Programs

Overview

This professional pathway allows students holding U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency status to earn a combined Bachelor of Science in Premedical and Health Studies from MCPHS and a Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) from Drexel University College of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA) in 5 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

BS in Premedical and Health Studies / Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) from Drexel University College of Medicine pathway

MCPHS and Drexel University College of Medicine have established an Early Acceptance Program agreement whereby MCPHS students are enrolled jointly by MCPHS and by Drexel University College of Medicine to facilitate the admission of MCPHS students into Drexel University College of Medicine’s Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) program.

The Early Acceptance Program allows students to complete the BS portion of their curriculum at MCPHS before progressing to Drexel University College of Medicine’s MSP program beginning the fall after graduation from MCPHS.

The program allows for completion of the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Premedical and Health Studies from MCPHS and Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) with Drexel University College of Medicine in 5 years.

Please note: Drexel University requires that all applicants to this program must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency status.

MCPHS students must meet the Drexel University College of Medicine entry requirements listed below to be eligible for matriculation in the MSP program.

Program Requirements

A maximum of 2 students who meet the eligibility requirements will be assured admission into the Drexel University College of Medicine’s Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) program following successful completion of all Premedical and Health Studies (BS) degree requirements.

• Completed at least 3.5 years, and no fewer than 105 credits of coursework, with an average of “B” or better (3.0 GPA) at MCPHS (overall and major) with no major grade less than a “C”
• Receive the endorsement of their candidacy to the MSP Program by MCPHS
• Demonstrate the personal qualities necessary to become a member of the student body of the Professional Studies Programs and fulfill his/her role as a future physician or health care provider
• The MSP Program makes the final decision on the acceptance or rejection of students from MCPHS into this program.

Please contact MCPHS Admission for additional questions.

Application Process

Drexel University College of Medicine will require the following application requirements to be considered for admission into the MSP program.

• Complete and provide all the necessary forms and documents required by the MSP Program by January 10th of the senior year in order for the MSP Program to make its decision
• Be invited and conduct a telephone interview with one of the Co-Directors of the MSP Program

Selection Criteria

A maximum of 2 students who meet the criteria set forth by Drexel University College of Medicine (see eligibility under Program Requirements), are assured admission into the Drexel University College of Medicine’s Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) program. Students in the Premedical and Health Studies program who fail to be admitted to the MSP program at Drexel University College of Medicine will be granted a four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) from MCPHS, providing all requirements are met. 

The Professional Pathway to Becoming a Physician or Health Care Provider

The professional pathway is designed for the academically outstanding student who has a strong passion for medicine. The 4 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 year at Drexel University College of Medicine will provide the professional education required for the Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Preparatory (MSP) degree.

The design of the MCPHS Premedical and Health Studies curriculum is oriented toward the mission and values of Drexel University College of Medicine.

Drexel University College of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)

Mission:

Drexel University College of Medicine excels and innovates in education, research, and delivery of compassionate care in our culture of diversity, spirited inquiry, collaboration, and opportunity.

About:

Drexel University College of Medicine, a new name just a few years ago, is the consolidation of two venerable medical schools with rich and intertwined histories: Hahnemann Medical College and Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Established in 1848 and 1850, respectively, they were two of the earliest medical colleges in the United States, and Woman’s was the very first medical school for women in the world.

Today, with over 1,000 medical students, Drexel University College of Medicine has the largest medical student enrollment of any private medical school in the nation. Graduate students number more than 500, and the College is the academic partner in the education of some 550 medical residents. There are more than 700 clinical and basic science faculty, and more than 1,700 affiliate and volunteer faculty.

Curriculum

Year I-Fall

Year I-Spring

If LIB 120 is completed in Year I Spring, then you will have the following Year II schedule.

Year II-Fall

Year II-Spring

If LIB 133 is completed in Year I spring, then you will have the following Year II schedule.

Year II-Fall

Year II-Spring

Year III-Fall

*Third year BEH requirement: students take BEH 250 Health Psychology, BEH 405 Mind/Body Medicine, or BEH 450 Behavioral Health.

**PHY270/272L in the Fall can be replaced by PHY280 with lab (Physics I) by those students seeking more focused preparation for professional school entrance exams such as the MCAT, OAT, or DAT.

Year III-Spring

*Students who chose PHY280 with lab in the fall should take PHY284 (instead of PHY274) with lab to complete this physics sequence.

**The general elective may be LIB 305 Medical College Preparation Course, for 2 s.h.

Year IV-Fall

Year IV-Spring

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. 

Drexel University

Drexel University College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Outcomes

At Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), our Premedical and Health Studies program offers a variety of pathways to pursue upon graduation. The professional pathways include:

• Medicine (with The Commonwealth Medical College and Ross University)
• Dental Medicine (with Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) 
• Physician Assistant Studies (MCPHS-Boston)
• Physical Therapy (MCPHS-Worcester)
• Optometry (MCPHS-Worcester)
• Veterinary Medicine (with Ross University)
• Podiatric Medicine (with Barry University or Temple University)
• Osteopathic Medicine (with A.T. Still University or Lake Erie College of
  Osteopathic Medicine)
• Occupational Therapy (with Springfield College)
• Chiropractic Medicine (with D’Youville College)

Since the program’s inception in 2000, Premedical and Health Studies students have advanced to medical, dental, and veterinary schools with an acceptance rate of 74 percent.

Check out where our MCPHS graduates are now.

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:

• Master 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 University of Vermont, University of Massachusetts, Commonwealth Medical College, Ross University, St. Louis University, Tufts University, NY Medical College, & St. George's University
• D.P.M. program at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
• D.V.M. program at Tufts University and Colorado State University
• D.M.D. programs at Tufts University, Boston University, and University of Nevada Schools of Dental Medicine 
• 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