Master of Science in Medical Sciences

The Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is a postbaccalaureate premedical and predental program designed to help students strengthen their academic foundation and prepare for success in medical or dental school. This graduate program in medical sciences bridges undergraduate studies and professional medical education through advanced coursework, hands-on research, and clinical learning experiences.

Students complete graduate-level courses in biomedical sciences, professional development sessions, clinical research training, and direct clinical exposures that create a robust academic and professional skill set. Each student benefits from individualized advising and mentoring, ensuring personalized support in building a competitive medical or dental school application. Since its launch in 2012, 87% of MSMS graduates who applied to medical or dental programs were accepted within one year, demonstrating the program’s success as a proven pathway to medical school and dental school.

The MS curriculum encourages a balance between academic growth and practical experience. Students can participate in research opportunities throughout the year and may pursue microcredentials in clinical trials management or science communications, both available at no additional cost to those enrolled. These specialized learning opportunities provide relevant skills for the rapid evolving fields of biomedical research, clinical science, and health care innovation.

Graduates of the Master of Science in Medical Sciences program are well prepared to apply to medical and dental schools or to pursue roles in clinical and translational research, biomedical sciences, and related areas within the health sciences and medical industries. This postbacc master’s program serves as a strong and supportive pathway to advanced study and professional success in medicine, dentistry, and research.

Join our next cohort

Our next program starts May 27, 2026, with applications open until April 1.

• 1 year premed postbaccalaureate master's program
• MCAT/DAT scores are optional
• Streamlined application process with an AMCAS or AADSAS. (Instructions for Streamlined Applications)

Application Deadlines

Curriculum

The general plan for the coursework for the program is laid out below. In addition, optional coursework may be made available to students in the program depending on availability and interest. In 2026-27, an MCAT Prep course will be added to the curriculum for credit.

Year 1, Summer A, Header (5/1/25-8/14/25)

Year 1, Fall A (8/18/25-12/19/25)

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

* This is recommended, and a certificate is awarded upon completion. This is not available for academic credit.

(Optional Core Clinical Research Training Digital Badge and/or Science Communication Digital Badge at no additional cost while enrolled at MUSC)

Please note that successful completion of this program is not a guarantee of an interview or acceptance into a professional school at MUSC or any other institution, however to date, 87% of our graduates who applied to professional school were accepted within one year.

Application Requirements

Prerequisites for the program include obtaining at least a baccalaureate degree with coursework appropriate for admission to medical and other professional schools. There are no specific prerequisites, but suggestions for coursework to take to apply to the College of Medicine at MUSC, can be found on the College of Medicine website.

For suggestions for coursework to apply to the College of Dental Medicine at MUSC, please see the College of Dental Medicine website.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Dental Admissions Test (DAT) scores are optional.

Application Process

Applications may be submitted at any time within the dates specified below. Offers are made on a rolling basis. If you have not applied to medical school or dental school in the past year, you need to fill in the application completely and arrange to have two letters of reference requested and submitted through the application portal. All applications to the College of Graduate Studies must be submitted online. Students interested in medical or dental schools are encouraged to apply. Students interested in other professions should inquire before applying.

Previous MUSC College of Medicine or College of Dental Medicine Applicants

If you have previously applied to the medical or dental schools at MUSC within the past year, your previous AMCAS or AADSAS application will be accepted in place of your resume, undergraduate grades, test scores and letters for the MS program application. You will, however, need to submit the electronic application form and send in official transcripts for any coursework completed since submitting the AMCAS or AADSAS. We would also appreciate you providing a short personal statement about why you are applying to this master’s program. You may use the same CollegeNet ID and password to apply for the master’s program as you used previously to apply to an MUSC professional school. Much of your information should pre-populate from your previous application. Make sure to update your contact information if it has been changed since you previously applied. If you have not previously applied to MUSC or it has been longer than one year since you applied, you must fill out all the information as described above in the Application Process section.

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.

Additional Resources

See suggestions for course work to take to apply to the College of Medicine at MUSC.

See suggestions for coursework to take to apply to the College of Dental Medicine at MUSC. (PDF)

More information for students interested in applying to Medical Schools.

Is a Post-Bacc Program Right for me?

Scholarship Eligibility

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.