Precision Medicine
To better prepare our students for the rapidly evolving use of genomic data in healthcare fields, Midwestern University offers an online dual degree Master of Science in Precision Medicine, culminating with an applied genomic capstone project.
Online
College College of Graduate Studies
Duration2 year dual degree program
Class Size Approximation15-20
Learn More
Learn more about the requirements and find quick links to relevant catalog content to guide you in your application process.
To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Precision Medicine degree program, applicants must submit the following documented evidence:
- Acceptance to a Midwestern University primary degree program
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate course work as well as graduate course work if any was completed
- A completed Midwestern University application for the Precision Medicine Program
- For current Midwestern University students whose primary degree program has already started, an approval letter will be automatically requested from the Dean of your primary program.
- Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check
Current or admitted Midwestern University students may transfer their MWU healthcare professional application to the Precision Medicine M.S. Program for admissions consideration.
Admissions Decisions
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis after the application opens on November 1st. Students are advised to complete their application files as early as possible, but no later than April 15, to ensure timely consideration.
- The dual degree of Master of Science in Precision Medicine is only directly available when admitted to or concurrently enrolled in the Midwestern primary degree programs listed below.
- All other students, including those not pursuing a concurrent degree at Midwestern, are eligible to apply to the Post-Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine.
- Eligibility to apply to the dual degree Master of Science is based on the primary program/year or the student. (Request for exceptions can be addressed with the program director.)
- Dually enrolled students in the Post-Graduate Certificate students may transfer later to the Master of Science with the Program Director's approval.
Primary Program | Eligible Years |
|---|---|
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) | Newly admitted or current 1st year student |
Dental Medicine | Newly admitted or current 1st year student |
Optometry | Newly admitted or current 1st year student |
Veterinary Medicine | Current 1st year or 2nd year student |
All other programs | Must apply first to the Post-Graduate Certificate. Please use that program dropdown for more information. |
You can apply for the dual degree after you have been accepted to your primary professional program. Additionally, you will be required to submit a personal statement indicating how the Precision Medicine M.S. fits into your professional goals. You will see the instructions for the personal statement while making your application.
The Master of Science in Precision Medicine offered by the Midwestern University College of Graduate Studies (CGS) is a two-year, online, interdisciplinary, professional dual degree program in applied genomic sciences. Students enrolled in this program will expand their knowledge in precision medicine, gain a comprehensive understanding of genomic and other ‘omic technologies, and enhance their future career opportunities.
This unique program:
- Covers a variety of topics including, biomarkers, cancer, pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, and infectious, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases
- Includes emerging ethical and legal topics associated with precision medicine
- Emphasizes associated ‘omics technologies including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics
- Provides healthcare professional students with the practical knowledge needed for incorporating advanced technologies into the prevention, prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disease
- Culminates in the completion of a capstone project that utilizes the applied genomic knowledge gained from the program to complete a genomic analysis
- Features a summer start with most of its coursework during the two summer quarters with lighter coursework during the fall, winter, and spring quarters
- Is designed to integrate well with other primary degree programs at Midwestern University
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The 46-quarter-credit hour Master of Science degree curriculum is designed to dovetail with select Midwestern healthcare professional programs, which allows dual degree students to complete most requirements during the didactic years of their programs. The Master’s degree program includes 28 quarter-credit hours of required and elective coursework in Precision Medicine, including an applied genomic Capstone Project. Students must also complete relevant courses in their primary didactic programs, which upon satisfactory completion, will be applied as credit toward their secondary degree in Precision Medicine. Up to 18 hours of dual credit will be awarded from their primary degree programs for a total of 46 quarter-credit hours.
A typical Precision Medicine curriculum, course credits, and course sequencing can be found in the Midwestern University course catalog. The majority of courses in this M.S. program are completed during two summer quarters, with lighter coursework during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The program begins with courses in basic genetics and genomics and an exploration of monogenic and complex diseases. The “Introduction to Bioinformatics, Statistics, and Data Interpretation” course finishes out the first summer and provides the computational underpinnings for courses in biomarkers, the molecular pathology of cancer, pharmacogenomics, and microbiome/infectious diseases. Courses addressing legal and ethical issues as well as building familiarity with counseling and communications skills help students to place their new knowledge in the complex context of medical care. M.S. students are required to take 4 additional elective courses which allow students to delve more deeply into specific areas of precision medicine according to their interests. The completion of a final capstone project brings together the student’s training in the program and allows them to showcase their proficiency in the practical use of genomic data.
Tuition for this program is paid per enrolled credit hour.
- For the 2024-2025 academic year the tuition is $921/credit hour. Annual tuition increases are generally 3-4% per year.
- There are 28 required credits for the Master of Science in Precision Medicine program. Typically, students are enrolled in 12 credits in the first year and 16 credits in the second year.
What degree programs does Midwestern University offer in Precision Medicine?
