Department of Biomedical Sciences

Accelerated Master's Degree Option

Majors in cell and molecular biology may be accepted into the Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology program after admission requirements for the accelerated master’s option are met.  Once accepted for early admission, up to 12 credit hours of approved 600 and 700-level coursework may be counted toward both the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science degree programs.  Other required 600-level courses in the master’s program that are taken by the undergraduate student, but not included in the accelerated option, may be waived on the master’s degree program by the student’s graduate advisor if the required courses were taken less than four years previously and the student earned at least a grade of B or better in those courses.  Additional graduate coursework to replace waived courses may be needed to meet the 32 hours degree requirement.  Accelerated option students must enroll in BMS 730 each semester. 

The accelerated option allows cell and molecular biology majors who are interested in biomedical research to complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree in two semesters and a summer rather than the typical four semesters and a summer.  Contact the program director in the Department of Biomedical Sciences for information and guidelines.

Before enrolling in each course to be counted as both undergraduate and graduate credit, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated program and complete a mixed credit form.  Acceptance into the program and all approvals must be completed prior to the end of the Change of Schedule Period for the course(s).  See the Graduate College for further information.

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Option

1. Junior standing and an overall GPA of 3.40 or better
2. Completion of BMS 110, 231, 321; CHM 160, 170, 175, 310 with a GPA of 3.40 or better 
3. Undergraduate laboratory research experience is strongly recommended before applying
4. Applicants must submit:

a.  an official transcript including all undergraduate work

b.  three letters of recommendation, one written by the future graduate advisor formally accepting the student into their research laboratory.

c.  GRE scores

d.  a statement of research interest

 5.  Acceptance of the applicant by the graduate faculty in cell and molecular biology under the accelerated master’s option

Entrance Requirements

Admission to the program requires a strong science and mathematics background identical to that required of a student completing the undergraduate program in cell and molecular biology.  In addition, admission to the program requires evidence that the applicant will be able to successfully complete a rigorous graduate program in the sciences at a high level of performance.  Entrance into the program requires completion of the following.

1. Two semesters of organic chemistry
2. Two semesters of physics
3. A course in calculus
4. A bachelor's degree from a Missouri State University recognized accredited college or university and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, overall, or for the last 60 hours  
5. Applicants must have:

a.  an official transcript including all undergraduate work

b.  three letters of recommendation

c.  GRE scores

d.  a statement of research interest

Applicants will be evaluated for admission based upon their submitted materials.  By the end of the first semester, candidates must be accepted into a research laboratory by a member of the Graduate Faculty who becomes the student's advisor

Degree Requirements

The program requires completion of a minimum of 32 semester hours and includes the following.

1. Core Courses.  This requirement is met by completing:
   BMS 622   Molecular Cell Biology                         4 hrs
   BMS 625   Molecular Biology                                4 hrs
   BMS 658   Recombinant DNA Technology          3 hrs
2. Orientation.  The candidate must enroll in BMS 701, Research in the Biomedical Sciences (3 hrs).
3. Signal Transduction.  The candidate must enroll in BMS 635, Signal Transduction (2 hrs).
4. Statistics.  The candidate must enroll in an approved introductory statistics course at the graduate level if a course in statistics is not a part of their previous academic record.
5. Electives.  Other remedial or elective courses will be selected by the advisor in consultation with the student.  Up to nine hours of appropriate course work, excluding research and thesis, may be selected from outside the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
6. Research.  All candidates (thesis and non-thesis options) must satisfactorily complete a research requirement of at least 3 hours by enrolling in BMS 798.  Thesis option candidates may apply an additional 3 hours of BMS 798 and a maximum of 6 hours of BMS 799 toward the 700-level requirement for the degree.  Non-thesis option candidates may not apply more than 4 hours of BMS 798 and may not apply BMS 799 toward the degree.
7. 700-level courses.  At least 16 hours of course work must be 700 level or above.  A maximum of 6 hours in BMS 798, Research and 6 hours in BMS 799, Thesis may be counted toward the degree. In addition, candidates will be required to enroll every semester in the journal topics course, BMS 730, Current Literature Topics, for a maximum of 4 semesters.
8. Comprehensive Examination.  The candidate must pass a written exam taken in the third semester of graduate study and an oral examination administered by the departmental cell and molecular biology graduate faculty.
9. Students must earn at least a C grade in all courses.  Any grade of less than C will result in the dismissal of the student from the program.

