Overview
This professional pathway allows students holding U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency status to earn a combined BS from MCPHS and Doctor of Medicine (MD) from The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 8 years.
Program Highlights
- Faculty mentors with years of expertise in both teaching and advising pre-health professions students
- A strong peer support network of pre-health students, including a Premedical Society and Minority Association of Health Professions Students Chapter
- Committee letter and interview support for students applying to professional school; courses and resources that are custom designed for professional school entrance exams and application preparation
- Research fellowships, clinical internships, and volunteer and shadowing opportunities in the Longwood Medical area and Greater Boston
For programs marked with an asterisk (*): Institutional partners require that all applicants must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency status.
Program Details
This partnership joins the Bachelor of Science in Premedical and Health Studies program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) with the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The MCPHS - TCMC affiliation provides a professional pathway through which the highly accomplished student may earn assured admission to an MD program in a U.S. medical school.
The program allows for completion of the Bachelor of Science (BS) at MCPHS and the Doctor of Medicine (MD) at TCMC in eight years.
MCPHS students must meet the TCMC entry requirements listed below to be eligible for matriculation in the MD program.
Please note: TCMC requires that all applicants to this program must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency status.
For more information, please see our Premed FAQs.
Program Requirements
Students who meet eligibility requirements will be assured admission into the TCMC Doctor of Medicine program following successful completion of all Premedical and Health Studies BS degree requirements. Students will meet with premedical mentors during their sophomore and junior years to prepare for the application process.
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible for admission to The Commonwealth Medical College:
- An overall GPA of 3.50 for all courses in the Premedical and Health Studies program.
- A GPA of 3.50 or higher in all science courses in the degree program, which include:
- Chemical Principles I and II with Labs (8 credits)
- Organic Chemistry I and II with Labs (8 credits)
- Biochemistry I and II (6 credits)
- General Biology I and II with Labs (8 credits)
- Medical Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
- Genetics (3 credits)
- Immunology (3 credits)
- Physics I and II with Labs (8 credits)
- Calculus I and II (6 credits)
- Statistics (3)
- No grade in any course at MCPHS below a "C."
- A score of 30 or higher on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) with a score of at least 8 in each section.
- Interviewing successfully for TCMC's medical program
- A defined clinical experience of significant duration (to be discussed with faculty mentors)
Application Process
During the Junior year and summer following (or, for students interested in having a "gap year", this would occur during the Senior year and summer following graduation), the applicant must do the following:
Notify a faculty mentor or program director of their intent to apply
Take the MCAT exam and have scores sent to TCMC
Complete an AMCAS application and indicate TCMC as one of the medical schools they are applying to
Arrange for a committee letter of recommendation from the MCPHS Pre-Health Advisory Committee.
Selection Criteria
All students who meet the criteria set forth by The Commonwealth Medical College (see eligibility under program requirements), including a successful interview, are assured admission into the TCMC Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. Students in the Premedical and Health Studies program who fail to be admitted to the MD program at TCMC will be automatically granted entry into TCMC's Master's of Biomedical Sciences Program. Acceptance into or completion of the Master's in Biomedical Sciences Program does not imply guaranteed acceptance into the medical program.
The Professional Pathway to Becoming a Medical Doctor
The professional pathway is designed for the academically outstanding student who has a strong passion for medicine. The four years at MCPHS will provide a challenging baccalaureate curriculum in Premedical and Health Studies that will prepare students for professional study. Upon graduation from MCPHS, the subsequent four years at TCMC will provide the professional education required for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
The design of the MCPHS premedical curriculum is oriented toward the mission and values of TCMC medical school.
Medical Education at Commonwealth Medical College School of Medicine, Pennsylvania
Mission: "The Commonwealth Medical College will educate aspiring physicians and scientists to serve society using a community-based, patient-centered, interprofessional and evidence-based model of education that is committed to inclusion, promotes discovery and utilizes innovative techniques."
About TCMC: "The Commonwealth Medical College was conceived in a community led grass roots effort to respond to the regional decrease in physician availability, and to improve the health of community residents. The community envisioned a College that would create a physician who would be equipped to practice evidence based medicine, would be an excellent communicator and would work to improve the health of their community.
Highlights of the MD Education include:
We are focused on developing diverse community physicians (both primary care and specialists) for the 21st century - those who are skilled in evidence-based medicine and the latest technology.
