What is a master’s in biomedical sciences?
A master’s in biomedical sciences, usually awarded as a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MBS), is a one- or two-year graduate degree in the science behind human health and disease, with coursework in subjects such as physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, and pharmacology. Some MBS programs are built around a research thesis, while others are designed for applicants heading to medical, dental, or physician assistant (PA) school.
Many programs in that second group are special master’s programs (SMPs). A special master’s program is a graduate degree that borrows courses from a medical school’s first-year curriculum, so admissions committees can see how you handle that level of work; at Old Dominion University’s medical master’s in biomedical sciences, you learn side by side with medical students in the classroom and the lab.
What can you do with a master’s in biomedical sciences?
A master’s in biomedical sciences most often leads to medical, dental, or PA school, but it also opens doors to doctoral programs and research jobs. Each path uses the degree differently, and each still asks for something the degree alone can’t supply.
| Path | How an MBS helps | What you'll still need |
|---|---|---|
| Medical school | Strong grades in medical-level courses show you can handle the first year of medical school, and some programs offer a guaranteed interview at an affiliated medical school | A competitive Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, clinical experience, and a clear reason for choosing medicine |
| Dental school | The same physiology, biochemistry, and anatomy coursework dental schools expect, and some programs, including Tufts, run a dedicated dental track | A competitive Dental Admission Test (DAT) score and time spent shadowing dentists |
| Physician assistant (PA) programs | Advanced science coursework that strengthens a science GPA and prepares you for a fast-paced PA curriculum | Substantial direct patient care hours, which PA programs weigh heavily |
| PhD programs | A thesis-track MBS adds lab experience, a faculty research mentor, and sometimes a publication or conference presentation | A defined research interest and strong letters from research mentors |
| Biotech, pharmaceutical, and clinical research jobs | Graduate-level training in human biology plus lab or research skills employers can see on a resume | Hands-on lab or clinical research experience, often gained through the program itself |
How Prepory supports master’s in biomedical sciences applicants
Work one-on-one with a Prepory graduate admissions coach who builds your plan around why you want a master's in biomedical sciences, whether that's a stronger medical school application, a dental or PA track, or a first step toward a research career.
Your coach reads your transcript the way an admissions committee will, separating your biology, chemistry, physics, and math (BCPM) GPA from the rest and looking at trends, gaps, and your clinical and research hours. That review tells you whether an MBS is the right next step or whether another move would do more for you.
MBS programs differ more than their names suggest. Some follow a medical school's first-year curriculum as special master's programs, some offer a guaranteed interview at an affiliated medical school, and some center on a research thesis. Your coach helps you build a list that fits your goals, budget, and timeline.
Test rules vary from program to program. Tufts strongly prefers the MCAT for its medical track and requires the DAT for its dental track, while others also accept the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Your coach helps you decide which exam to take, when to sit for it, and how to prepare.
Send as many drafts of your personal statement and supplemental essays as you need to Prepory's Writing Specialists, who give you objective feedback until your reasons for pursuing a master's in biomedical sciences read clearly.
Shape your resume around what MBS admissions committees weigh most: science coursework, clinical exposure, research, and service, with each entry showing what you did and what changed because of it.
Practice with mock interviews built on the questions MBS programs ask, from why you want this degree now to how you plan to handle a full load of graduate-level science courses.
Choose recommenders who can speak to your scientific ability, ideally science faculty or research mentors, and give them the context they need to write a specific letter instead of a general one.
Compare your offers side by side, weighing tuition, linkage terms, thesis options, and how each program's graduates have fared, so you pick the program that best fits the next step you have in mind.
Can a master’s in biomedical sciences
help you get into medical school?
Can a master’s in biomedical sciences help you get into medical school?
A master’s in biomedical sciences can help you get into medical school because it gives admissions committees recent, graduate-level proof that you can handle medical school science. A lot of students choose an MBS program to strengthen their grades, especially career changers and applicants who have been out of school for a few years and need newer coursework on their record.
For reapplicants, the degree is a way to show real growth after a tough cycle. If you want research experience, a thesis track can help, and most Tufts MBS students, for example, spend their second year on research. Some students simply want a year of graduate-level classes under their belt before they start. Prepory’s medical school admissions consulting can help you plan each step, from your MBS coursework to your AMCAS submission.
Graduate admissions testimonials
Thousands of applicants
trust Prepory
Thousands of applicants trust Prepory
"I just wanted to inform you how amazing working with Chris was. Not only did I get into all the programs I applied to due to his strategy and essay expertise, but he was also a joy to work with. Obviously the masters application process can be grueling and tedious, but I genuinely enjoyed all the sessions I had working with Chris and I could feel a genuine passion for writing and helping students like myself, something I had not felt from previous college counseling companies I had worked with. In addition, the essay work we did together was very helpful and I saw huge improvements in my essays from when we first started to where we ended, which definitely played massive roles in my acceptances and scholarships earned. I can not thank/recommend Chris enough!"
OUR APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO TOP SCHOOLS
OUR APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO TOP SCHOOLS
FAQs for biomedical sciences
master’s applicants
A master's in biomedical sciences is worth it when you have a clear next step in mind, such as medical school, dental school, physician assistant school, or a PhD in biology, and the degree adds something your application is missing, like recent science grades or research experience. If your application mainly needs clinical hours or a stronger test score, focus there first.
A master's in biomedical sciences is the better choice if you've finished your prerequisites and want to prove you can handle graduate-level science, while a post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) program fits better if you still need undergraduate courses. The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) counts post-bacc grades in your undergraduate GPA but reports MBS grades as a separate graduate GPA.
Many master's in biomedical sciences programs require a test score and prefer the medical schoolMCAT, but the rules vary, so check each program before you register. Liberty University accepts the MCAT, GRE, or DAT, while Old Dominion University's one-year medical track requires an MCAT of at least 503.
There's no single GPA cutoff for a master's in biomedical sciences, though several programs, including Old Dominion University and Liberty University, list a 2.75 minimum. Competitive programs look beyond that floor at your science GPA and whether your recent grades show an upward trend.
Apply to a master's in biomedical sciences program in the fall or early winter before you plan to enroll, since many programs open in early fall and review applications on a rolling basis. Tufts, for example, opens its MBS application on October 1 and sets its first priority deadline for November 16.
Start your biomedical sciences master’s application with confidence
To learn more about Prepory and how we can support your master’s in biomedical sciences application, contact us to schedule your free initial consultation.
Our graduate admissions coaches will help you decide whether an MBS is the right next step, build a program list that fits your goals, and put together an application that shows what you can do now.
