Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences

If you dream of becoming a physician and want to make sure you’re ready to excel in medical school, then the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS) degree may be the perfect fit for you. The 9-month program, a collaboration between VCOM and Bluefield University, is taught on the VCOM campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. (To date, over 70% of MABS graduates have been accepted to VCOM or other U.S.-based medical schools).

You can also earn the degree 100% online with an Online Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (OMABS), without the need to relocate to Blacksburg. Both programs prepare students for entry into medical school and a range of professions in healthcare. If students meet benchmarks in the program, they have a significant advantage for interview and acceptance into the following programs: VCOM D.O. degree, Anesthesiologist Assistant Program, and the Appalachian College of Pharmacy. MABS graduates have been accepted into other medical schools and a variety of healthcare professions.

For any questions about the program, please get in touch with Danielle Denney ddenney@vcom.edu.

MABS to DO Residencies

The MABS program can be an important step on your journey to successfully completing your medical degree. Many recent MABS graduates have gone on to complete the Doctor of Osteopathy degree at one of VCOM’s four campuses and have subsequently been accepted at residencies across the nation. Check out the link below to see a list of where some of our recent graduates have gone for their residencies.

MABS to DO Residencies (PDF)

Admission Requirements

To be accepted to the MABS program, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
GPA that meets the minimum requirements
Relevant coursework in science and English

See full requirements on the Bluefield University website

OMABS Courses

OMABS 2024-2025 courses (PDF)

Applying to the MABS and OMABS Programs

Applications are submitted to Bluefield University, which manages the admission process for the MABS program at VCOM's Virginia campus.

Application Materials

Online application
Official college/university transcripts
2 letters of recommendation

Further details on the Bluefield University website

The application period for MABS opens in September and closes in April with a July start date.

Applications for OMABS start in September.

For the class that begins in January applications close in December.
For the class that begins in July applications close in April.

Apply Now

Need to Improve Credentials for Medical School? Learn More at Our Upcoming Info Sessions.

You’ll hear from MABS and OMABS alumni who are enrolled in medical school. Plus, meet VCOM administrators who can answer your questions.

Virtual Information Session – Reboot!

May 8th @ 12pm EST (11am CST)

Watch the recording from our last virtual information session to hear what students and program staff had to say about the program. Stay on after for a live Q&A session with program admissions staff.

Virtual Information Session

June 4th @ 5pm EST (4pm CST)

Learn more about the program from current masters students, current VCOM students who completed the program, and program administrators during this live information session.