Admissions

UMass Chan Medical School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, national origin, covered veteran status, disability, ancestry or any other characteristic protected by law in employment, admissions, participation in its programs, services and activities, and selection of vendors who provide services or products to UMass Chan Medical School. Further, UMass Chan Medical School is firmly committed to ensuring that all who work, study, visit or seek treatment here may do so in an environment free of harassment and/or discrimination. 

Further information is available on the Diversity and Inclusion website. 

Questions concerning this notice can be directed to the Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion. Questions concerning Title IX may be directed to the designated campus Title IX Officer. Either can be reached at: 

UMass Chan Medical School 
55 Lake Avenue North (S1-710)   
Worcester, MA 01655 
Phone: 508 856-2179 
Fax: 508 856-1810 

The programs and pathways within the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences train students in their selected specialty area and emphasize a broad background in the basic medical sciences, in preparation for research with direct relevance to human disease. We welcome you to explore our many offerings below.

PhD in Biomedical Sciences

PhD Pathways

Basic Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Programs

• • Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology and Microbiology
  • Interdisciplinary
  • Neuroscience
  • RNA Therapeutics and Biology
  • Systems, Computational, and Quantitative Biology
  • Translational Science

Biophysical, Chemical, and Computational Biology

MD/PhD

Millennium PhD (UMass Chan Affiliates Only)

Population Health Sciences

Master's in Clinical Investigation (UMass Chan Affiliates Only)

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

Outreach Programs

Outreach programs include:

• Summer Undergraduate Research Program 
• High School Health Careers Program
• Summer Enrichment Program
• Worcester Pipeline Collaborative

The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers multiple programs of study, detailed below.

Contact Admissions

PhD Basic Biomedical Sciences Programs

The PhD is an umbrella program in the basic biomedical sciences. Students benefit from the opportunity to rotate in three research groups in their first year, prior to joining a specific group and program of study.

Programs within the PhD include:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
• Cancer Biology
• Immunology and Microbiology
  
• Interdisciplinary
• Neuroscience
• RNA Therapeutics and Biology
• Systems, Computational, and Quantitative Biology
• Translational Science

Please review admissions requirements

PhD Biophysical, Chemical, and Computational Biology

A dedicated pathway for students with quantitative backgrounds, with no expectation of experience in biological sciences. Apply your quantitative skills at the interface of physical and biological sciences to solve pressing problems in biomedical sciences that require new and innovative approaches.
Please review admissions requirements

PhD Population Health Sciences

The PhD is a transdisciplinary program with a focus on epidemiology, biostatistics and health services research.
Please review admissions requirements

MD/PhD

The dual degree trains physician scientists who may choose either the basic and biomedical sciences or clinical and population health PhD track.
Please review admissions requirements

Millennium PhD

UMass Chan affiliated physicians who are interested in pursuing a PhD are welcome to explore this program option.
Please review admissions requirements

Master's in Clinical Investigation

UMass Chan affiliated clinicians can pursue a master's concentrating in population based clinical or bench-to-bedside translational research.
Please review admissions requirements

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)

The NIH funded PREP prepares students for PhDs and MD/PhDs in biomedical science. Students may choose either the basic and biomedical sciences or clinical and population health track. 
Please review admissions requirements

Register for courses as a non-degree student

Please visit the registration webpage to find the most current course catalog and instructions for non-degree student registration.

 Apply Now

The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMass Chan does not allow for transfer of credits.

The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School does not accept transfer students. Students wishing to become matriculated at UMass Chan must apply for admission, and must receive favorable review from the Admissions Committee. This process could be expedited if needed, such that review, admission and matriculation could occur off-cycle. Students admitted to the program would have to meet all requirements, though some flexibility can be granted on a case-by-case basis regarding waivers for specific course work or for laboratory rotations. Transfer credits will not be given. Matriculated students must pass the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences qualifying exam; this is not negotiable.

Applicants to the Clinical and Population Health Research Program (CPHR) and the CPHR track of the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) are conditionally accepted, in part, pending a satisfactory background check.  If the school receives a positive response, the matter will be referred to the Committee to Review Criminal Background Checks according to the school’s “Procedure for Reviewing and Acting Upon Criminal Background Checks.”

The following technical standards specify those attributes the faculty considers necessary for pre-doctoral or doctoral study at Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and therefore, are pre-requisites for admission, progression and completion.

A student must possess aptitude, abilities, and skills in five areas:

1. Observation
2. Intellectual/Conceptual Abilities
3. Motor Skills
4. Communication
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes

More detailed descriptions of these standards are available in the Student Handbook.

Accommodations and use of an intermediary

While accommodations can be made for some disabilities, applicants and students must be able to perform the duties of a student and researcher in an independent manner.

For more information see UMass Chan policies on Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act.

The use of an intermediary would result in the mediation of a student's judgment by another person's powers of selection and observation. Therefore, the use of an intermediary to assist the student in meeting the technical standards for admission, continuation or completion would mean that a student’s judgment is mediated by another individual and thus is not permitted.