The Meharry MHS Program is a pre-professional career advancement program that provides rigorous biomedical science training, individualized student development, research opportunities, and strategic partnerships to help students successfully transition into healthcare and biomedical careers.
The MHS program is a 30-credit-hour program divided into two semesters. Students must have a 3.0 GPA after the spring semester to receive the MHS diploma.
The Meharry Advantage:
The Master of Health Sciences program focuses on educating students in health sciences. The primary objective of this 10-month master’s degree program is to strengthen the participant’s competitiveness for future career advancement, including preparing students to:
The Master of Health Sciences (MHS) program is designed to strengthen students’ academic preparation for medical, dental, physician assistant, pharmacy, and other health professional programs. Through an intensive, graduate-level curriculum, students develop a comprehensive understanding of the biomedical sciences while building the critical-thinking and reasoning skills necessary for success in professional school.
The MHS Student Learning Objects are as follows:
|
SLO 1
|
To understand key concepts in the basic biomedical sciences including cell and molecular biology and biochemistry
|
|
SLO 2
|
To understand key concepts in the basic biomedical sciences including microbiology and pathology
|
|
SLO 3
|
|
|
SLO 4
|
|
|
SLO 5
|
To answer questions using verbal reasoning, critical thinking and other academic skills
|
Beyond scientific knowledge, the program emphasizes verbal reasoning, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and academic skill development to help students become competitive applicants and successful healthcare professionals.
Students establish a strong foundation in the molecular and cellular basis of health and disease through coursework in:
Students integrate foundational knowledge into systems-based and clinically relevant concepts through coursework in:
Students may enhance their professional school readiness through integrated MCAT or DAT preparation provided by Princeton Review. This optional resource allows students to prepare for admissions examinations while completing their graduate coursework.
Students pursuing medical or dental school are strongly encouraged to complete the MCAT or DAT prior to the start of the spring semester to maximize opportunities for professional school application and admission.
Students have the option to participate in the Winter Research Experience (WiRE) where they can work in faculty-mentored laboratories or virtual research experiences during the winter break between semesters. These experiences provide valuable exposure to biomedical research, strengthen professional school applications, and allow students to develop skills in scientific inquiry, scientific writing, and critical evaluation of research.
We have four partnerships with external institutions. Admission into these programs is not guaranteed and test score requirements are subject to change. Informational sessions will be provided each Fall for up-to-date information.
| Institution | Type of Program | MHS GPA Requirement | Test Score Requirement | Program Information |
| Howard University College of Pharmacy | Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) | 3.5 GPA in both Fall and Spring semesters | · PCAT is no longer administered or required | · All MHS students that apply are guaranteed an interview |
| Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine | Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) | 3.5 GPA in both Fall and Spring semesters | · MCAT score ≥500 | · Accepted students must participate in the transitional program hosted by MSUCOM |
| Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell | Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (MD) | 3.5 GPA in both Fall and Spring semesters | · MCAT score ≥500 on first lifetime attempt or
· MCAT score ≥ 505 on second lifetime attempt |
· Cannot apply to any other institution
· CASPer Exam required |
| The Norton College of Medicine at Upstate Medical University (SUNY Upstate) | Doctor of Allopathic Medicine (MD) | 3.5 GPA in both Fall and Spring semesters | · MCAT score ≥ 504 | · Accepted students must participate in MedSET, a transitional program hosted by Upstate |
$42,848*
*Additional fees may apply
Tultul Nayyar, PhD, MSCI
Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Director, MHS Program
tnayyar@mmc.edu
Brandon Battle, MHS
Instructor, Department of Biomedical Sciences
Assistant Director, MHS Program
bbattle22@mmc.edu
Nicolle Patterson, MS
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Director, Office of Professional Development
npatterson@mmc.edu
Q. What is the start date for the program?
A. Orientation will be held Thursday and Friday July 30th – July 31st, 2026, and classes will start Monday August 3rd, 2026.
Q. What are the outcomes data for MHS into medical or dental school?
The overall acceptance rate for School of Medicine is <1.25% (~115 slots for >8,000 applicants). The MHS acceptance rate for School of Medicine (2015-2023) is 64%. The overall acceptance rate for School of Dentistry is ~5%. The MHS acceptance rate for School of Dentistry (2015-2023) is 81%.
Q. I heard a rumor that MHS will no longer be a linkage program to MMC medical school and dental school, is this true?
A. This is not true. The MHS program coordinates with all other MMC programs. MHS applicants receive an expedited application review by the MMC medical and dental schools. We also have external partnerships that students may take advantage of. Admission into any professional program is not guaranteed through our MHS program.
