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Master's Programs

PhD and Masters Programs Intro Basic Content

This is an exciting time for training in the broad areas of life sciences (e.g., biomedical research, neuroscience) or public health sciences. At Penn State College of Medicine, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have opportunities to work with dedicated mentors to address questions of critical importance in basic and translational research fields.

State of the art facilities afford the use of advanced methodologies to advance the frontiers of discovery and address clinical challenges in neurodegenerative or cardiovascular diseases, addiction, cancer, diabetes and other human diseases. The College of Medicine’s collaborative environment facilitates interactions between biomedical researchers, public health experts and clinicians to provide exceptional training to the next generation of leading scientists, educators, science communicators and pharmaceutical industry researchers.

It is a privilege to work with diverse trainees and a dedicated cadre of faculty and staff committed to providing an outstanding training experience to all students and postdoctoral scholars at Penn State College of Medicine.

Please explore our programs at Penn State College of Medicine!

Sincerely,
Daniela C. Zarnescu, PhD
Professor, Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Training
Penn State College of Medicine

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Master's Programs Anatomy MS

Anatomy (MS)

The master's program in Anatomy (MS) at Penn State College of Medicine is a two-year course of study with an emphasis in preparing students for further professional education (such as medicine, dentistry and osteopathy).

In addition to the traditional areas of study including gross anatomy, histology, human embryology and neuroanatomy, the curriculum includes core courses in cell biology, systems biology, biochemistry and physiology, as well as a research component culminating in the oral defense of a written thesis.

Common Careers
  • Doctor
  • Professor
  • Researcher

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Masters Programs List Biomedical Sciences MS

Biomedical Sciences (MS)

In the master's program in Biomedical Sciences (MS) at Penn State College of Medicine, you’ll receive rigorous curricular and research training with a unique focus on human health and disease.

Students specialize in one of six tracks: biomedical sciences, biochemistry, genetics and genomics, cancer biology, cellular and integrative physiology, translational therapeutics, or virology and immunology. You’ll receive rigorous training that provides the skills necessary to excel in biomedical research and participate in other endeavors including business, education, law, journalism and public policy.

Common Careers
  • Science writer
  • Biomedical laboratory technician
  • Clinical research associate

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Master's Program Public Health Sciences MS

Clinical Research (MS)

Prepare for a career in health-related research, with an emphasis on hands-on applications of methods in the real world, in this 30-credit program designed for working students.

The program includes graduate-level course work in biostatistics, epidemiology and health services research, and provides knowledge and insight required in health related research. Students learn population-based methods for planning, executing, analyzing and disseminating research results, and methods for evaluating and improving health care practices.

Common Careers
  • Academic health center administrator
  • Health insurance director
  • Research analyst

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Master's Programs Homeland Security MPS

Homeland Security - Public Health Preparedness (MPS)

Delivered exclusively online through Penn State World Campus, the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in homeland security gives you comprehensive training in a fast-growing field with the convenience of completing coursework from anywhere in the world.

Our curriculum provides a fundamental understanding of homeland security in a global context with the option to specialize in public health preparedness, geospatial intelligence, information security and forensics, or agricultural biosecurity and food defense.

Common Careers
  • Health services administration
  • Emergency management
  • Healthcare manager
  • Facilities management
  • Disaster recovery
  • Transition to DrPH

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Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Accelerated Master of Public Health (IUG MPH)

The logo for the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is a circle with the words Master's/Doctoral CEPH Accredited and an image of three red and gray interlocking circles.

This integrated undergraduate/graduate (IUG) program is offered by the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State's main campus in University Park and Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey.

Penn State students at University Park enrolled in Biobehavioral Health, Health Policy and Administration, Kinesiology or Nutritional Sciences programs can earn both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Health degree as part of this five-year program.

Common Careers
  • Health Legislative Analyst
  • Health and Wellness Coach
  • Population Health Coordinator
  • Behavioral Health Education Coordinator

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Master's Program Laboratory Animal Medicine MS

Laboratory Animal Medicine (MS)

This research-oriented degree is designed for graduate veterinarians (DVM or VMD) interested in further study in the area of comparative medicine.

The program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in laboratory animal medicine, including thesis research, generally completed in two years. Although the program follows the general pattern laid out by the graduate school, you can adapt the requirements to your particular interests and needs. We work in a multidisciplinary fashion with all other departments in the College of Medicine.

Common Careers
  • Animal medicine researcher
  • Instructor or professor
  • Animal research facility director

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Master's Program Master of Public Health MPH

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The logo for the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is a circle with the words Master's/Doctoral CEPH Accredited and an image of three red and gray interlocking circles.

In this 42-credit MPH program, you'll gain knowledge and skills in the five core areas of public health: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health services administration, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each student specializes in one of three areas: community and behavioral health, epidemiology and biostatistics, or health systems organization and policy. You’ll also enjoy a high level of faculty-student interaction, supported by an individualized, student-centered approach and small class sizes.

Common Careers
  • Biostatistician
  • Surveillance Officer
  • Research Project Manager
  • Public Health Administrator
  • Clinical Research Coordinator

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Master's Neuroscience

Neuroscience (MS)

Understanding the workings of the nervous system — how it functions and what goes wrong in a wide array of neurological and psychiatric diseases — is one of the greatest challenges in biomedical sciences.

In the master’s program in Neuroscience, you’ll receive rigorous curricular and research training, culminating in a master’s thesis project.

Common Careers
  • Science Writer
  • Biomedical Laboratory Technician
  • Clinical Research Associate

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Master's Smeal Master of Management and Organizational Leadership

Smeal Master of Management and Organizational Leadership

An intense one-year resident program designed to provide a solid foundation in business, management, and leadership.

This program is targeted at students that have completed their undergraduate degree and want to do a bridge year before starting medical school. This unique early-career program provides a solid business foundation and is taught by the same world-class faculty that teach in the Smeal MBA program.

Common Careers
  • Healthcare administrator
  • Consulting
  • Management
  • Business Analyst

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Graduate Education video

In this video, explore explore how Penn State College of Medicine does more than elevate medical education and research – we define the very meaning of medicine.