MSMS FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the MSMS, answered

Earning your Master’s of Science in Medical Sciences is a big step. We want you to have all the answers before and during your application process.

Below are a few of the common questions we hear from MSMS applicants. Don’t see your question answered? Contact us and we’d be more than happy to help!

MSMS Program Overview

PROGRAM LENGTH:

On Campus: 10 months (2 semesters)
Online: 20 months
Remote: 12 months (2 semesters, summer break)

CREDITS:

42 hours

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

On Campus:
June 30, 2024 (Fall 2024 Start)

Online:
May 2, 2024 (Summer 2024 Start)

Remote:
December 15, 2024 (Spring 2025 Start)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The MSMS is an integrated, interdisciplinary program in the basic medical sciences, designed to train students in a broad-based, one-year curriculum to help gain admission to a professional health program or start their career in healthcare.

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Pre-Application Questions

Who should take the MSMS?

The MSMS was created to help more pre-med students who have completed their bachelor’s degree — especially students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in the medical field — become highly-qualified candidates for medical school and other professional health programs. The curriculum mirrors the first year of medical school so students are educated in the important health sciences with culturally-competent training so they’re more than prepared to take the next step toward their ideal career.

Ultimately, most students take the MSMS to get a leg up in the application process after graduating and understand which professional pathway best fits them in the medical field with our student analytics.

How do I submit my application?

Click the link at the top of our website at any time to be taken to our application page. You can visit the MSMS application directly here. Currently, this application is for both the in-person and online MSMS programs.

Is an MCAT score required to apply? Is a GRE score required to apply?

No MCAT, GRE, or other entrance exam is required to apply to the MSMS.

Is there an application fee?

Students are required to submit a $90 application fee for the MSMS program. Waivers may be available from time to time by contacting our admissions department.

What materials are required to apply?

Students should have their official transcript from all previously attended institutions mailed to the PHSU St. Louis admissions office. Students will be required to fill out their personal information and details, previous educational experience, language proficiency, and any criminal details. You can see the MSMS application here.

When are applications due?

On Campus: June 30, 2024 (Fall 2024 Start)
Online: May 2, 2024 (Summer 2024 Start)
Remote: December 15, 2024 (Spring 2025 Start)

Can I apply if I don’t have all the prerequisite courses completed?

No, incoming students must have completed all prerequisite courses for admission to the MSMS program.

There is only one exception to this rule. If an applicant is currently enrolled in one or more of the prerequisite courses at an accredited university, PHSU St. Louis will require a transcript including the completed courses after finishing their bachelor’s degree. After these courses are completed, students must maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA and science GPA in undergraduate to be admitted.

Can I transfer credits from other schools to count toward MSMS courses?

Because each course in the MSMS is crucial to our predictive student analytics and predicting USMLE Board scores, students will not be able to transfer credits from other universities to count toward the MSMS.

How much does the MSMS cost?

For 2020-2021, the tuition for the MSMS at PHSU St. Louis is $34,840 for the entire year. Students pay $1,185 per credit for individual courses that are part of the program, with a limit of two classes per student.

About the MSMS Program

How long does the MSMS take to complete?

The MSMS traditional at the PHSU St. Louis campus is broken into two semesters — fall and spring. Students will earn 42 health science credits and become master’s in medical science graduates in about 10 months.
The MSMS remote is also broken into two semesters, but because it starts in the spring, a short summer break is taken in June and July. Students will earn 42 health science credits and become master’s in medical science graduates in 12 months.

The online MSMS program is also 42 credits with the same curriculum. However, the online curriculum is broken into five 15-week semesters to benefit part-time, non-traditional students.

Is there an online option for the MSMS?

PHSU St. Louis offers a completely online option for the Master of Science in Medical Sciences. It’s a five-semester program designed for part-time students to learn at their own pace.

We also offer MSMS Remote where students attend class virtually via live feed. Remote students are expected to participate in remote class Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. central time

Who teaches courses in the MSMS?

The MSMS is taught by nationally-renowned health professionals with decades of experience in the field, research, and classroom experience. To learn more about our MSMS faculty, visit the faculty page.

Are MSMS classes delivered in-person?

For MSMS Traditional, all classes meet in person alongside PHSU St. Louis year 1 Medical Students.
MSMS Remote students attend virtual interactive class sessions delivered online by faculty via live video feed Monday- Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST.
For MSMS Online, classes are completely online and taken at your own pace.

All classes utilize the dynamic classroom model. This means lectures are delivered online to be consumed before class meets. In-person class time is used for group discussions, quizzes, and focusing on specific topics where students need more time. This valuable class time that is open for discussion allows us to improve student comprehension.

Can the MSMS get me into medical school? What about other professional health schools?

Although 65 percent of MSMS graduates have advanced to medical school and over 80 percent advance to a professional health program, earning your master’s does not guarantee a spot in medical school. However, PHSU St. Louis has several linkage opportunities in place with medical schools and professional health schools to help students take that next step.

Additionally, monthly analytics reports from PHSU St. Louis help students see how they’re on track to perform on USMLE Step 1 exams, including individual USMLE Systems and Disciplines. Students have the option to share these detailed student analytics with medical schools across the country and potentially be recruited and land interviews with these schools.

What are MSMS graduates doing now?

The majority of graduates from the MSMS program at PHSU campuses — 68 percent — advance to medical school immediately after graduating, according to a survey sent to past graduates. Some of the medical schools where students have gone include: Creighton, Mayo Clinic, St. George University, Medical University of the Americas, and the Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine.

About 20 percent of graduates are admitted to other professional health programs after graduation, including podiatry, pharmacy, public health, optometry, biomedical sciences, and many others. Others start their careers or move up in their careers immediately after graduating. Some of these positions include teaching, working with the Department of Defense, physician’s assistant, and research positions in healthcare, among other careers.

Visit our pathways page to learn all about the career pathways of our MSMS graduates.

General Questions

Can I tour the PHSU St. Louis campus?

Yes! We’d be happy to schedule a tour for you. Our campus is located in the Globe Building in St. Louis, Missouri, at 2351 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63103. Tours are regularly scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

We may be able to schedule outside of these times, but you will have to contact our admissions office. You can call 314-499-6540 or email stl-admissions@psm.edu to set up your campus visit.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Visit our financial aid page for all the information about financial aid at PHSU St. Louis. In short, you should complete the FAFSA and complete the PHSU Application Request for Aids and Loans, then read and sign the PHSU Student Authorization.

Does PHSU St. Louis have linkages to medical schools for MSMS students?

Yes, we have several linkage opportunities in place to help students advance their careers after graduating. This includes an agreement with Ponce Health Sciences University’s School of Medicine in Ponce, Puerto Rico, for the top 20% of MSMS graduates to receive an interview at the school.

PHSU St. Louis has announced our School of Medicine. With this new school, soon MSMS graduates will have an opportunity to pursue their MD right here in St. Louis.

Your Dream Career in Health Sciences Starts Here.

Contact us to learn more about PHSU St. Louis or to schedule a tour.

You can also reach us at (314) 499-6540 with any questions. We’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

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