MAMS - A CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RICH BRIDGE PROGRAM TO HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL

The Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS) degree at Heritage University, a predominantly Native American and Hispanic-serving institution, is a one year bridge or pipeline program to graduate health professional schools. MAMS students are typically first generation, minority, late-blooming, or disadvantaged individuals. Coursework taken alongside first-year medical students at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences as well as first-year pharmacy students at Washington State University coupled with standardized exam preparation, service-learning opportunities, and access to medical school faculty/staff provide MAMS students with the capability to strengthen their applications as well as demonstrate their readiness for professional school. The curriculum is cellular sciences rich and focuses on the molecular basis of health and disease. Nearly one half of the coursework is cellular sciences in nature and covers topics such as histology, immunology, embryology, microbiology, biochemical metabolism, genetics, pharmacogenomics, medical physiology, and research theory. Additional instruction is provided in medical skills and the psychosocial basis of disease and treatment. Delivery of course content utilizes lectures, in-class discussion, case-based learning, small-group learning, computer-facilitated learning, and laboratory activities to maximize student comprehension of fundamental basic science principles. Since the program’s inception in 2012, 100% of students have graduated, 40% of students have been minorities, over 90% of graduates have gained admission into a health professional school of their choice, and 100% of MAMS students in professional schools have remained in good academic standing. MAMS students have been admitted to medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, and physician assistant schools. MAMS students admitted to professional schools have achieved equivalent or superior class grades and board scores compared to other admitted students. Overall student satisfaction is running 90.8%.