Des Moines University’s Master of Science in Anatomy Program provides students with extensive knowledge in the anatomical sciences and the ability to apply, communicate and teach that knowledge.

Excellent faculty and facilities, one-to-one mentorship and a focus on students’ goals and success are big advantages.

closely with classmates and world-class faculty. The program is designed to be completed in 24 months but can be completed on a part-time basis in up to five years. faculty are excellent educators who are committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals. They also have diverse interests and areas of expertise; several have active research endeavors in areas including evolutionary sciences, comparative anatomy and forensics. The relatively small size of the program means you will benefit from the personal attention and professional guidance of these experts. The teaching track is designed to prepare students for entry into medical and allied medical professional programs, careers in academic teaching, or further study in graduate programs, particularly anatomical-education. The thesis track is designed to prepare students for a research-based career in comparative and evolutionary anatomy. The anatomy students at DMU are great ambassadors for the sciences as well as for the University. They serve as teaching assistants for students in other programs. They participate in campus events and volunteer in the community, including at local schools.

Graduation Requirements

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program, offered by the College of Osteopathic Medicine, will prepare you for a variety of career paths. Students who want to work in education gain extensive experience in teaching and presenting.

For students who want to become health care providers, the M.S.A. degree is a plus on applications for professional programs. The program is available as a dual degree for students in DMU’s osteopathic and podiatric medical degree programs. program can improve students’ board exam scores and applications for competitive residencies. We are committed to training competent, passionate professionals.

Our expert faculty make DMU a distinctive place to learn.

Donald Matz, Ph.D. Rachel Dunn, Ph.D. Julie Meachen, Ph.D.

Sarah Werning, Ph.D. “I really credit the M.S.A.

program for showing me what teaching is and can be.

Teaching is where my passion is. The program is a great place to prove to yourself that you can handle a rigorous course load and high expectations.

It helps you figure out where your interests lie and where to use your energy to go down that path.”.

Keely Cassidy, M.S.A.’11, Ph.D., . Cultural competency and humility is part of the personal and professional development that happens at DMU.

Our campus environment is shaped by individuals who bring cultural differences, life experiences and distinct characteristics.

DMU offers opportunities to get involved in experiences outside the classroom.

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all our students.

Besides being a great place to live and work, Des Moines is a vibrant city with communities from all walks of life.

Ethnic grocery stores, restaurants and year-round events ensure that there’s always something for everyone.

Anatomy has long been considered as the basis of all the biomedical sciences (including clinical medicine).

Manifestations of health and disease can be regarded as attributes of anatomical structures ranging in size from individual molecules to whole organs.

Course Details

The Anatomy concentration, within the Master’s Program in Medical Sciences, has been developed to provide a concentrated program of study that is designed for students interested in either future doctoral or professional programs in the biomedical sciences or healthcare and education professions. Graduates of the program will have developed expertise and experience in human gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology, histology, pathology and laboratory medicine and will be able to apply these skills in a variety of educational and healthcare settings.

The rigorous program allows students to demonstrate their full academic ability for future graduate programs or medical school. The anatomy program promotes the broad intellectual focus required of future graduate students in the anatomical sciences or other health-care professions by providing courses that integrate modern teaching methods with extensive student participation that are designed to improve skills which are critical to their future professional development.

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This online, non- thesis Master of Science program is designed to provide online courses in a learning format that address anatomical base knowledge including gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, embryology, and cell biology, and to introduce students to the bases of pedagogy. Furthermore, the program is flexible enough to allow the student to pursue neuroscience, neuroanatomy, and medical physiology courses as electives. The educational path of this MS degree program uniquely blends training in human anatomy with developing pedagogical methods of teaching and assessment. This program will allow students with different goals to pursue additional training beyond their baccalaureate degree. Teachers in secondary education and at community colleges can gain more in-depth knowledge of anatomy and learn best practices in teaching and assessing their students.

Pre-professional students will be able to gain broad training in all aspects of human anatomy that would allow them to master sufficient base knowledge to pursue health-care professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant and physical therapy.

Curriculum

Those students that complete the Master of Science program and wish to pursue biomedical research will have completed many of the course requirements for those PhD anatomical programs in biomedical research as well as our PhD Program in Anatomical Sciences Education. Furthermore, students with an MS degree in Anatomical Sciences will be able to teach/assist in human anatomy and histology laboratory exercises.

• For the MS program, applicants must meet the minimum requirements for the University of Florida Graduate School:. Junior/Senior GPA > 3.0. BA or BS degree and a strong science foundation with at least five full semester courses related to biology, chemistry and/or physics.
• Submit a minimum of three letters of reference, a statement of purpose, and a resume. The admissions committee will use the above to assess the student’s qualifications for admission to the program.
• International students must comply with current UF standards for admission to the Graduate School, including requirements for English language competency and financial responsibility. The online MS program will require 32 post-baccalaureate hours.
• There are required 13 credit hours of core courses in Anatomy and Cell Biology and 6 credit hours of core courses in Education for a total of 19 hours of core courses.
• Up to 15 credits can be transferred from the Anatomical Sciences Education Certificate program with permission. Final Comprehensive Examination .
• While there is no thesis requirement for the MS in Anatomical Sciences Education (ASE) Program, there is a final comprehensive examination in accordance with the policies of the University of Florida Graduate Council and Graduate School.