Master of Science Biomedical Sciences - Medical Masters (MS)

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or Canada prior to matriculating at VHS. Official transcripts from the awarding institution must indicate the date the degree was conferred.
• Successfully completed each of the following medical school prerequisite courses:
  • Two semesters or three quarters of physics with labs
  • Two semesters or three quarters of organic chemistry/biochemistry with labs
  • Two semesters or three quarters of chemistry with labs
  • Two semesters or three quarters of biology with labs

Study abroad coursework is not accepted to fulfill prerequisite requirements.

• A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (B-) or better.
• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for students pursuing medical school 
  • One-year program: MCAT with a minimum score of 503.
  • Two-year program: MCAT with a recommended score of 496 or higher to be competitive.

We do not accept GRE scores in place of MCAT scores.

• Clinical experiences with patient contact (including scribing, shadowing, hospice, EMT)
  • At least 100 hours
• Volunteerism (clinical or not)
  • At least 100 hours

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.

Applicants from rural or other underserved regions and those who have been disadvantaged or underrepresented for economic, racial or social reasons, and who possess the motivation and aptitude required for the study of medicine, are strongly encouraged to apply.

All courses to fulfill the degree requirements for the Biomedical Sciences - Medical Program must be taken at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. No credit will be given for courses taken at another institution.

Since we have a rolling admissions process, applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit all of their application materials as they become available, even when planning to take the MCAT at a later date.

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Technical Standards

The abilities and skills candidates and students must possess in order to complete the education and training of the Biomedical Sciences Medical Master’s Program are referred to as “Technical Standards.” These abilities and skills are essential for entry into most professional practice settings associated with this degree program.

1.0 Observation Skills Technical Standard

1.01 Demonstrate sufficient attention and accuracy in observation skills (visual, auditory, and tactile) in the lecture hall, laboratory and/or online settings.

1.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, this example:

a. Accurate visualization and discrimination of text, numbers, patterns, graphic illustrations, and other imaging texts.

2.0 Communication Skills Technical Standard

2.01 Demonstrate effective communication skills with healthcare professionals, and with people of varying cultures, ethnicities and personalities.

2.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

a. Clear, efficient and intelligible articulation of spoken English language.

b. Legible, efficient and intelligible written English language.

c. Accurate and efficient English language reading skills.

d. Accurate and efficient expressive and receptive communication skills.

e. Ability to accurately follow oral and written directions.

3.0 Critical Reasoning Skills Technical Standard

3.01 Demonstrate critical reasoning skills, including, but not limited to, intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities.

3.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

a. Demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information.

b. Demonstrate ability to acquire, retain and apply new and learned information.

4.0 Motor and Sensory Function Technical Standard

4.01 Perform demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences.

4.02 Observe a patient accurately, both at a distance and close at hand; this ability requires the functional use of vision and somatic sensation.

4.03 Speak, hear, and observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and perceive nonverbal communications.

4.04 Communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form.

4.05 Execute movements reasonably required to provide patients with general care and emergency treatment.

4.06 Students should also have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic techniques.

4.07 The ability to solve problems, a skill which is critical to the practice of medicine, requires the intellectual abilities of measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis. In addition, a student must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities required for the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients.

4.08 All students of medicine must possess the intellectual, ethical, physical, and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty.

5.0 Behavioral and Social Attributes Technical Standard

5.01 Demonstrate the behavioral and social attributes vital to participation in a professional program and service as a practicing laboratory professional.

5.02 Indicators include, but are not limited to, these examples:

a. Possess the emotional health required for full utilization of mental faculties (judgment, orientation, affect, and cognition).

b. Ability to develop mature and effective professional relationships with faculty, patients, the public, and other members of the healthcare team.

c. Possess personal qualities that facilitate effective therapeutic interactions (compassion, empathy, integrity, honesty, benevolence, confidentiality).

d. Demonstrate impartial motives, attitudes, and values in roles, functions, and relationships.

e. Ability to monitor and react appropriately to one’s own emotional needs and responses.

f. Display appropriate flexibility and adaptability in the face of stress or uncertainty associated with laboratory experiments.

g. Compliance with standards, policies, and practices set forth in the institutional student handbook and the program handbook.