Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS-Online)

• Admission Requirements
• General Requirements
• Curriculum

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Program Description

The Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS-Online) is an integrated, multidisciplinary interdepartmental program in the basic medical sciences that is designed to provide trainees with a broad-based one-year core curriculum followed by a comprehensive examination leading to the Master’s (MS) degree. Classes are conducted online using a combination of asynchronous selfdirected learning and synchronous Zoom class sessions. PHSU is committed to the development of independent, competitive, and well-trained professionals with strong interpersonal communication skills. The major goals of the MS Program in Medical Sciences are to further develop students who have the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue competitive research and academic careers.

The program is limited to graduates holding a bachelor’s degree and may be used to:

• Supplement an undergraduate record with an enhanced science preparation in order to become eligible for admission to any of the health field professions.
• Enhance the student’s possibilities of being accepted into the Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) Medical Education (MD) Program by demonstrating added competence in the required sciences.

Program Goal

The major goal of the MSMS is to further develop students who have the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue competitive research and academic careers.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree. The courses required for admission are as follows (to be included in the bachelor’s degree):

COURSE TITLE	CREDITS
General Biology I & II with labs	8
General Chemistry I& II with labs	8
Organic Chemistry I & II with labs	8
Physics I & II with labs	8
Mathematics	6
Behavioral & Social Sciences	6
English	3

• In addition to the above requirements, we strongly recommend course work in Cell Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Liberal Arts, and/or Humanities.
• Minimum GPA of 2.7 on a four-point scale is required for applying.
• Minimum Science GPA of 2.7 on a four-point scale is required for applying.
• The completion of a graduate degree in science or health allied field may be used to substitute the GPA and science GPA of the bachelor’s degree.
• MCAT score or equivalent.
• Transfer credits from other institutions will not be accepted as replacements for required coursework.

General Requirements

Time Frame for Completion of the Academic Program

A student of Master of Science in Medical Sciences will be allowed a maximum time frame of two semesters of enrollment beyond the standard required for the completion of the program. Summer enrollment is considered part of the academic year for the purpose of this measure.

1. Definition of Full-Time
   Students with an academic load of six credits or more per semester will be considered Full-Time Masters students.
2. Definition of Half-Time
   Students with an academic load of three to five credits per semester will be considered Half-Time Masters students.
3. Definition of Part-Time or Less than Half-Time
   Students with an academic load less than three credits per semester will be considered Part-Time Masters students or Less Than Half-Time students.

Graduation Requirements

Master’s students must register for, and pass a comprehensive qualifying examination based on the required course work. To be eligible for the comprehensive exam a student must have achieved a minimum 3.00 GPA for 34 credits with no more than 6 credits of C grades and no F grades. Courses with F grades must be repeated and replaced with grades of B or better. Graduates will be awarded a degree in MSMS.

Grading System

The grading system for MSMS is as follows:

LETTER	GRADE
A	100% - 87%
B	86% - 77%
C	76% - 67%
F	Failed (below 67%)
E	Extended
I	Incomplete
IP	In Progress
P	Pass
NP	Not Pass
W	Withdrawal
AW	Administrative Withdrawal

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy has been established to ensure that students of Master of Science in Medical Sciences complete the academic program within the acceptable time frame and the minimally accepted quality of performance. Satisfactory Academic Progress is required for financial aid eligibility.

1. A grade of “F” in any course or student with less than 3.00 point GPA will be referred to the Student Promotions Committee (SPC).
2. A grade of “F” in any of the courses or a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 is not allowed. Any F grade must be repeated. No more than 2 failures are allowed in the Masters Program.
3. A student repeating a course or with a GPA less than 3.00 is considered in academic probation.
4. If the student fails to obtain a 3.00-point GPA or better after repeating course(s), he/she will be considered for dismissal from the academic program.
5. Courses with “F” grades will remain on record after they are successfully repeated, but the new grade(s) will be used to compute the grade point average.
6. Grade of “P” (Pass) or “NP” (No Pass) is applicable to the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination. A grade of “NP” requires repetition. The maximum time allowed to take this examination is three attempts. In case of a third “NP” grade, the student will be considered for dismissal from the academic program.
7. An “I” (Incomplete) grade will only be allowed under very special circumstances as determined by the faculty member. The student must remove the “I” (Incomplete) by the end of the following semester or an administrative “F” will replace it.
8. A student with less than 3.00 points GPA or has No-Pass grade in the CQX is not in satisfactory academic progress and is considered in academic probation.
9. If the dismissal decision is reversed by due process, the student will not be considered in SAP and will be placed on academic probation for one semester.

Time Frame for Completion of the Academic Program

A MSMS Online student will be allowed a maximum time frame of 2.5 years or 8 trimesters (15 weeks) of enrollment beyond the standard required for the completion of the program. Summer enrollment is considered part of the academic year for the purpose of this measure.