Midwestern University offers a dual degree Master of Science with an applied genomics capstone project as well as a Post-Graduate Certificate, which can be completed as either a dual track or a stand-alone program. All programs teach students to understand genetics and genomics data, describe how it is created and applied, and demonstrate basic bioinformatic analytical methods. Students will learn to determine what those data mean in practical terms for a patient’s physical and mental health, and utilize their knowledge to determine how that data can best be used to meet the medical needs of individual patients or populations.
How do I apply to the dual degree/dual track program?
You can apply for the dual degree/dual track after you have been accepted to your primary professional program. Use the DGS Dual Application link, which allows you to transfer your health professions application to the Precision Medicine Program for admissions consideration. Additionally, you will be required to submit a personal statement indicating how the Precision Medicine M.S. (dual degree) or PGCert (dual track) fits into your professional goals. You will see the instructions for the personal statement while making your application.
How do I apply to the stand-alone Post-Graduate Certificate program?
You can apply to the stand-alone Post-Graduate Certificate program by using the Apply button on the Post-Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine page. Please contact the Midwestern University Glendale, AZ Admissions Office if you have questions or have any difficulty applying, call us at 623-572-3215 or 888-247-9277 or email us at admissaz@midwestern.edu.
I am admitted to a professional program on the Downers Grove, IL campus. Can I apply to a Precision Medicine dual degree/dual track program?
Yes. Precision Medicine is a cross-campus program. Current or admitted Midwestern University students on both the Glendale, AZ and Downers Grove, IL campuses may submit their MWU healthcare professional application to the Precision Medicine Program for admissions consideration.
Can all current or admitted MWU students apply for admission to either the dual degree Master of Science or the dual track Post-Graduate Certificate?
No. The Master of Science requires two summer quarters in which the primary program does not have required courses. Therefore, only students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine, and Doctor of Optometry programs are able to apply for the Master of Science degree. Some of these programs (D.O., D.M.D., and O.D.) utilize the summer prior to matriculation as one of the necessary summer quarters. Students in any Midwestern graduate healthcare program can apply for the dual track Post-Graduate Certificate.
Is it possible to transfer between the Master of Science and Post-Graduate Certificate programs?
Yes, it is possible for some students to transfer between the Master of Science and Post-Graduate Certificate and vice versa. Interested dual degree or dual track students should contact the Program Director to discuss transferring between the Master of Science and Post-Graduate Certificate or vice versa. In some cases, it may be possible for a student not eligible to initially apply to the Master of Science to later transfer to the Master of Science from the Post-Graduate Certificate with the approval of the Program Director. It is not currently possible for students accepted to the stand-alone Post-Graduate Certificate to transfer to the Master of Science degree because the Master of Science is currently only offered on a dual degree basis.
What is the application deadline?
The application window opens November 1st and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for the best chance of admission. The deadline for dual degree Master of Science or dual track Post-Graduate Certificate applications is April 15th or the first business day thereafter. The deadline for stand-alone applications to the Post-Graduate Certificate is May 1st or the first business day thereafter.
How many credits are the Precision Medicine degrees?
The Master of Science in Precision Medicine degree consists of 46 quarter-credit hours which includes required core and elective coursework, and an applied genomics capstone project. Up to 18 hours of dual credit will be awarded from the students’ primary degree program.
The Post-Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine is a 22 quarter-credit hour program that includes required core and elective coursework that is very similar to the Master of Science. However, the Post-Graduate Certificate does not require completion of a capstone project and does not include transfer of dual credit courses from the primary program when taken as a dual track.
What does a typical course load look like for a Master of Science (M.S.) student?
Information can be found on the M.S. Precision Medicine Curriculum page.
What does a typical course load look like for a Post-Graduate Certificate (PGCert) student?
Information can be found on the Post-Graduate Certificate Curriculum page.
Do courses in my primary program count toward the Master of Science (M.S.) in Precision Medicine degree?
Yes, the M.S. program requires and is designed to allow the transfer of up to 18 credits of approved courses completed in the primary program. For a list of courses eligible for transfer dual-credit in the M.S. program, review the M.S. Precision Medicine Curriculum page.
Do courses in my primary program count toward the dual track Post-Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Precision Medicine Program?
No, the PGCert program does not require and does not allow for transfer credits from the primary program.
As a dual degree Master of Science (M.S.) student, will I have to take courses during the primary program academic year?
Yes, although the majority of the M.S. coursework is taken during the summer quarters, students should be enrolled in an elective or one required course during other quarters. Review the M.S. Precision Medicine Curriculum page for a sample course sequence.
As a dual track student, will I have to take other Post-Graduate Certificate (PGCert) courses during the primary program academic year?
Yes, students will be enrolled in at least one Precision Medicine course during every quarter. Review the Post-Graduate Certificate Curriculum page for a sample course sequence.
Will I be assigned an advisor?
Students in each cohort will be assigned a faculty advisor to assist them with academic concerns, program completion, and the capstone project (for M.S. students). In addition to the faculty advisor, the Program Director, Associate Program Director, College of Graduate Studies Dean, Associate Dean, and the Dean of Students are also available to assist students. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate contact with the faculty advisor for assistance.