Entrance Requirements

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. A bachelor's degree in an area of life sciences, nursing, or chemistry from an accredited institution in the U.S. or equivalent training in a foreign university
2. Undergraduate work must include inorganic chemistry (4 hrs), organic chemistry (4 hrs), microbiology, human anatomy, human physiology; and genetics (strongly recommended)
3. A minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work.  Emphasis will be placed on science courses
4. Submission of official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken no earlier than five years prior to application with a preferred minimum score of 153 in Verbal Reasoning, 150 in Quantitative Reasoning, and 3.5 in Analytical Writing
5. Current licensure as a registered nurse in the U.S.
6. A minimum of one year experience in an acute care setting is required; preferences may be given to applicants with more experience.  Contact the clinical program director regarding questions about appropriate nursing experience
7. BLS, ACLS, PALS certification are required
8. A personal interview with a screening committee
9. The application deadline for the fall and spring semesters are November 1 and July 1, respectively.  Interviews are scheduled within three months after the application deadline
10. Students admitted into the program will be required to undergo a criminal background check before matriculation
11. Upon acceptance to the program, the student will pay $100.00 to the AANA for an associate membership (American Associate of Nurse Anesthetists) 

Degree Requirements

1. Students accepted into the program but who have not previously completed clinical training through an accredited clinical program in nurse anesthesia are required to complete 66 credit hours, which must be in residence.  Students who have completed clinical training in nurse anesthesia and who have passed the national certification examination for nurse anesthesia (CRNAs) but who have not completed an appropriate master’s degree must complete at least 33 credit hours in residence.
2. Core Course Requirements                         Total   24-25 hrs               

1. Clinical Core                                                  Total   38 hrs 

A clinical component is required.  This requirement may be met either by having passed the national certification examination for nurse anesthesia or by enrolling in the following courses.

1. Research Requirement (total 4 hours).  Each candidate will be assigned to a clinical research project.  The candidate must complete one seminar by enrolling in BMS 797, Non-Thesis Project (2 hrs) and a research involvement by enrolling in BMS 798, Research (2 hrs).  A formal presentation of the project is required.
2. Students who are already a CRNA:  A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) may enter the program and must complete the core course requirements, the research requirements, and electives chosen in consultation with the student’s committee to total at least 33 hours.  CRNA students must provide a clinical transcript from their former anesthesia program.  Students must complete all cases/procedures that allow them to fulfill the minimum clinical requirements currently set forth by the Council on Accreditation.  At least 6 hours of clinical practicum, ANE 735, are required.
3. Additional requirements or limitations.
1. The candidate must maintain a minimum GPA of at least 3.00 each semester for the degree
2. All requirements must be satisfied within eight years
3. Matriculated students must enroll on a full-time basis and progress through the program with their class
4. All course work must be approved by the Program Director or the Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences
5. The candidate must pass oral and written comprehensive examinations
6. No more than 4 hours of C grade is allowed during the program
7. No grade below a C grade will be allowed at any time during the program
8. Candidates who do not achieve the academic standards set forth by the program will be immediately dismissed
9. During the clinical phase, the student will carry liability insurance purchased through the AANA
10. A $2200.00 program fee will be applied per each semester:  Fall, Spring and Summer

Program Accreditation

The Missouri State University Dietetic Internship Certificate Program has been granted Candidacy for Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  ACEND is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians or dietetic technicians.  ACEND exists to serve the public by establishing and enforcing eligibility requirements and accreditation standards that ensure the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs.  Program meeting those standards are accredited by ACEND.

