graduate’s academic record for application to medical schools and other professional programs such as Pharmacy, Dental, Veterinary Medicine, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, or the Basic or Applied Sciences (Ph.D.). Generally, the program curriculum provides a combination of both medical school and graduate school training as it is geared specifically for students interested in attending medical school.  In addition, graduates of this program will have a solid foundation for medical school, graduate school, and employment in academia, industry, or government positions.
Schools that offer this program include:

Medical College of WisconsinThe University of Illinois College of MedicineSpecial Masters Program in Physiology | Georgetown UniversityUniversity of CincinnatiKeck School of Medicine – University of Southern CaliforniaCase Western Reserve University

#2 Masters in Medical Sciences

Medical science covers many subjects that try to explain how the human body works and how to improve human health. Starting with basic biology it is generally divided into disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, and pathology with some biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, and genetics, among others. A master’s in medical sciences is one of the oldest and most successful special master’s programs in the United States. The program prepares students for a career in medicine by providing an academic environment that fosters integrity, collaboration, professionalism, cultural competence, and lifelong learning. 

Boston University – College of the MedicineUniversity of South FloridaWarren Alpert Medical School of Brown UniversityMississippi College

#3 Masters in Biomedical Sciences

The biomedical sciences are a body of science that applies parts of the natural sciences or the formal sciences, or both, to knowledge, interventions, or technologies that are useful in the field of medical care or public health. It offers a unique opportunity to improve students’ credentials to become competitive applicants for medical or other health professional schools.

Colorado State UniversityDrexel University College of Medicine

Conclusion

The article above breaks down the best one-year master’s programs for medical schools and the schools offer them. Also, we get to know what special master’s programs, the benefits, and the downsides, as well as, answers to some of the frequently asked questions. I hope this helps you in making your choice of master’s programs for medical schools. Good Luck and Success!!!

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References

How Special Master’s Programs Can Lead to Medical SchoolGetting a Graduate Degree Before Medical SchoolWill a Master’s or PhD Help My Medical School Admissions Chances?The School of Health