Q. What resources are provided to MHS students?
MHS students have access to a wide number of resources, including but not limited to the library, which has books and other resources available online, tutoring services through the Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA), mental health services, and student affairs services. Admissions is a resource, providing information regarding MMC admissions. For the School of Graduate Studies, Ms. Nicolle Patterson, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Director of the Office of Professional Development has resources available to you. Dr. Amos Sakwe is the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. Dr. Tultul Nayyar, Director of the MHS Program, and Mr. Brandon Battle, Assistant Director of the MHS Program, are the biggest resources available to you who serve as constant sources of guidance and support. Mr. Battle will be in frequent contact with you, including check-ins to see how everyone is doing. MHS alumni are a strong resource as well. All of the faculty who teach in the MHS program are resources for both health science knowledge and advice.
Q. For MHS students who are accepted to medical or dental school, how do they do in those programs?
A. Our colleagues in SOD and SOM tell us that our MHS students are at the top of the classes for dental and medical school and come into their programs very well prepared to succeed. This is also true for our students that have been accepted into our Physician Assistant program.
Q. Will MCAT/DAT prep time be provided?
A. Yes. The prep course through Princeton Review will be incorporated into the curriculum throughout the entirety of the program should students elect to participate.
Q. Are MCAT/DAT scores required to apply for admission to the MHS Program?
A. No, MCAT/DAT scores are not required. GRE scores are also not required.
Q. For the mid-November to mid-January electives, can we pick the research project we want and are there options for virtual research?
A. The answer to both questions is yes. More details will be provided for you regarding the research options in the Fall.
Q. What is the class schedule?
A. Lectures are synchronously scheduled, with classes generally from 8 am to 12 pm on most days. The Fall classes are completed by mid-November, the elective is from mid-November to mid-January, and the Spring classes are from early January until mid-April. The course schedule is provided to you in July.
Q. Are MMC faculty able to write letters of recommendation for MHS students?
A. Yes, and we do.
Q. How do students interact with faculty and the program director as a virtual program?
A. In addition to the lectures and review sessions that are delivered synchronously, MHS faculty are available for virtual office hours. Students email faculty for individual meetings that are set up in Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facetime, or by phone. For those students who reside in Nashville, meetings can be scheduled to be in person. For urgent matters, Dr. Nayyar and Mr. Battle provide their contact information and you can email or text either of them.
Q. Should I move to Nashville?
A. Residency in Nashville is not a requirement for the MHS program.
Q. Do I have to complete the Life Insurance Beneficiary, Proximity Card forms?
A. Yes. All students must complete the Life Insurance Beneficiary Form. This does not require any action regarding your insurance coverage. The institution carries a policy and must have emergency contact information on file in the case of an emergency for all members of the Meharry community. The Proximity Card form is used to create your campus ID. The ID badge is used for access to all buildings on campus and is recommended by Campus Security if you plan to be on campus for any appreciable amount of time.
Q. Can we waive health insurance if we have it already?
A. Yes. Information on health insurance waivers is communicated by email during the summer. Students receive specific instructions on waiving health insurance.
Q. How do I complete my Background Check?
A. The Background Check is initiated via an email from a third-party agency Meharry retains for this service. You will receive an email from Application Station/Certiphi once you have completed the necessary onboarding steps. You cannot initiate the background check independently as the Office of Admissions and Recruitment processes this information.
Q. How do I get through the portal set-up process?
A. The portal set-up process is initiated once an applicant receives an offer of admission from the School of Graduate Studies and the Office of Admissions & Recruitment. Your student account will be created in Workday for which you will receive a separate email with your Meharry login credentials. All questions about student accounts should be directed to admissions@mmc.edu.
Q. Do I have to resend official transcripts to Meharry if I have already sent them to CAS?
A. Yes, if you are offered admission to a program. The transcripts sent through PostbacCAS are fine for evaluation and review but the Offices of the Registrar and Financial Aid require official transcripts as support for eligibility. The preferred method of transcript delivery is electronic to admissions@mmc.edu, but for those whose institutions do not send electronically, the proper address is:
Meharry Medical College
Office of Admissions & Recruitment
Division of Student Affairs
Cal Turner Family Center for Student Education
1005 Dr. D. B. Todd Jr. Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37208
Q. I have not received my last transcript yet, do I still need to send that to you?
A. Yes, send us your final transcript as soon as you receive it. For the application process, the latest transcript available to you is fine.