Program Goals

The Dietetic Internship will:

1. prepare graduates to be competent for practice as an entry-level dietitians.
2. prepare graduates with life-long learning skills which will enhance the dietetic profession and demonstrate leadership in the field of dietetics.
3. emphasize and model a commitment to community engagement and prepare graduates who are socially accountable.

Admission Requirements

1. Evidence of meeting the minimum academic requirements from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics by a "Verification Statement" or "Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree" and/or ACEND-approved "Minimum Academic Requirements" within five years of application.
2. Completion of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
3. Cumulative GPA of 3.00 over the last 60 hours of academic work taken.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required taken no earlier than five years prior to application with a preferred minimum score of 150 in Verbal, 141 in Quantitative, and 4 in the Writing Sections.
5. Completed application form.
6. A personal philosophy statement not longer than 1,000 words that addresses the applicant's professional career goals and how the DI program will help accomplish these goals.
7. Students for whom English is a second language must earn a minimum score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (internet-based) within two years prior to application on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  The TOEFL website is http://www.toefl.org.
8. Three written recommendations received with the application must be without significant reservations/concern.
   1. Dietetic academic reference
   2. Work or volunteer reference
   3. Final reference is the applicant’s choice
9. Resume which includes:
   1. Work experience in dietetics, including number of hours of paid and volunteered work
   2. Involvement in college and/or community activities
10. After the application period closes, the selection committee will review all of the applications and select students for an interview.  Personal interview are preferred, but if this is not possible, a phone interview can be arranged.  Interviews will be conducted at the Professional Building on the Missouri State University campus in Springfield, Missouri.
11. Following admission to the Missouri State DI, interns will complete the Graduate College Application for Admission and be enrolled in the graduate college.
12. After formal admission to the University and the program, interns will submit a completed Graduate Certificate Plan of Study.

Upon acceptance to the DI, additional requirements include:

1. Meet technical standards of the program in order to successfully undertake the course of study including evidence of good health.  These standards are available upon request from the program.
2. Evidence of immunization or vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases to include MMR, tetanus, TB test, Hepatitis A, and a complete Hepatitis B series including a titer demonstrating immunity.  Other vaccinations may be required such as a seasonal flu vaccine.
3. Evidence of professional liability and health insurance, including hospitalization.
4. Provide documentation of negative tuberculosis status or evidence of appropriate follow-up.
5. Hold and maintain infant, child and adult CPR certification valid throughout the DI.
6. Hold SenSafe Certification valid throughout the DI.
7. Interns must have reliable transportation and provide evidence of vehicle liability insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the State of Missouri.
8. Student membership in the AND.
9. Interns must enroll on a full-time basis and progress through the program as a cohort group.
10. Submit a drug screening test and criminal record check* and receive response that the applicant has not been convicted of any crime pursuant to Section 324.217 or other disqualifications that would prohibit licensure as a registered dietitian.

*Students who fail these checks or procedures will be subject to further review by the Department of Biomedical Sciences. 

Program Retention and Completion Requirements

1. Interns must satisfactorily complete all assignments and experiences for each internship rotation.  Satisfactory completion will be based on performance appraisal which meets standards identified in appraisal rating criteria.
2. Assignments or experiences which were not satisfactorily completed must be corrected or repeated.  No more than one graduate course may be repeated.
3. Maintain a GPA of 3.00, with no more than 3 semester hours of graduate work below a grade of "B", and no hours of graduate work below a grade of "C".
4. Receive a satisfactory (3) or higher rating in all required competencies as set forth by ACEND.
5. Students must successfully complete all rotations and all course work in order to receive the verification statement and graduate certificate of completion.
6. All work must be completed and competencies met within 150% (13.5 months) of the time planned for completion.

Required Courses