Program Overview

Master's Degree (MS) in Medical Sciences

The Master's Degree in Medical Sciences is a broad interdisciplinary degree program housed in the College of Medicine. Participating Departments and Centers include Behavioral Sciences; Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences; Toxicology and Cancer Biology; Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics; Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry; Neuroscience; and Physiology.

Program Overview

The Master’s of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) may be used as a stand-alone degree by students seeking career enhancement in fields such as basic biomedical research, the pharmaceutical industry, or the health science professions; by students seeking academic credentials in the biomedical sciences prior to applying for medical school or other health-related professional degree programs; or by students seeking to enhance their knowledge base prior to choosing a career direction.

Program Details

• Credit Hours: 30
• Credential: MS
• Tuition / Credit Hour:
  • Resident: $825.50
  • Non-Resident: $2,060.50

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited institution of higher learning.
• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 and graduate GPA of 3.0.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement
• For the best chances of gaining admission to the program, an applicant should have one year of general chemistry, one semester of organic chemistry (or one semester of organic chemistry and one semester of biochemistry) and at least one year of biology.

Application Deadlines

Domestic

• Fall: 07/24/2026
• Spring: 12/12/2025

International

• Fall: 04/15/2026
• Spring: 09/15/2025

Program Structure

Students entering the MS in Medical Sciences program can choose either a thesis option (Plan A), requiring 30 hours of graduate level coursework, including six hours of research, or a non-thesis option (Plan B), also requiring 30 hours of graduate level coursework, including three hours of research. Plan A requires a defense of the master’s thesis while Plan B requires a final master’s exam.

Clinical and Translational Sciences Concentration

Students accepted into the CTS program typically consist of fellows or residents who have completed a formal professional degree program (e.g., MD, DMD, PharmD) with a rigorous basic biomedical sciences training.

Funding Opportunities

As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program.