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3 Terms | 11 Months Full-Time Blended or Online
5 Terms | 20 Months Part-Time Online
Fall: August 22nd (full-time) & September 5th (part-time), 2022
Spring: January 9th, 2023
Summer: May 30th, 2023
SCU’s post-baccalaureate Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) degree is designed to assist students who would like to enhance their academic credentials for entry into medical, dental, physician assistant, veterinarian, or other professional healthcare programs. In as little as one year, you can strengthen your academic skills, improve your Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, and gain a competitive advantage for applying or re-applying to medical school, dental school, physician assistant programs, or other competitive health professional schools. The MSMS is designed to improve students’ academic portfolios with a wealth of health sciences knowledge and identify pathways to their dream healthcare careers.
Students may opt for one of three program schedule and delivery method combinations, each of which offers the same courses and degree. Full-time blended on-campus, full-time 100% online, or part-time 100% online.
A flipped classroom design includes a learning process based on watching lectures online and completing assigned reading before class, preparing students for interactive cases and collaborative group work, in the classroom.
Pre-recorded lectures given by MSMS Faculty on concepts and learning material critical for in-class sessions and examinations.
The purpose of the virtual interactive classes is to test student comprehension of concepts presented in videos and supplemental materials and to discuss real clinical scenarios. This applies to full-time study only.
The MSMS program includes an MCAT prep course that consists of eight, three-hour live virtual sessions over eight weeks designed to improve your performance.
SCU is committed to the success of our students and future healthcare professionals. Students are paired with a faculty advisor to help them achieve academic goals, tailor their training, make timely progress toward degree completion, and prepare students for success as healthcare professionals. Advisors will work with students to develop personalized support if students experience challenges.
Spend time working through real clinical scenarios, allowing you and your classmates to experience firsthand how your education can be applied to actual healthcare delivery.
Every answer to every question from every student is tracked through iClicker. The data collected daily from you and your classmates through testing, combined with the data from MSMS students at our partner institutions, is used to measure student comprehension, identify subjects where students need help, and highlight areas where students excel. This tool will allow you to identify trouble areas and will provide real-time reporting on whether you have mastered each topic and learning outcome. This applies to full-time study only. Learn more about SCU Tools for MSMS students.
Ponce Health Sciences University
SCU guarantees that the top 20% of the graduating class is offered an interview at Ponce Health Sciences University, an M.D. program with locations in St. Louis and in Ponce, Puerto Rico, a U.S. regionally accredited institution (admitted students are required to demonstrate competency in speaking Spanish for the Puerto Rico campus).
Ross University School of Medicine & American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Students graduating with an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher and completing the MSMS program will be guaranteed interviews at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Ross University School of Medicine. Eligible individuals accepted into either university will also qualify for the SCU Partner Scholarship of either $10,000 or $7,500 dependent upon the student’s undergraduate GPA. Click here for more details.
SCU utilizes USMLE-styled (United States Medical Licensing Examination®) questions to build upon current educational models for effective learning. This prepares you for the type of questions you’ll be asked to answer on future admissions, board, and licensure exams.
Although most students enter our master’s program with the goal of gaining admission to medical school, some graduates find other healthcare career paths more suitable. If that happens after your first year of medical school, it will be a costly experience. If that happens after completing a Master of Science in Medical Science degree, you will have a marketable master’s degree with opportunities in viable healthcare fields such as:
The classes in the MSMS program mirror the curriculum of the first year of LCME-accredited medical school, so students can prepare for what’s next after graduation. This first year of learning is an excellent foundation for all students. Both full-time and part-time students follow the same curriculum, the only difference is the number of credits taken each term. Students receive frequent one-on-one faculty advising throughout the program, regardless of the model chosen.
Students will take a comprehensive exam at the end of select terms to help assess progress. After completion of the program, students are additionally provided the NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessments (CBSSA). This exam gives our students an advantage by providing them with an evaluation of their readiness for the USMLE®.
11-month Blended: Students in the 11-month Blended program are expected to enroll for three consecutive terms including summer. Courses are offered Monday through Friday, generally in 5- to 6-hour blocks, through virtual interactive sessions delivered on-campus by faculty via live video feed. Students physically attend all courses on SCU’s campus.
11-month Online: Students in the 11-month Online program are expected to enroll for 3 consecutive terms, including summer. Courses are offered Monday through Friday, generally in 5- to 6-hour blocks, through virtual interactive sessions delivered online by faculty via live video feed.
20-month Online: Students enrolled in the 20-month Online program are expected to enroll for 5 consecutive terms, including summer. Courses are offered online Monday through Friday. Recorded lectures are consumed outside of class flexibly and on-demand, while the weekly synchronous class time is focused on student comprehension. One to two hours of scheduled class time are required per week with two date/time options to choose from.
At SCU, we want students to understand when they start the program what they will know, be able to do, or value as a result of taking a course or completing the program. Our full course curriculum includes detailed learning outcomes to help you dive into what your courses will be teaching you during your time with SCU.
Welcome to the Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) program at Southern California University of Health Sciences. The first question I ask a student is what drives you? Given the field of study you have chosen, I already have a good idea of what you are passionate about, most likely helping others, finding the answers to difficult questions, learning new things, and always pushing to go further. The MSMS program we have developed in conjunction with Tiber Health will satisfy all your passions on your journey to become a healthcare provider. Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the knowledge and understanding to secure a position in the healthcare science programs including medical school, nursing, physician assistant, pharmaceutical sciences, chiropractic, and many more. The MSMS program is designed to be an accelerated academic program to quickly move you forward in your career.
