Doctor of Philosophy

Curriculum

Students in MUSC's Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences degree program enroll in approximately 15 credit hours per semester (3 semesters per year), which includes a combination of didactic course credits and research project credits. The total credit hours taken per year are typically 45. Because time to complete the degree is significantly affected by progress in one's research project(s), the range of credits students acquire by graduation varies. 

The degree can be earned in four to seven years. Degree completion in fewer than 4 or more than 7 years requires prior approval by the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The number of credit hours associated with these timeframes is as follows: 

• 4 years (12 semesters)=180 credit hours
• 5 years (15 semesters)=225 credit hours
• 6 years (18 semesters)=270 credit hours
• 7 years (21 semesters)=315 credit hours

Students typically graduate with 225-270 credit hours (5-6 years)

Year 1 Curriculum

Year 2 Curriculum

Year 3–5 Curriculum

Year 5–7 Curriculum

Year 7 Curriculum

Student Benefits

Ph.D. Student Benefits 

Students in the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences program at MUSC receive a $38,000 annual stipend. The program also covers tuition, fees, and health insurance for these students.

Prerequisites

While there are no prerequisites, applicants should provide evidence of research experience. 

Frequently Approved Prerequisites

Before applying, it's essential to ensure that any prior coursework meets the admissions requirements. MUSC provides a helpful reference list of frequently approved prerequisite courses to guide you in understanding which classes may satisfy your program's requirements. To explore the list, visit our Frequently Approved Prerequisites page.

Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed. 

1. Complete the MUSC Application. The online application fee is automatically waived for domestic applicants applying to all College of Graduate Studies Ph.D. programs.
2. Complete the supplemental materials which will be sent through email once an application is submitted.
3. Once the application and all supplemental materials have been received, the Graduate Admissions Committee will review the application. 
4. Selected applicants will be invited to visit the campus, and the cost of the visit is partially defrayed by the college. This visit is composed of interviews with members of the Graduate Admissions Committee, a campus tour, introduction to the graduate training program, and discussions with faculty. Interview weekends take place in January, February, and March. 
5. After the on-site visit, the Graduate Admissions Committee will convene to discuss the qualifications of all applicants. Applicants will be notified within a week or two of the interview with the committee’s decision. 

No single metric is used to assess applicants, but rather a broader picture of the candidate’s equalities is considered by our admissions committee. As a guideline, candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater are more likely to be considered favorably. 

Note

• The admissions process is rolling, and applicants are encouraged to submit all application materials by Dec 1 for best consideration. 
• If an applicant is unable to apply online, they must petition the Office of the Dean for special accommodation explaining why they are unable to apply online. 

Application Requirements

1. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit an MUSC application.
2. Official transcripts: Supplemental Materials: Applicants will need to submit the following supplemental materials.
   • Official transcripts from all institutions attended: Applicants are required to submit unofficial or official transcripts for each and every post-secondary institution attended even if listed as transfer credit on another transcript. In cases where we accept unofficial documents, the unofficial document must be a copy of the original. If submitting an unofficial transcript, all courses, grades, degrees awarded (if applicable), and the name of the institution must be clearly visible on the document. Some academic advising reports and degree audits do not contain all the necessary information so the document should be reviewed before submission. If offered a position, the applicant will be asked to request an official transcript from each institution listed in the Education section of their application, regardless of the number of credit hours earned. MUSC reserves the right to rescind any offer of admission if any discrepancies are found between the unofficial and official transcripts. 
   • Letters of recommendation: All applicants must provide three letters of recommendation which address the applicant’s aptitude for research when possible. These are requested and submitted electronically through the application.

International Applicants

Academic records from foreign institutions must be provided in English, certified, and validated as authentic by a university or government official. The College of Graduate Studies requires that transcripts be evaluated by professional agencies and are submitted to MUSC electronically or in unopened envelopes showing the equivalency of work completed outside the U.S. The following websites are preferred agencies and are members of the National Association for Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Their costs vary across agencies, and we encourage you to compare prices and select the best choice for you. NACES International Education Research Foundation – Credential Evaluation & Translation Services – Chartered NACES Member World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation for U.S. (wes.org) If your education was completed in the U.S., you do not need to complete a transcript credit evaluation. 

If offered a position, and the applicant has only submitted an unofficial transcript evaluation, the candidate will be required to provide an official transcript and evaluation before any further consideration of that applicant will be given. 

A language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. Scores must not be more than two years old. Exceptions can be made if a student has attended a United States institution for an extended period. An exception might also be made for students in a foreign institution that uses English as the primary language for instruction, however, these are made on a case-by-case basis. 

Final consideration cannot be granted to an international student’s application for admission until these official scores are received by the Office of Enrollment Management. Accepted tests are IELTS and TOEFL. Minimal requirements are: TOEFL: 100 IELTS: 7 

MUSC welcomes international applicants and offers tailored guidance to support you throughout the admission process. View details at International Applicants. 

Cost of Attendance

Disclaimer: The Estimated Total listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

Scholarships

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

Click here to visit our scholarship application system to view a complete listing of MUSC scholarships.

Competencies

Upon completion of the Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences program, graduates will be able to: 

• Formulate and execute independent research studies that generate new insights into biological mechanisms of health and disease
• Apply advanced experimental, computational, and analytical methods to interpret complex biomedical data
• Critically evaluate scientific literature to identify research gaps and propose innovative directions for future study
• Communicate original research findings effectively to scientific, clinical, and public audiences
• Demonstrate scholarly independence and leadership in advancing biomedical knowledge and inquiry

Vision

To deepen the global understanding of human health and disease through groundbreaking biomedical research that drives discovery and transforms scientific knowledge.

Mission

To cultivate independent scholars who advance biomedical science through original research, critical inquiry, and innovation that shape the future of medicine and science.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

• Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy and dignity.
• Collaboration: We achieve common goals through teamwork and partnerships.
• Innovation: We drive transformation by embracing new ideas, discoveries and practices.
• Integrity: We do the right thing and commit to accountability in words, actions and use of resources.
• Respect: We value everyone and their many perspectives to build trust and a sense of belonging.