Admissions
Statement of Non-Discrimination
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
Programs of Study in the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
PhD Pathways
to topPhD in Biomedical Sciences
to topPhD Pathways
Basic Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Programs
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)
to topPostbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
to topOutreach Programs
to topApplications and Admissions
The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers multiple programs of study, detailed below.
Information for Fall 2025 PhD Applicants
PhD Basic Biomedical Sciences Programs
to topThe 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
- Systems, Computational, and Quantitative Biology
- Translational Science
Please review admissions requirements
PhD Biophysical, Chemical, and Computational Biology
to topA 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
to topThe PhD is a transdisciplinary program with a focus on epidemiology, biostatistics and health services research.
Please review admissions requirements
MD/PhD
to topThe 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
to topUMass 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
to topUMass 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)
to topThe 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
to topPlease visit the registration webpage to find the most current course catalog and instructions for non-degree student registration.
Transfer of Credits
The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UMass Chan does not allow for transfer of credits.
Transfer from another School
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.
Criminal Background Checks
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.”
Technical Standards for Admission & Graduation
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:
- Observation
- Intellectual/Conceptual Abilities
- Motor Skills
- Communication
- Behavioral and Social Attributes
More detailed descriptions of these standards are available in the Student Handbook.
Accommodations and use of an intermediary
to topWhile 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.