Admission Requirements
We invite individuals passionate about global healthcare services and equity to apply for the M.D./M.S. in GMS program. Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation and a personal statement. Proficiency in a second language or a demonstrated commitment to advancing in a second language is also required.
Admission to this dual degree program will be highly selective. We focus on admitting students who embody the highest ethical principles and show promise for future contributions to global health services. The personal statement will carry significant weight in the application process, as our goal is to attract motivated students dedicated to global health services and innovative practices in the field.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MD Requirements | 136 | |
| Refer to the link below for more information on the MD Dual/Joint Degree Program requirements. | ||
| https://bulletin.miami.edu/graduate-academic-programs/medicine/md | ||
| MS REQUIREMENTS (30 CREDITS) | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| GMS 600 | (Global Health Ethics (NEW COURSE)) | 1 |
| GMS 601 | (Global Medical Challenges (NEW COURSE)) | 3 |
| GMS 602 | (Important Concepts for Success in Global Service (NEW COURSE)) | 3 |
| GMS 603 | (Interprofessional Healthcare Teams (NEW COURSE)) | 3 |
| SPA 633 | (Medical Communication and Interpretation in Spanish for Health Care Professionals (NEW COURSE)) | 3 |
| Study Abroad Experiential Learning Component | 2 | |
| Students must take at least one of the following: | ||
GMS 605 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Japan (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 606 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Panama (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 607 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Denmark (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 608 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Malaysia (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 609 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Nepal (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 610 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Taiwan (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 611 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Indonesia (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 612 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Thailand (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 613 | (Experiential Learning: Healthcare in Sri Lanka (NEW COURSE)) | |
| GMS Electives | 4-15 | |
| Students must take at least 4 credits from the following: | ||
GMS 614 | (Global Medical Challenges, HIV/AIDS (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 619 | (Global Medical Challenges, Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 621 | (Global Medical Challenges, Mental Health (NEW COURSE)) | |
GMS 622 | (Global Medical Challenges, Maternal & Child Health (NEW COURSE)) | |
| Additional Study Abroad Learning Component Courses | ||
| Other GMS courses with advisor approval | ||
| Other Electives | 0-9 | |
| Students may take up to 9 credits of electives from the following: | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Emerging Challenges in Global Health Systems | ||
| Global Outbreak | ||
| Global Health and Global Justice | ||
Other non-GMS courses with advisor approval | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 166 | |
Sample Plan of Study
MD Curriculum
Phase 1 = preclinical (14 months)
Early August (Year 1) - June (Year 1) → summer break (2 months) → Early August (Year 2) - Mid-September
Transition to core clerkships (2 weeks) → Mid-September to end-September
Phase 2 = core clerkships (12 months)
Early October (Year 2) - Mid September (year 3)
Note: no summer break
Dedicated = Mid-September - December (Year 3)
Phase 3 = Electives/Sub-I’s (18 months)
January (Year 3) - June (Year 4)
Note: ERAS applications due September (Year 4)
Master’s in Global Medical Sciences Curriculum Recommendation:
Phase 1
Summer (between Year 1 and Year 2):
- GMS 600 – global health ethics (1 credit; Coordinator: Keneth Goodman)
- GMS 601 – Global Medical Challenges (3 credits; Elahe Nezami)
- GMS 602 – Important concepts for success in Global service (3 credits; Stephanie Ross)
Phase 2
No courses
Phase 3
Courses can start to be offered as soon as January (Year 3). Recommendation is to offer courses (with in-person and online option) until graduation. Fewer courses (depending on length of time of each course) should be taken prior to ERAS submission so that focus of medical students goes to building strong residency applications. However, once ERAS applications are submitted, recommendation is for students to take more classes, go on trips, and work on research projects through the rest of Year 4.
Travel options & recommendations:
Short trips (2 weeks):
- Phase 3: at any point in phase 3, schedule for medical students is personalized. Many do an elective or sub-internship for a certain number of weeks, and then take other weeks off. Also depends if individual would like to have trip (and associated experiences) included in application, would need to go on trip prior to Sept (year 4)
Long trips (4 weeks):
- Same principle as above, although recommendation may be to go on longer trips after ERAS is sent as Year 4 has a much more relaxed pace compared to Year 3. However, option to take longer trip (especially if associated with a health or research project) should remain open to students.
