Master of Science in Health Sciences
The Master of Health Science program at Montana State provides students with an opportunity to diversify or further solidify their educational foundation through graduate education that can be applied to any of several career paths in the healthcare field. The program supports the educational endeavors of Montana State graduates, post baccalaureate pre-medical certificate students, and non-certificate students who attend MSU to better prepare for entry into health care-related professional schools. In addition to applying to various graduate programs in the healthcare field, some students choose to pursue a Ph.D. following the program.
For those students applying or reapplying to health professional school, the MS in Health Sciences can be completed during the application 'glide' or "gap" year.
How to Apply
Each application will need the following:
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Transcripts: From all universities and colleges attended are required. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the online application. Official transcripts must be provided upon admission.
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Two letters of recommendation. Letters are managed solely via the online application. Letter writers will upload their letters to the application system once you have entered your recommenders' contact information (letters should not be mailed or emailed directly to the department).
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Specify your track of interest on the drop-down menu within the application portal.
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Statement of health care interest. Your statement should outline your interests, goals, and reasons for applying to the masters.
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To be eligible to enter directly into the one-year MS in Health Sciences program, students should have a substantial foundation in the basic sciences including 1 year of introductory biology, 1 year of introductory physics, 1 year of general chemistry, 1 year of organic chemistry, and 1 semester of statistics. A year of math, to include one semester of statistics, is also required.
NOTE: Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring terms:
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Fall: Applications due by August 1 prior to the fall term you are applying to.
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Spring: Applications due by December 15 prior to the spring term you are applying to.
Program Specifics
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Minimum: 9 credits from selected emphasis, 24 course credits, 3 scholarly project credits 575, w/presentation (HMED, MB, or CHTH); 30 credits total.
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Maximum: 9 credits from 400 level, 9 credits from transfer (UM, MSU-B), 6 credits of 575 (HMED, MB, or CHTH).
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Special courses: 491, 492, 588 and 589 credits do not apply. No limit for 595 credits. 592, 594, and 598 credits cannot constitute more than 1/3 of total credits. HMED 540 Clinical Practicum, HMED or CHTH 575 Scholarly project, and HMED 594 Journal Club apply to each Emphasis.
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Course listing serves as an example of potential opportunities. Access to any given course will depend on availability and completion of appropriate pre-requisites.
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With limited course exceptions, this program is offered fully in person and intended (but not required) to be completed in two semesters or one year.
Molecular Medicine
| BCH 441 | Biochemistry of Macromolecules | 3 |
| BCH 442 | Metabolic Regulation | 3 |
| BCH 444R | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Methods | 3 |
| BCH 524 | Mass Spectrometry | 3 |
| BCH 543 | Proteins | 3 |
| BIOB 410 | Immunology | 3 |
| BIOB 425 | Adv Cell & Molecular Biology | 3 |
| or BIOB 525 | Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology | |
| BIOB 524 | Ethical Practice of Science | 3 |
| BIOH 405 | Hematology | 3 |
| BIOH 422 | Genes and Cancer | 3 |
| BIOH 511 | Advanced Human Appendicular Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOH 445 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3 |
| BIOH 465R | Gene Expression Lab: From Genes to Proteins to Cells | 3 |
| or BIOH 565 | Gene Expression Lab: From Genes to Proteins to Cells | |
| NEUR 425 | Sensory Neurophysiology | 3 |
| NEUR 435 | Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| NEUR 455 | Molecular Medicine | 3 |
| BIOM 400 | Medical Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOM 425 | Toxicology: Science of Poisons | 3 |
| or MB 527 | Toxicology | |
| BIOM 431 | Medical Bacteriology | 3 |
| BIOM 441 | Eukaryotic Pathogens | 4 |
| BIOO 412 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| EMEC 424 | Cellular Mechanotransduction | 3 |
| HSTR 417 | Early Modern Science | 3 |
| HSTR 419 | Modern Science | 3 |
| IMID 501 | Exper Immunology/Pathology | 3 |
| IMID 505 | Gene Regulation in Human Development, Disease, and Immunity | 3 |
| MB 505 | Host-Associated Microbiomes | 4 |
| MB 520 | Microbial Physiology | 3 |
| MB 525 | Advanced Immunology | 3 |
| MB 528 | Advanced Microbial Genetics | 3 |
| MB 530 | Virology | 3 |
| BIOH 509 | Advanced Human Torso Anatomy | 4 |
| HMED 575 | Professional Paper and Project | 1-6 |
| HMED 540 | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| HMED 594 | Seminar | 1 |
Community Health
Core Focus: Provides a foundation for understanding community health with a focus on advancing public health and promoting the well-being of communities related to health care administration, education, non-profit, government or other community health organizations and settings.