PROGRAM	STANDARD	MAXIMUM
Master of Sciences in Medical Sciences - Online	1.67 year	2.5 years

Completion of Program Requirements

5. Course Requirement
   1. Students must complete all courses within the established time frame. The Program requires a minimum of 42 credits for graduation.
6. Performance Requirements
   1. A student must maintain a minimum 3.00-point GPA on a scale of 4.00-point GPA by the end of the year. Any student failing to meet the 3.00-point GPA standard of performance or failing any course will be referred to the Student Promotion Committee.
7. Comprehensive Qualifying Examination Requirement (CQX)
   1. A Comprehensive Qualifying Examination must be taken at the end of the academic year. The maximum time allowed to take this examination is three attempts within one year according to the program time frame. A passing score for CQX is required for graduation.
8. Professional Behavior Requirement
   1. The students must conduct themselves in accordance with the norms for professional conduct set forth by Ponce Health Sciences University and the corresponding accreditation agencies.

Grade Requirement

In order to graduate, the student should complete all requirements and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.00 point on a scale of 4.00 point by the end of the year or within the maximum time frame and pass the CQX.

Students must complete the program within the maximum time frame allowed. SAP is measured at the end of each payment period. At that time the student must have successfully completed 67% of the courses attempted and have a GPA of 3.00 or greater. If at the end of the payment period, the student has not successfully completed 67% of courses or maintained a GPA of 3.00 the student has not met SAP and will be placed on Financial Aid Warning.

The student will be notified that they are on Financial Aid Warning and must meet SAP standards at the end of the next period. The student may continue to receive Financial Aid while on Financial Aid Warning.

If the student fails to meet SAP at the end of the Financial Aid Warning period, the student is no longer eligible for Financial Aid; however, the student may appeal that decision. (see details of the appeal process below).

An appeal must be made in writing and based on either a death in the family, an injury to the student, or other special circumstances. If the appeal is granted, the student may continue for one payment period and receive Title IV aid.

The student is then placed on probation and must regain SAP at the end of that payment period. If the student does not regain SAP, the student loses eligibility for Financial Aid and cannot appeal again.

Alternately, if a student loses Financial Aid for failure to maintain SAP, and an appeal is granted, the Academic Dean may work out an Academic Plan with the student, and the student must follow the plan to maintain SAP. The Academic Plan can extend beyond the maximum time frame as long as the student is following the plan.

An incomplete grade will only be allowed under very special circumstances as determined by the faculty member. The student must remove the “I” (Incomplete) by the end of the following semester or an administrative F will replace it.

If a student withdraws during the add/drop period, the withdrawal is not counted in credits attempted. If the withdrawal occurs after the add/drop period, the W will count as credits attempted.

Any F grade must be repeated and will be referred to the Student Promotion Committee (SPC). Courses with F grades will remain on the student’s record after they have successfully repeated to course, but the new grade will be used in the calculation of the GPA.

Transfer credits from other schools count as both credits attempted and credits completed.

• No more than 2 failures are allowed in the MSMS Program.
• A student repeating a course or with a GPA less than 3.00 is considered on academic probation.
• If the student fails to obtain a 3.00-point GPA or better after repeating course(s), he/she will be considered for dismissal from the academic program.
• Grade of “P” (Pass) or “NP” (No Pass) is applicable to the Comprehensive Qualifying Examination. A grade of “NP” requires repetition. The maximum time allowed to take this examination is three attempts. In the case of a third “NP” grade, the student will be considered for dismissal from the academic program.

Professional Behavior Requirement

Students should conduct themselves in accordance with the norms for professional conduct set forth by PHSU. In case of unacceptable professional behavior, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will refer the case to the Promotions Committee. If the recommendation of the Student Promotion Committee (“SPC”) is to dismiss the student, the student has the right to follow the appeal process.

Appeal Process

In the case of an adverse decision made by the Committee for failing to meet SAP requirements, or for non-academic reasons, such as unacceptable professional behavior the process below will be followed.

The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will refer the case to the SPC. If the recommendation of the SPC is to dismiss the student, the appeal process below may be activated.

The student will request reconsideration in writing to the SPC and include all relevant documentation to support the request. The Committee will evaluate the reasons and evidence submitted to determine if they change their initial decision. The SPC has 48 hours to submit its decision to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs who will notify the decision to the student.

If the SPC sustains the adverse decision, the student has the right to appeal to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The appeal must be submitted in writing within seven working days after receiving the notification. The Associate Dean will evaluate the appeal and the student’s academic record. The Associate Dean can appoint a three-member Ad-Hoc Committee to re-evaluate all evidence. Rejection of the appeal by the Associate Dean is final.

If an Ad-Hoc Committee is appointed, they will notify the student in writing of the date and the time when the appeal will be evaluated. The Ad-Hoc Committee has forty-eight (48) hours to submit a recommendation to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The Associate Dean will consider the Ad-Hoc Committee recommendation and make the final decision within forty-eight (48) hours.

Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial Aid eligibility is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. The student is responsible for requesting the reinstatement of aid.

Enforcement

The Office of Enrollment Management and Student Success shall have primary responsibility for overseeing this policy and will provide all medical students a copy of this document upon admission to Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine.

The Campus Director, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success, as well as the Dean of Medicine, MSMS Coordinator, Registrar, and Financial Aid Director will receive all pertinent data to ensure proper enforcement of the policy here set forth.