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Minimum Admission Requirements 

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. 
• A minimum 3.0 GPA overall with a 3.0 for combined science and math courses is recommended.
  • Under certain circumstances, the minimum GPA requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis. 
• Completion of all prerequisite coursework with a grade "C" or better.
• Completion of extensive undergraduate research or summer research.  
• No entrance exam is required, however.
  
  • GRE scores may be submitted to strengthen your application. 

Prerequisite Coursework 

• Two semesters of general biology and associated laboratories.
• Two semesters of general chemistry and associated laboratories.
• Two semesters of organic chemistry and associated laboratories.
• Two semesters of physics and associated laboratories.
• One semester of biochemistry or molecular biology

Application Process 

• Submit the Biomedical Research Ph.D. application and supporting documents on BioMedCas Applicant Portal
  • When creating BioMedCas account, select 2023-2024 cycle.  
• Supporting Documents required: 
  • Official Transcripts 
  • Written Statement 
    • Your statement should address your educational and career goals, and why you should be admitted to the Biomedical Research Ph.D. program. 
  • Three Letters of Recommendation 
    • Letters of recommendation from STEM-related Professors preferred.  
    • Recommendation requests can be found under "Supporting Information" of BioMedCas application. 
  • Resume or CV
  • International Students will need to submit proof of English Proficiency. Visit https://www.marshall.edu/admissions/graduate-proof-of-english-proficiency/ to learn more.
• Pay $83 application fee on BioMedCas Applicant Portal. 
• Deadline to apply for International Students is March 15th. 

Apply NOW!

Financial Assistance and Grant Opportunities 

• Accepted Biomedical Research Ph.D. students receive tuition remission, an annual stipend of $28,500, and health insurance.  
  • MU JCESOM Biomedical Research Ph.D. program does not require its students to teach within the classroom to qualify for stipend funding; this allows students to focus on the requirements of their research.
    • Opportunities for classroom instruction are available, however, and instruction in public speaking is a core element of the program. 
  • Students also have access to Marshall University’s Student Health Clinic. 
    • Students are required to pay a small amount in fees per term. For more information about these fees, please email mubiomed@marshall.edu.
• As a part of the educational process, students are expected to apply for grants.
  • Examples of some of the fellowships and local grants that Biomedical Research Ph.D. students have received are on our Student Funding Opportunities page.

Research Rotations

When entering the Biomedical Research Ph.D. program, students are required to complete rotations through a minimum of three different laboratories, each rotation consisting of at least 120 hours. These rotations help students build rapport with faculty and students, decide on their preferred area of research, and learn new research techniques. Students have the opportunity to rotate among labs within the following clusters:

• Cell Biology Research Cluster 
• Obesity and Related Diseases Cluster 
• Neurobiology and Addiction Research Center 
• Toxicology and Environment Health Research Cluster 
• Cardiovascular Disease Research Cluster

Duration of Program

Students are expected to complete the requirements of the Biomedical Research Ph.D. degree within five years. Students who possess a Master of Science (M.S) in Biomedical Research or the equivalent when admitted typically require three to four years to complete the Ph.D. degree.