Master of Biomedical Sciences

• Apply principles from cellular biology, physiology, pharmacology, and other biomedical disciplines to real-world clinical and research scenarios. (ILO1, ILO5)
• Critically assess scientific literature, interpreting experimental data, and applying findings to clinical or research questions. (ILO1, ILO5, ILO7)
• Identify gaps in knowledge and use modern strategies to formulate testable hypotheses. (ILO1, ILO5, ILO7)
• Evaluate ethical considerations in biomedical research and health care.  (ILO1, ILO2)
• Clearly articulate biomedical topics, through oral and written communications for a wide range of audiences. (ILO1, ILO3)
• Integrate knowledge of social determinants into biomedical research and healthcare approaches, to develop strategies that promote health equity and improve patient outcomes. (ILO1, ILO4, ILO6)
• Engage respectfully and productively in interdisciplinary and multicultural environments. (ILO1, ILO3)

• All SMU students have access to extensive databases and articles within our library system and a highly trained library staff to assist your research needs
• Personal Statement assistance through MBS 6000 course
• Mock interview preparation for all professional school tracks
• Students untilize Career Connect as a one-stop shop for Career Services. Here, you can receive assistance for resumes, cover letters, and job exploration with your Student Services Coordinator. 
• Access to academic support and graduate / doctoral student tutors

How long is the MBS program?
The MBS program is 35 credit hours completed in one year (3 semesters). Due to our course schedule, the program cannot be completed in less than 3 semesters. However, the program allows flexibility if a student wishes to extend the length of the program as long as it is completed within 7 years of your start date.

Can I complete the MBS program in-person or online?
The MBS program is located at our Oakland, CA campus. Students can elect to take classes in-person or through our synchronous remote option. Faculty members primarily teach from the classroom or lab. Students either join the professor in-person in the classroom, or they join remotely at the time class is being offered (PT). If you choose to learn remotely, you are expected to participate with your professors and peers, and you are highly encouraged to have your camera turned on. Our synchronous remote option availability varies by state. Please inquire with any questions.  

Can I work during the program?
We encourage students to focus on their rigorous graduate studies while enrolled in the MBS program. Our classes are offered at set times based on faculty availability and we cannot schedule your lectures or labs around your work schedule. If you must work, we encourage you to consider part-time employment to maximize your success in the MBS program. You may also wish to speak to our Program Director to consider part-time enrollment.

What are the technology requirements for the program?
Students must be able to satisfy computer hardware and software system requirements prior to enrolling in classes to complete assignments and assessments. While smartphones are convenient and may be utilized for some course functions, they cannot be the primary device for completing program coursework.

We actively collaborate with professional schools to provide our MBS students with networking and advocacy opportunities for their healthcare futures. Please review our signed professional school affiliation agreement details below for Dental, Medical, Physician Assistant, and Podiatric Medicine.

This information represents a summary of the key agreement details. MBS program administration will assist students in confirming full agreement details. Agreements may be updated on an annual basis.

Students who have previously matriculated into a professional healthcare program may not qualify for these agreements.

Dental School Interview Agreements:

1. Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM)

Available for an unlimited number of SMU MBS graduate students each year who:

1. Meet all general admissions requirements published on the LMU-CDM website at the time of application, https://www.lmunet.edu/college-of-dental-medicine/doctor-of-medicine-in-dentistry/admissions,
   1. Have a preferred minimum DAT AA of 18 (convert to new scale),
   2. Have a preferred cumulative graduate GPA of 3.4 or higher from the SMU MBS program,
   3. Complete all required prerequisite courses as published on LMU-CDM’s website at the time of application.

2. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM)

Details provided directly to MBS students.

Medical School Interview Agreements:

1. California Health Sciences University (CHSU)

Available for up to five (5) SMU MBS students who meet all CHSU admissions requirements:

1. Submit a primary application to AACOMAS,
   1. Submit a secondary application to CHSU including a signature which attests the candidate meets the minimum health requirements and technical standards that are prerequisite to admission as listed in the CHSU catalog,
   2. Submit a favorable letter of recommendation from SMU’s academic advisor or counselor,
   3. All other requirements set forth in the CHSU Admissions policy, including: submit a criminal background check, undergo drug screening, and assure compliance with all immunizations listed in the policy.
   4. Complete all required courses as identified in the CHSU published admissions policy before graduation from the SMU MBS program,
   5. Maintain both a science and overall GPA of 3.2 or greater with the SMU MBS program,
   6. Obtain a score at or above the 50th percentile on the MCAT within the timeframe indicated in the CHSU admission requirements,
   7. Demonstrate a commitment to health care by completing at least fifty (50) health care volunteer, community service, or shadowing hours,
   8. Comply with all other requirements for students set forth in the interview agreement or in the published CHSU Admissions policy.

2. Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM)

Available for up to a total of ten (10) SMU MBS students each year who:

2. Meet all general admissions requirements, including minimum MCAT and GPA as published on ICOM’s website at the time of application; 501 or higher on the MCAT with all subsections above 35%, 3.2 or higher for overall and science GPAs within MBS program,
   1. Complete all required prerequisite courses as published on ICOM’s website (https://www.icom.edu/admission-aid/requirements/) at the time of application with a C or higher,
   2. One letter of recommendation from a pre-health advisor or hard sciences faculty member with a PhD.

3. Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMUDCOM) 

Available for an unlimited number of SMU MBS students each year who:

3. Meet all general admissions requirements published on the LMU-DCOM’s website at the time of application,
   1. Have a preferred minimum MCAT of 495,
   2. Have a preferred cumulative science GPA of 3.4 or higher,
   3. Complete all required prerequisite courses as published on LMU-DCOM’s website at the time of application.
   4. https://www.lmunet.edu/debusk-college-of-osteopathic-medicine/do/admissions/

4. Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine (MSOM)

To be eligible for the Program, students must, at the time of application:

4. Be currently enrolled at or have graduated within the last two years from SMU’s MBS program,

   1. Present an overall and science GPA of 3.3 or higher,
   2. Achieve a minimum MCAT score of 500 within the last three years,
   3. Submit a strong letter of recommendation from an SMU MBS pre-medical advisor on institution letterhead,
   4. Successfully complete or be on track to complete all MSOM prerequisite coursework as published in the MSOM catalog and website prior to the start of the academic year of application https://msom.org/admissions/admissions-requirements,
   5. Be in good academic, professional, and disciplinary standing at SMU,
   6. Be a US Citizen or permanent resident of the United States,
   7. Meet all standard admissions requirements for MSOM’s DO program, including any technical standards, as outlined in MSOM’s official admissions policies.

   5. Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM)

Available to all full-time graduate students at SMUMBS who meet these eligibility requirements:

5. Complete a minimum of 20 MBS credit hours by the time of application,
   1. Present a science and overall GPA of 3.2 or higher in completed MBS coursework,
   2. Obtain a minimum MCAT score of 495,
   3. Complete at least 40 hours of health care and 40 hours of community volunteer service at the time of application; 80 hours of health care and 80 hours of community volunteer service at the time of matriculation,
   4. Have no significant conduct violations; all criminal charges or arrests must be reported in advance,
   5. Be a US citizen or permanent resident,
   6. Comply with all additional requirements outlined by Noorda-COM.

6. Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM)

Available for up to a total of ten (10) SMU MBS graduate students each academic year who:

6. Meet all general admissions requirements, including minimum MCAT and GPA as published on OCOM’s website at the time of application,
   1. Complete all required prerequisite courses as published on OCOM’s website at the time of application,
   2. https://ocom.org/admissionsrequirements

Physician Assistant Interview Agreement:

Master Physician Assistant Program (MPA) at Samuel Merritt University

1. Interviews are available to an unlimited number of MBS graduates each year who meet all admissions and application requirements for the MPA Program as outlined below.

   1. Available for up to four (4) admissions seats each year; if more than four qualified students, the additional students may be considered for any remaining seats in the cohort. All admissions decisions will be the responsibility of the MPA program.
      1. Submit an application to the MPA Program through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA),
      2. Satisfy all general admission requirements for the MPA Program, as determined by the SMU MPA Program and outlined on the official website https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/college-health-sciences/master-physician-assistant,
      3. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the MBS program, with no grade lower than a B- in any course,
      4. Successfully complete all prerequisite coursework as published on the MPA Program website at the time of application.
   2. A 20% tuition discount may be applied to four students meeting this criterion.
   3. A PA-CAT score is a requirement for entering in 2026 or later. Details of score expectations are not determined at this time.

    

Podiatric Medicine Admission Agreement: 

College of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University

Available for up to four (4) admissions seats each year; if more than four qualified students, the additional students will be guaranteed an interview for consideration of remaining seats in the cohort.

1. MBS students must complete the DPM Program application requirements,
   1. Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all MBS coursework,
   2. Successfully complete all DPM prerequisite coursework (https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/doctor-podiatric-medicine),
   3. At all times, follow the DPM Program Professional Code of Ethics, SMU reserves the right to deny or revoke priority consideration for admissions to students who are found to have violated this Code of Ethics,
   4. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation including one from a podiatric physician you have shadowed,
   5. Satisfactory criminal background check clearance,
   6. Successfully complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of observation with a podiatric physician in a practice setting (e.g., hospital, clinic),
   7. Achieve a minimum score of 490 on the MCAT,
   8. Completion of a successful interview, as determined by the interviewing team.
   9. A 20% tuition discount may be applied to four students meeting this criterion.