DO/MS in Biomedical Sciences
The Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/M.S. in Biomedical Sciences program is offered to medical students interested in medical research and/or academic medicine. This degree is ideal for the future physician who wishes to maintain an interest in research while also treating patients in a clinical setting.
Students in the dual degree D.O./M.S. program, upon successful completion of required coursework, are guaranteed acceptance into the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in the following year. The student must complete one full year of M.S. requirements and maintain good academic standing with the graduate program in order to receive deferred admission.
Successful completion of the D.O./M.S. program requires fulfillment of the requirements for the D.O. medical degree and a minimum of 32 semester hours of graduate credit.
The M.S. portion of the D.O./M.S. program is designed to be accomplished in approximately two years; however, all degree requirements must be completed within seven years of entering the D.O./M.S. program. The dual degree student will receive nine hours of transfer credit from the osteopathic medical program. The M.S. degree will be awarded whenever the graduate degree requirements have been accomplished, which is usually during the D.O. portion of the program.
Credit hours and required courses for the D.O./M.S. program are the same for the regular master's degree. Dual degree students are encouraged to consider the non-thesis master's degree.
Application Process
Students wishing to receive deferred admission to the medical school and complete their M.S. coursework prior to the first year of medical school should indicate their interest in the D.O./M.S. degree on the OSU supplemental application for medical school. Only students who successfully complete an on-campus interview for the D.O. program will be considered for this track.
How to Apply
Applicants submit their application online through the OSU Graduate College
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the educational background of the applicant. At least one letter should contain comments regarding the applicant’s research experience and expected motivation and productivity in research. Letters of recommendation submitted to the D.O. program can be forwarded to the School of Biomedical Sciences, if requested.
Submit a personal statement that addresses: the applicant's research interests, why the applicant desires to pursue a dual degree and Account of applicant's research experience, including topics, techniques, presentations and publications, if any. Identifying graduate faculty as potential advisor is encouraged.
In addition to submitting the graduate application materials listed above, dual degree students must apply separately to the D.O. program.
Consult the D.O. admissions page for a complete list of application materials and procedures. Dual degree students may substitute the MCAT for the GRE exam.
Application review process
The application review process described below is used to evaluate all applications to the graduate program. For applicants to the D.O./M.S. and D.O./Ph.D. program, the D.O. portion of the application is evaluated by the Student Selection Committee of OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, which has an application review process as well.
The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Committee will formally review the application in a regular or special meeting and vote to accept or reject the application for admission into the biomedical sciences graduate program. The director will inform the associate dean for graduate studies of the status of applications to the biomedical sciences graduate program.