TCMC also offers a one year Masters of Biomedical Sciences program to assist students who seek either more preparation for medical or other professional degree programs. Program highlights of the MBS program include:
TCMC is building a new 180,000 square foot Medical Sciences Building, to be completed in 2011, that will house both the educational and research programs."
Accreditation
"TCMC was awarded degree granting authority by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2008, received preliminary LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) accreditation in 2008 and accepted its first class of medical and master's students in 2009."
- A competency based curriculum with integrated basic and clinical science education
- A distributive model of medical education that utilizes clinical training sites throughout the sixteen county region
- In the first month of the educational program the assignment of a family and clinical mentor to each medical student who will work with the student throughout their education
- An integrated clerkship in the 3rd year that allows the students more continuity of care and has been shown to have high student satisfaction
- A focus on community service, learning to work on a medical team/interprofessional educational experiences
- Princeton Review course for MCAT preparation
- Workshops on medical school interviewing skills
- Graduate level courses in the biomedical sciences
- Experiences in the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center
Q: Can I keep my scholarships after I transition into the professional phase of the Premedical and Health Studies Professional Pathways?
A: Yes, provided the professional phase is taught here at MCPHS and you must maintain the minimum GPA requirement of the scholarship.
Q: If I decide not to pursue the Professional Pathways, what can I do with a Bachelor of Science in Premedical & Health Studies?
A: You can go on to do research, work in a lab, or go to school to teach. By adding a minor, your B.S. in Premedical & Health Studies becomes a very flexible degree.
Q: Does the College provide research opportunities to Premedical & Health Studies students?
A: MCPHS has a SURF program, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), which affords research opportunities with our own faculty to qualified students. In addition, there are many opportunities in the area hospitals and research facilities, some of which are Harvard Affiliates.
Curriculum
Year I-Fall
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BIO 150
|
Biology I Laboratory
|
1
|
|
BIO 151
|
Biology I: Cell and Molecular Biology
|
3
|
|
CHE 131
|
Chemical Principles I (w/lab)
|
4
|
|
FYS 101
|
First Year Seminar
|
1
|
|
LIB 111
|
Expository Writing I
|
3
|
|
MAT 151
|
Calculus I
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
15
|
Year I-Spring
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BIO 152
|
Biology II: Biology of Organisms (w/lab)
|
4
|
|
CHE 132
|
Chemical Principles II (w/lab)
|
4
|
|
LIB 112
|
Expository Writing II
|
3
|
|
LIB 120
|
Introduction to Psychology or
|
3
|
|
LIB 133
|
American Culture, Identity, and Public Life
|
|
|
MAT 152
|
Calculus II
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
17
|
If LIB 120 is completed in Year I Spring, then you will have the following Year II schedule.
Year II-Fall
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BEH 350
|
Abnormal Psychology
|
3
|
|
CHE 231
|
Organic Chemistry I w/lab
|
4
|
|
LIB 133
|
American Culture, Identity, and Public Life
|
3
|
|
LIB 205
|
Health Professions Orientation Seminar
|
1
|
|
MAT 261
|
Statistics
|
3
|
|
Humanities elective
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
17
|
Year II-Spring
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BIO 255
|
Medical Microbiology (w/lab)
|
4
|
|
CHE 232
|
Organic Chemistry II
|
3
|
|
CHE 234L
|
Organic Chemistry II Lab
|
1
|
|
SSC 230
|
Cultural Anthropology
|
3
|
|
SSC 495
|
Evolution of the Health Professions
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
14
|
If LIB 133 is completed in Year I Spring, then you will have the following Year II schedule.
Year II-Fall
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
CHE 231
|
Organic Chemistry I w/lab
|
4
|
|
LIB 120
|
Introduction to Psychology
|
3
|
|
LIB 205
|
Health Professions Orientation Seminar
|
1
|
|
MAT 261
|
Statistics
|
3
|
|
SSC 230
|
Cultural Anthropology
|
3
|
|
SSC 495
|
Evolution of the Health Professions
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
17
|
Year II-Spring
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BEH 350
|
Abnormal Psychology
|
3
|
|
BIO 255
|
Medical Microbiology (w/lab)
|
4
|
|
CHE 232
|
Organic Chemistry II
|
3
|
|
CHE 234L
|
Organic Chemistry II Lab
|
1
|
|
Humanities elective
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
14
|
Year III-Fall
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BEH 250/405/450*
|
Behavioral Sciences
|
3
|
|
LIB 220
|
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
for Health Professionals
|
3
|
|
PHY 280
|
Physics I (w/lab)
|
4
|
|
PSB 331
|
Biochemistry I
|
3
|
|
Social science elective
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
16
|
*Third year BEH requirement: students take BEH 250 Health Psychology, BEH 405 Mind/Body Medicine, or BEH 450 Behavioral Health.