I hope that, in addition to developing into a well-rounded student, you become the future healthcare leaders that give back to the community and make tomorrow better and brighter than today. I invite you to explore our site and learn more about the program.
What drives you? I look forward to discussing with you and my door is always open if you have any questions.
Program Director, Master of Science In Medical Science
Southern California University of Health Sciences
SCU faculty are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Accreditation confirms that SCU programs, faculty, resources and partnerships are meeting or exceeding national standards for education. Southern California University of Health Sciences is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501. Phone: (510) 748-9001.
The most memorable moment from this program is the connections I made and the relationships created with the faculty and students. The professors I meet with during office hours and get to know their experience in their healthcare, get help on the material, and advice for the path I want to take to become a PA. I also enjoyed getting to know the people that I studied with. My cohort was small, so we got to know each other personally through zoom meetings and study groups. We conquered the rigorous material together. It was nice to have people support you through this program, which is something that I cherish.
The reason why I chose the MSMS program is because I am an inspiring physician and this program focuses on the rigor of what it would be like for the first year of medical school. And, as a student that is first generation, I wanted to be more competitive because as an undergrad I wasn’t a competitive student and this program allowed me to be more competitive academically and I saw a growth in my studies just by doing this program. My favorite course was actually the Neuroscience course and the reason why I liked that course so much was because Dr. Green and Dr. Nygard were the best instructors. They really made this complex course really understandable, very easy to understand, and I really liked that they focused on the clinical manifestations because that is something I am really interested in, as an inspiring physician. As a prior CNA, a Nurse Assistant, I was able to see how a neurologist would perform these neurological exams on patients, so it was very special for me to not only learn about it but also conduct it.
Applicants to the Master of Science in Medical Science must meet the following minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet all standards may be admitted with the approval of the Program Director; exceptions are made on an individual basis.
A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. While applicants typically have degrees in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or other related fields, applicants with degrees in other fields of study will be considered.
Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptions to the GPA requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Complete all required prerequisites with a C or better. Exceptions to prerequisite requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants from institutions following the quarter system will have an equivalent semester credit number calculated for prerequisite requirements. Please note that medical school or other health professional schools may require Physics I & II as a prerequisite for satisfying admissions requirements. Students who are missing a prerequisite course requirement or are looking to improve their GPA can choose to take an SCU Accelerated Science course and complete the requirements in as little as five weeks. SCU’s Accelerated Science courses are prequalified and guaranteed acceptance for this program. Click here to learn more.
24 semester hours (36 quarter units) of life and physical science courses with a grade of C or higher. Exceptions to prerequisites requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that medical schools or other health professions programs may require additional courses as prerequisites to satisfy their admissions requirements; please refer to those programs for their admission prerequisites.
Test scores from one of the following standardized admissions tests are recommended but not required: MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT, GRE, or VCAT.
Students are required to provide a personal statement explaining reasons for pursuing the Master of Science in Medical Science, short-term and long-term career plans, and how background, previous experience, interest, and/or values, when combined with a Master of Science in Medical Science degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences, will enable successful pursuit of these goals. Minimum of 300 words, not to exceed 600 words.
$36,540 tuition to complete the 3 terms program.*
SCU’s distinctive Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs provides students with confidence in planning for their educational investment.
Fixed Tuition Guarantee Benefits:
If you would like to learn more about the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
*Tuition is built on a term basis, not credit hour and the rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
**Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees | Petition to Graduate Fee | Total Term Cost* |
| 1 | $12,180 | $250 | – | $12,430 |
| 2 | $12,180 | $250 | – | $12,430 |
| 3 | $12,180 | $250 | $150 | $12,580 |
| Totals | $36,540 | $750 | $150 | $37,440 |
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees | Petition to Graduate Fee | Total Term Cost* |
| 1 | $7,308 | $200 | – | $7,508 |
| 2 | $7,308 | $200 | – | $7,508 |
| 3 | $7,308 | $200 | – | $7,508 |
| 4 | $7,308 | $200 | – | $7,508 |
| 5 | $7,308 | $200 | $150 | $7,658 |
| Totals | $36,540 | $1,000 | $150 | $37,690 |
You wouldn’t be looking at this program if you weren’t interested in preparing yourself for a successful medical career. Your dedication and enthusiasm for enhancing your academic credentials makes you the perfect fit for SCU. Now begin to discover why we’re the perfect fit for you.
Our approach to Interprofessional Education is unique in California and across the country. Here, modern medicine unites with ancient and traditional healing arts to create an environment of engagement. SCU’s groundbreaking IPE model combines curriculum, clinic, community, and clubs to help you develop a broader base of knowledge and gain a deeper appreciation for different perspectives on care which leads to a seamless transition from student to practitioner.
We bring together aspiring students from different disciplines so you can learn and excel side-by-side. The depth and breadth of this dynamic experience will prepare you to one day take the lead in a collaborative, interprofessional practice.
View our application requirements above or fill out a request for information to start speaking with an enrollment advisor today.
Students at SCU have many financial assistance opportunities available to them in order to cover their educational expenses. It is the policy of the Financial Aid Office to assist our students as much as possible to afford their education. Talk with a financial counselor by calling (562) 947-8755 ext 766 or click here to learn more.
Fixed Tuition Guarantee Benefits:
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