Required courses
| HMED 540 | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| HMED 575 | Professional Paper and Project | 1-6 |
Electives
| AC 502 | Psychopharmacology and Addictions | 3 |
| AC 504 | Alcohol and Drug Studies | 3 |
| CHTH 405 | Caregiving & Aging Families | 3 |
| CHTH 430 | Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| CHTH 502 | Theories and Models in Health | 3 |
| HADM 445 | Managing Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HTH 455 | The Ethic of Care | 3 |
| HMED 594 | Seminar | 1 |
Health and Medicine track
Core Focus: Emphasizes anatomy, nutrition, and psychology to provide students a better understanding in preventive medicine for their professional journey in either professional health schools, advanced graduate study, or employment.
Required courses
| HMED 540 | Clinical Practicum | 1 |
| HMED 575 | Professional Paper and Project | 1-6 |
One course from one of the discipline areas – 3cr-4cr
Anatomy/Cell Biology
| BIOH 509 | Advanced Human Torso Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOH 511 | Advanced Human Appendicular Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOH 454 | Microanatomy (Histology) | 3 |
| BIOB 525 | Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology | 3 |
Nutrition/Metabolism
| NUTR 421 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 422 | Micronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 526 | Nutrition for Fitness/Performance | 3 |
Psychology/Wellbeing
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| PSYX 477 | Science of Psych Well-Being | 3 |
Electives Choose 19-23 credits
| HMED 594 | Seminar | 1 |
| BIOB 420 | Evolution | 3 |
| BIOB 525 | Adv. Cell & Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOH 509 | Advanced Human Torso Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOH 511 | Advanced Human Appendicular Anatomy | 0-4 |
| BIOH 454 | Microanatomy (Histology) | 3 |
| BIOO 412 | Animal Physiology | 3 |
| CHTH 430 | Mental Health & Social Issues in Aging | 3 |
| CHTH 435 | Human Response To Stress | 3 |
| CHTH 440 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 |
| KIN 506 | Exercise and Chronic Disease | 3 |
| KIN 515 | Exercise Performance and Nutrition | 3 |
| KIN 545 | Graduate Exercise Physiology | 3 |
| NEUR 440 | Neuroscience of Mental Illness | 3 |
| NRSG 602 | Adv Physio/Pathophysiology | 4 |
| NRSG 603 | Advanced Pharmacology I | 2 |
| NRSG 610 | Health Care Informatics | 3 |
| NUTR 411 | Nutrition for Sports and Exercise | 4 |
| NUTR 421 | Macronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 422 | Micronutrient Metabolism | 3 |
| NUTR 511 | Exercise Metabolism and Health | 3 |
| NUTR 526 | Nutrition for Fitness/Performance | 3 |
| PSYX 463 | Social Cognition | 3 |
| PSYX 477 | Science of Psych Well-Being | 3 |
| PSYX 541 | Cognitive Processes | 3 |
| PSYX 544 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYX 546 | Social Cognition | 3 |
Students interested in pursuing a career in post-secondary education may apply 12 credits the College Teaching Certificate toward their program.
Substitutions with consultation and approval of program chair