Biomedicine and Law MS

Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 36.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.9999
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1020; 23-2000

About the Program

The online Master of Science in Biomedicine and Law provides comprehensive training in technical and practical aspects of science and innovation as well as in the legal aspects related to new biomedical product development, entrepreneurship and regulatory compliance. This program is geared toward individuals interested in careers focused on technology development.

Graduates will be prepared to progress into more advanced graduate studies in science and/or careers in scientifically oriented management jobs in the public or private sector (e.g., technology commercialization offices, patent agencies). These individuals will also be competitive law school applicants if they chose to continue their professional studies — even though credits for their legal coursework in this program will not be transferable for law school credits.

Curriculum

This is an interdisciplinary online program offered by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies within the College of Medicine. The science courses, which are offered online, are taught by faculty from Drexel University College of Medicine. Faculty from Drexel University's Kline School of Law teach the law courses.

• Non-thesis program (36.0 semester credits needed to graduate)
• Required and elective courses in each discipline
• Flexible internship elective (experiential learning)
• Customizable plan of study

Format

• Online (select courses in both disciplines are offered face to face on campus)
• New students admitted each fall and spring semesters
• Classes taught throughout the year (fall, spring and summer)
• Accelerated: one-year MS (full-time) or 1.5 years (part-time)

Full-Time and Part-Time Options

Students may meet the degree requirements on either a full-time (at least 9.0 credits per semester) or part-time basis. Full-time students generally complete the program in one year. Part-time students must complete the program within four years. Students must enroll in at least 4.5 semester credits of College of Medicine courses to qualify for financial aid. For information regarding financial aid, please visit Drexel Central. 

Additional Information

For questions about the curriculum and program goals, please email Program Director Sujata Bhatia, MD, PhD, at skb322@drexel.edu.

For questions about how to apply to the program, please contact an enrollment counselor at duonline@drexel.edu.

Admission Requirements

New students are admitted every fall and spring semester.

Post-college applicants must have completed a four-year degree program. An undergraduate degree in science is preferred but not required. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is strongly preferred.

Applicants must also submit the following requirements for consideration:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Essay/personal statement
• Resume
• References from at least three instructors or professionals.

Official test scores from graduate admission exams, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), are optional but highly desirable.

Three letters of recommendation are required. If you received your degree within the last five years, it is strongly recommended that at least one letter of recommendation be provided by someone familiar with your academic qualifications and potential (e.g., your undergraduate advisor, a course instructor or your research mentor). If you are requesting a letter from someone at your place of employment, the recommendation should be provided by a supervisor (or another more senior manager) with direct knowledge of your work and should address your scientific aptitude as well as your work ethic.

International applicants (non-United States citizens) must meet the same requirements for admission as students from the United States. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate the ability to speak, write and understand the English language by submitting an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). IELTS scores may be submitted in lieu of TOEFL scores. An evaluation by World Education Services (WES) is required for transcripts from institutions outside the United States. 

• TOEFL score needs to be at least 90 with at least a 27 in both the reading and writing sections
• IELTS score needs to be above 7

Online applications are accepted year-round for consideration for either fall or spring admission. Students may defer admission by one year. All admission decisions are made at the College of Medicine.

Additional Information

For questions about the curriculum and program goals, please contact Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

For information regarding financial aid, please visit Drexel Central. 

For questions about how to apply to the program, please contact an enrollment counselor at duonline@drexel.edu.

Degree Requirements

There are several ways to customize the experiential learning component (2.0-6.0 semester credits) so that it satisfies both the degree requirements and, especially, the student’s own personal situation. The duration of the internship may vary. Shorter rotations may require that the student enroll in elective courses to meet the semester credit requirements for degree. 

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Substitutions: MIIM 515S and MIIM 516S OR MIIM 530S OR MIIM 531S

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Substitutions: MIIM 535S and MIIM 536S

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Science and law courses with the LAW prefix are offered on a semester basis, and law courses with the LSTU prefix are offered on a quarter basis. Semesters and quarters overlap, and 3.0 quarter credits = 2.0 semester and 4.0 quarter credits = 2.6 semester credits. This program requires a minimum of 36.0 semester credits to meet the degree requirements. If a minor is added to the curriculum, the required number of credits to complete the program is 42.0 semester credits.

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Additional Information

For more information, please email Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

Sample Plans of Study

These are samples of customizable plans of study. Variations may occur depending on course availability and each student's interest. Science courses are offered on a semester basis; some Law courses (LSTU) are offered on a quarter basis. Semesters and quarters overlap. Credits shown for LSTU courses are quarter credits (3.0 quarter credits = 2.0 semester credits). This program requires a minimum of 36.0 semester credits to meet the degree requirements. If a minor is added to the curriculum, the required number of credits to complete the program is 42.0 semester credits.

Students must enroll in at least 4.5 semester credits to qualify for financial aid.

Full-time, Fall Start

Full-time, Spring Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Full-time, Summer Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Part-time, Fall Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Part-time, Spring Start

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Part-time, Summer Start 

To qualify for financial aid, each semester students must enroll in ≥4.5 semester credits per term.

Additional Information

To learn more about part-time options, please contact Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

Program Goals

Upon completion of the degree requirements for this MS program, students will have developed:

• A broad core knowledge in biological sciences and legal aspects of biomedical innovation
• More in-depth analytical, research and critical thinking skills
• An advanced understanding of professional ethics
• Graduate-level communication and leadership skills
• Other "work readiness" soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, knowledge of career opportunities and networking

Drexel Student Learning Priorities (DSLPs)

In the course of meeting these program-level goals, students will have also made progress in all of Drexel’s Student Learning Priorities (DSLPs) to help them build their future:

Core Intellectual and Practical Skills:

• Communication
• Creative and critical thinking
• Ethical reasoning
• Information literacy
• Self-directed learning

Experiential and Applied Learning: 

• Global competence
• Leadership
• Professional practice
• Research, scholarship, and creative expression
• Responsible citizenship

Additional Information

For questions about the curriculum and program goals, please email Program Director Dr. Sujata Bhatia at skb322@drexel.edu.

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to: