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Applications for the 2024/25 academic year are now open.
The Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (IHS) program targets students who would benefit from enhancing their applications to medical or other health professional schools. Courses are conveniently located in the new state-of-the-art Health Sciences Building on Drexel's Main Campus in Philadelphia. The IHS program also provides an opportunity for students to earn their MS via a remote platform.
Interdisciplinary Health Sciences students:
- Can improve their academic credentials by demonstrating success in graduate-level biomedical coursework with content relevant to their chosen health care profession
- During their second year in the program, students will complete an individualized capstone project customized to meet their research or community service interests
- Engage in meaningful community service and volunteer activities, which can be customized to suit their personal interests and skills
- Receive individual guidance while improving their professional portfolios through building curriculum vitae/resumes, writing personal statements and practicing interview skills
Learn more about the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences curriculum.
Affiliation Agreements
Interdisciplinary Health Sciences students who complete the Medical Sciences Track and meet specific criteria are guaranteed an interview with Drexel University College of Medicine’s MD Program. The IHS Program also has affiliation agreements with Salus University and with Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, wherein students who meet specific GPA and standardized test metrics are offered a guaranteed interview at both schools.
Mentorship Program
The Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Mentorship Program is a student-run program where first-year Interdisciplinary Health Sciences students are paired with second-year Interdisciplinary Health Sciences volunteer mentors based on personal and professional compatibility. The mentor-mentee dynamic facilitates both professional and academic growth where participants learn from their peers.
This program allows for first-year Interdisciplinary Health Sciences students to have a personalized resource for questions and advice regarding course selection, study tips, life at Drexel, medical school applications and more. Second-year mentors are afforded the opportunity to "pay it forward" and give back to the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences community that has continued to support them. Through program meetings and social outings, participants of the MIHS Mentorship Program build collegial relationships to support and guide one another.
Meet Our Faculty
Tameka Jackson-Leung, DHSc, teaches Diversity in Healthcare and serves as a co-instructor for the Community Dimensions of Medicine course. These courses are offered via the Master of Science in Biomedical Studies program, and the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program, within the Division of Pre-medical and Pre-health Programs of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies. Read more.
Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Student News and Profiles
Student Awards
On May 11, 2023, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies presented two IHS students with awards. Grace Sandel received the “Common Good Award for Community Service in the Division of Pre-medical and Pre-health Programs” and Ose Ehigiator received the “Academic Excellence in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences MS Program” award.
Meet Ryan Murphy, Spring 2023 Rising Star
"The IHS students have a great sense of community and work as a team for everyone to succeed. Faculty and professors in IHS are world class and have been such great mentors to me." Read more.
Alumni News
Faith Blamon, IHS ’20, Rutgers ’26 (left) is the current M1 class president and Christopher Wachuku, IHS ’18, Rutgers ’23 (right) is the current M4 class president at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Alum Kaswana Phiri Receives Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship
Kaswana Phiri, MS Interdisciplinary Health Sciences ’20 and Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences class of 2026 was the recipient of a Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship. The fellowship is awarded to an incoming medical student who demonstrates unique circumstances, skills or talents that will enhance the diversity of the medical school's scholarly community, a deep commitment to a spirit of inclusiveness and dedication to working with others to address issues such as overcoming healthcare disparities, outreach to underserved populations and social equity and justice.
Discovery Day - October 27, 2022
Grace Sandel, IHS class of 2022, presented "Co-Infection and Cancer: Host-Pathogen Interaction between Dendritic Cells and HIV-1, HTLV-1, and Other Oncogenic Viruses." Sameika Graham, IHS class of 2022, presented “Impact of Mobile Covid-19 Testing in Communities of Philadelphia.”
"While the coursework has been rigorous to prepare students for medical school, the support and guidance I’ve received from my peers and faculty has been the most invaluable to me in my personal and academic growth. In one year, I have become a better learner, gotten to know my advisors and professors on a level I did not have in my undergraduate years, and received advice unique to my own personal struggles that have helped me succeed in my coursework and exams."
Read more.
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