What is the capstone project completed by M.S. students?
The capstone project provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate competence in basic genome analysis and assessment of genetic risk alleles. Students will make a health-focused assessment of an anonymized human genome and identify gene variants associated directly with genetic diseases or with increased risk for diseases, and then evaluate the consequences of those gene variants. The capstone project culminates in a written clinical genetic report of the findings and a formal presentation of the findings to Precision Medicine Program faculty and students.
I have specific questions about the cost of attending with the dual degree/dual track options, where can I find more information?
The Office of Student Financial Services can advise on cost of attendance, financial aid options, and other questions related to attendance. Visit the Paying for College pages for Office of Student Financial Services contact information and other details.
Are students in the Precision Medicine Program eligible for Federal Financial Aid?
Yes, dual degree and dual track students in the program are eligible for Federal Financial Aid as long as they are taking a minimum of 6 credit hours in a quarter (courses in the primary program of study can count for some of the required credit hours). Students in the stand-alone Post-Graduate Certificate program may not be eligible for Federal Financial Aid, as they will only be enrolled in 2-3 credit hours per quarter. These students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss other options for covering tuition costs.
Where can I find resources and required textbooks?
The Midwestern University Library offers a variety of resources for students including many e-books on the Precision Medicine Library Page. Desk copies of some required textbooks may be available in the reserved section of the libraries on both the Downers Grove, IL and Glendale, AZ campuses. Many of the required textbooks are also available at the library as e-books. Some allow for unlimited users while others are limited to one user at a time. See the Midwestern library website for further details. Course syllabi will indicate if there are required textbooks for a course. Not all courses will have required texts.
What are the computer requirements for the online Master of Science and Post-Graduate Certificate Programs?
Students enrolled in online courses are expected to have consistent access to an updated computer that is connected to reliable internet, installed with a word processing and a presentation program (e.g., Microsoft Office, Mac Pages/Keynote), and equipped with a microphone, speakers, and webcam.
Will I need to purchase my own genomic analysis software?
No. The university will provide access to analysis software and servers that will enable students to perform all of the required data processing and other analysis.
The national Precision Medicine Initiative was launched in January 2015. The goal of this initiative is to “pioneer a new model of patient-powered research that promises to accelerate biomedical discoveries and provide clinicians with new tools, knowledge, and therapies to select which treatments will work best for which patients”. Precision medicine enables practitioners to deliver the best possible clinical care by leveraging research and technology. This initiative directs substantial funding to three critical agencies:
- Funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is provided to establish the creation of a voluntary national research cohort through the NIH’s All of Us Research Program, which seeks to create a diverse database to provide more accurate information on a wide variety of health conditions and enable patients to receive the care that is most appropriate for them as an individual.
- A portion of the NIH funding is specifically directed to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and is intended to increase efforts to identify the genomic drivers of cancer and to develop more effective treatment approaches.
- Funding to the FDA provides for the acquisition of appropriate expertise and curated databases to support the regulatory infrastructure needed to advance findings into the clinic in support of public health.
At the heart of the Precision Medicine Initiative is the direction to develop policies that empower patients, researchers, and providers to work together toward development of individualized care. Midwestern University has created the Precision Medicine Program to train students in the fundamentals of this rapidly growing field so that they may best utilize new knowledge to provide their patients with the highest possible level of care.
A Master of Science in Precision Medicine degree can offer many career opportunities, either independently or in conjunction with another healthcare professional degree. Addition of this training on top of a primary healthcare degree may increase a student’s competitiveness for desired residencies or positions.
- Precision/Genomic Medicine Clinician (when coupled with a healthcare degree)
- Precision/Genomic Medicine Pharmacist (when coupled with a pharmacy degree)
- Precision/Genomic Medicine Veterinarian (when coupled with veterinary medicine degree)
- Precision/Genomic Medicine Dentist (when coupled with dental medicine degree)
- Genomics or Biomedical Researcher
- Computational Genomics and Data Scientists (Bioinformatics)
- Genetics/Ethics Lawyer (when coupled with a law degree)
- Government Employment Opportunities (ex: NIH Human Genome Research Institute)
- Medical and Diagnostic Research Laboratories
The State of Arizona Board of Private Postsecondary Education has approved all current degree and certificate programs at Midwestern University, Glendale - Arizona Campus. All degrees and certificates are conferred under the authority granted by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and The Higher Learning Commission, A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1413; 312-263-0456.
No matter your specialty, adding a Master of Science in Precision Medicine can help you diversify your resume, especially if you're interested in genomic technology. See the benefits of adding a Precision Medicine dual degree to your education.
Academic Course Catalog
Explore details regarding Precision Medicine (subject to change).
Hear Our Stories
Donna Mehdiyar, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Precision Medicine, Class of 2026
"I feel I would not become the same physician that I would be had I gone anywhere else."
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