Mar 19, 2024  
2018-2019 
    
2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Sciences, M.A.


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Master of Arts in Medical Sciences: 36 credits

The Master of Arts in Medical Sciences at Heritage University (HU) is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in a health-related field. The program introduces students to a broad range of topics in the medical sciences while strengthening their academic credentials for admission to Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program and other professional schools.

Students who have already completed their course requirements for admission to the PNWU D.O. program can demonstrate their readiness for professional school by taking some courses alongside first-year medical students at PNWU. It is anticipated that greater than 80% of program graduates will gain admissions into a professional school.

The curriculum in the M.A. in Medical Sciences program is closely aligned with the first-year medical curriculum at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) with two (2) major courses having nearly identical content and faculty.

Program Learning Goals and Outcomes:

Students/graduates will:

1. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the basic sciences that underlie the health professions.

  • Produce a passing grade in Scientific Foundations of Medicine (SciFOM) taken alongside first-year PNWU osteopathic medical students.
  • Produce a passing grade in Pharmacogenomics taken with first-year WSU pharmacy students.
  • Obtain a graduation rate of over 90%, annually and cumulatively.
  • Attain an annual and cumulative placement/acceptance rate of over 75% for students applying for admission to health professional school/graduate school or seeking employment within the healthcare field.
  • Attain an academic good standing rate of over 90% for students in health professional/graduate school or healthcare employment, annually and cumulatively.

 

2. Relate a basic understanding of the methods used in scientific inquiry and data analysis as well as presentation of scientific/medical data.

  • Produce a passing grade in Research Theory & Techniques.
  • Execute and present an abstract as well as a poster on a medically/scientifically relevant topic to a campus, state, regional, or national peer audience.

 

3. Show an elementary understanding of the clinical skills, roles, and decision making standards that guide health practitioners.

  • Produce a passing grade in Medical Skills & Theory I, II.
  • Produce a passing grade in Health Professions I, II.
  • Produce a passing grade in Biomedical Ethics.

 

4. Integrate a functional understanding of professionalism, cultural awareness, and teamwork applicable towards optimal patient care and scholarly activity.

  • Portray behavior compliant with HU, PNWU, and WSU student conduct policies, annually and cumulatively.
  • Network in a diverse cohort with an annual and cumulative minority enrollment of at least 35%.
  • Produce a passing grade in Health Disparities.
  • Produce a passing grade in Foundations of Personalized Medicine
  • Interface in a post-baccalaureate program with an annual and cumulative satisfaction rate of over 85%.

Program Value


  • Strengthens professional school application (PNWU and other schools)
  • Preparation for careers in pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations
  • Small class size (14-18)
  • Access to state-of-the-art simulation laboratory and HU/PNWU faculty

Program Design and Curriculum Content


The one year program (36 semester credits) is delivered Monday through Thursday (9 am to 3 pm) at Heritage University. Some coursework and/or learning experiences may be conducted at PNWU.

Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the program. Students taking courses requiring pre-requisites much achieve a grade of C (70%) to progress to the next course. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses.

The core courses required of all students in the M.A. in Medical Sciences Degree are indicated below.

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