Year III-Spring
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BIO 332
|
Genetics
|
3
|
|
LIB 512
|
Health Care Ethics
|
3
|
|
PHY 284
|
Physics II (w/lab)
|
4
|
|
PSB 332
|
Biochemistry II
|
3
|
|
General elective*
|
2 (3)
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
15 (16)
|
*The general elective may be LIB 305 Medical College Preparation Course, for 2 s.h.
Year IV-Fall
Course
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BIO 734
|
Immunology
|
3
|
|
HUM 456
|
Literature and Medicine
|
3
|
|
General electives
|
9
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
15
|
Year IV-Spring
COURSE
|
TITLE
|
SEMESTER HOURS
|
|
BIO 531
|
Public Health
|
3
|
|
LIB 480
|
Premedical and Health Studies Capstone Seminar
|
3
|
|
General electives
|
9
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
15
|
Total credits to complete degree requirements: 124 (125) s.h.
Accreditation
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is authorized to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in the health sciences and related fields. MCPHS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Inc. through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
Advisory Committee
The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee exists to support students who
are seeking admission to medical school or other health professional schools.
When it is determined that a committee letter is warranted, the committee
composes an evaluative letter that incorporates the student's reference letters,
academic credentials, community service and extracurricular activities, research
accomplishments, and other relevant personal data. The Committee may also
coordinate mock interviews for students who are completing secondary
applications.
The Committee members pursue liaison or working relationships with medical
and professional school representatives and admissions committees. They attend
national or regional meetings of the National Association of Advisors for the
Health Professions (NAAHP) and share pertinent materials and knowledge acquired
at these meetings with colleagues and students. The Committee also periodically
reviews and updates the Premedical and Health Studies degree program
requirements, embedded minor concentrations, and affiliated professional school
pathways.
The Committee is composed of the Premedical and Health Studies Program
Director, Assistant Director, and faculty program mentors and is chaired by the
Program Director or Assistant Director. Faculty program mentors hold office
hours for advising, serve as contacts for specific pathways, write letters of
recommendation, and participate in pre-health professions events in addition to
their teaching, service and research responsibilities.
Graduates of the College have been accepted at a number of medical and dental
schools, including Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Boston University,
Dartmouth School of Medicine, Duke University, Georgetown University, Howard
University, Medical College of Virginia, Michigan State University, Mt. Sinai
School of Medicine, the State University of New York at Brooklyn, the State
University of New York at Buffalo, the State University of New York at Stony
Brook, Syracuse University, Tulane University, Tufts University, University of
Massachusetts, and the University of Vermont.
Recently, Premedical & Health Studies majors have had acceptances to the
following programs:
- Masters of Physician Assistant studies program at MCPHS
- M.D./M.P.H. programs at Tufts Univ. School of Medicine and Tulane Univ.
School of Medicine
- M.D. programs at Univ. of Vermont, Univ. of Massachusetts, Commonwealth
Medical College, Ross Univ. & St. Georges Univ.
- D.P.M. program at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
- D.V.M. program at Tufts University and Colorado State Univ.
- D.M.D. programs at Tufts University and Boston University Schools of
Dentistry
- accelerated BSN program at MCPHS, Nurse Practitioner track
- clinical research internships with the National Institutes of Health IRT
program and Harvard Medical School
- O.D. degree program at Pennsylvania College of Optometry & accelerated
O.D. degree at the New England College of Optometry
- and many others
For Transfers
MCPHS welcomes students from other institutions. Any applicant to MCPHS who has completed at least one semester of college coursework (12 credits or more) is considered to be a transfer applicant. Students who have been out of high school for more than two years are strongly encouraged to take math and science courses at another accredited college or university and then to apply for transfer to MCPHS.
The transfer requirements may be different for different MCPHS programs. To find the requirements for transferring into this program, please click the link below.
Transfer Requirements for Premedical and Health Studies (BS) (Boston)