Certificate in Medical Science Program

CONTACT US

Todd Green, PhD
Assistant Dean for Preclerkship Curriculum
304.696.7329
green@marshall.edu

Prepare for medical school with a strong foundation in the sciences.

The Certificate in Medical Science at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine is a one-year program designed to strengthen the academic foundation of students preparing for medical school. The program is designed for students looking to strengthen their applications to medical school, with coursework in core pre-clerkship sciences—biochemistry, physiology, immunology, microbiology and pharmacology taught by the same faculty who teach in the medical school. Students are also eligible to receive a subsidy for an MCAT preparation course, further supporting your success.

While admission to the certificate program does not guarantee admission to medical school, students who complete the program with a GPA of 3.4 or higher and an MCAT score of 505 or above are eligible for early interview consideration at Marshall's School of Medicine.

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Program Highlights

Fast-track preparation: Complete in just two semesters
Core medical sciences: Biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology and biostatistics
Smaller classes – more interaction and personalized support
Team-based learning – collaborative approach that mirrors medical school training
MCAT prep support: Ask about our subsidy available for an MCAT preparation course
Early interview opportunity: Students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher and MCAT of 505 or higher receive early consideration for Marshall’s Doctor of Medicine program
Graduate pathway: Credits apply toward the M.S. in Biomedical Research (non-thesis)

Take the next step toward medical school. Apply today to the Certificate in Medical Science at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered, applicants must have:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Successful completion (grade of C or better) of:
- One year each of general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics (with labs)
- One semester of biochemistry
- One year of social or behavioral sciences
Recommended GPA of 3.0 overall and in combined science/math courses

Additional application materials:

Official transcript(s)
Three letters of recommendation
Personal statement of educational and career goals
CV/resume

GRE/MCAT scores are optional but may strengthen your application.

Application Deadlines

Fall admission: June 30
Spring admission: December 1
International applicants must follow deadlines set by the Office of Admissions.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the class is filled. Conditional admission may be offered for one term pending receipt of final transcripts.

Curriculum

Students may matriculate in either the fall or spring term, completing a minimum of 16 credit hours across two semesters:

Fall Semester

BMR 601: Introduction to Nucleic Acids and Proteins (3 CR)
BMS 605: Microbiology and Pharmacology for the Medical Sciences (5 CR)

Spring Semester

PHS 629: Mammalian Physiology (6 CR)
BMS 634: Biostatistics and Epidemiology for the Medical Sciences (2 CR)

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The Comprehensive Assessment will consist of a multiple-choice exam covering all courses that the student must achieve a minimum score of 70% to pass.

Tuition & Fees

The Medical Science Certificate is a one-year, two-semester program. Students enroll in 8 credit hours per semester (16 total). Because this is a certificate program, students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

2025–2026 Tuition & Fees (per semester)

West Virginia Resident: $5,394
Metro Resident: $7,336
Non-Resident: $10,678

Students are responsible for additional costs such as books, supplies and university fees.