Master of Science in Medical Sciences

Research Opportunities

While enrolled at MUSC, students may enroll in the Core Clinical Research Training course at no additional cost. The course provides foundational clinical research training and prepares study team members and research personnel to be effective in their jobs, confident in their understanding of clinical research policies and procedures and grow as research professionals at MUSC.

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites, but we suggest reviewing the coursework appropriate for application to the Doctor of Dental Medicine program in the College of Dental Medicine and Doctor of Medicine program in the College of Medicine at MUSC.

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.

• Submit the MUSC Application.

Application Requirements

1. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit an MUSC application.

• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

• Letters of recommendation: All applicants must provide two references from individuals who know them or their abilities. These can be from employers, health care providers, or professors. Personal references will not be accepted.

• Testing Scores: Optional. Applicants that have taken the DCAT/MCAT may submit their unofficial copies if they desire.

1. Prior Applicants: If you have previously applied to MUSC with an AMCAS or AADSAS application, perform the following steps:

• Fill out the appropriate FERPA consent form for the college you previously applied to (College of Dental Medicine or College of Medicine); and email the completed form or photo of it to the MSMS Program Director, Laura M. Kasman, at kasmanl@musc.edu.
• On the “Additional Information Page” of the MUSC application, answer “Yes” to the question, “For document matching purposes, have you ever applied to MUSC?” and provide the most recent year and the college (College of Dental Medicine or College of Medicine).
• On the “Previous Education” page, enter your high school as you normally would. For the college or university, choose “Foreign College not coded.” You can enter your actual major and degree. For dates, enter the date you started college courses after high school graduation, and for the end date enter the date you earned your degree; or the date the last courses with grades on your AMCAS or AADSAS ended if you are currently enrolled. In other words, enter the approximate date your spring 2025 course ended if the last courses reported on your common app are spring 2025 courses.
• On the “Previous Education” page, if you are still in college or have attended another institution since submitting the AMCAS or AADSAS, enter it separately. An official transcript is required for any additional coursework that is not shown with grades on your AMCAS or AADSAS.
• On the “Recommendations” page, enter the following for the two required recommendations to bypass this page. We will obtain your actual letters from your AMCAS or AADSAS:

• The next page in the application requires you to pay the $95 application fee. Once paid, you will see a page that allows you to upload documents. Please upload any newer test scores here as well as an optional updated personal statement and/or optional updated resume. Please note that volunteerism or community service, clinical shadowing, and research listed on your resume that is not in your AMCAS or AADSAS must include dates and approximate hours or they will not be counted when your application is reviewed.

International Applicants

We regret that current regulations prevent us from offering this program to international applicants without a permanent resident visa due to its online component.

Cost of Attendance

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 MSMS program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced understanding of biomedical and clinical science concepts
• Apply critical reasoning and quantitative analysis to interpret scientific and clinical data
• Communicate effectively across academic, clinical, and professional contexts
• Exhibit professionalism, compassion, and integrity in collaborative learning environments
• Integrate academic, clinical, and ethical principles to advance toward professional health careers

Vision

To advance academic and professional readiness by empowering aspiring health professionals to bridge the gap between undergraduate study and success in medical, dental, and biomedical programs.

Mission

To deliver a rigorous, graduate-level curriculum that strengthens scientific knowledge, fosters professional growth, and cultivates ethical, compassionate leaders prepared to excel in advanced health sciences education.

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.