One-year master’s program steers biomedical science students toward professional school
Kansas State University’s one-year master's degree program in biomedical science propels those students seeking a path toward advanced studies at a variety of professional schools.
“After reviewing the metrics, we have observed that 96% of our graduates end up being placed in either a DVM, MD, DDS or Ph.D. program,” said Dr. Mike Apley, head of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Advantageously, the program requires only a yearlong commitment for the completion of a master’s degree.
"Often students are unsure of their future plans," says Dr. Chandler Diehl, clinical assistant professor and associate director of the program. “The pre-professional one-year master's program is designed to introduce students to the biomedical field and prepare them for professional school. During the program, students are able to take advanced courses in a wide range of biomedical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, histology and pharmacology."
The other program coordinators include Drs. Matthew Basel, Bruce Schultz and Pradeep Malreddy, who teach courses in the veterinary college.
"The OYM program has prepared me for professional school in the most way by giving me insight to what the veterinary college expects from its students,” said Rebecca Douglas, who graduated from the One Year Master’s Program in 2025. She has been accepted into the class of 2030 in the College of Veterinary Medicine. “This program covers content that is useful in strengthening my baseline knowledge prior to entering veterinary school and will make the transition to the advanced curriculum much smoother. I will forever be thankful for the program and its faculty taking the time to ensure my success as a student."
Jeffrey Hilligoss is another 2025 graduate of the One Year Master’s Program who earned a seat in the veterinary college’s class of 2030. “ I thank the One Year Master’s Program and its professors for preparing me for the rigorous workload of the Veterinary Medicine Program,” he said. “I will be starting in the fall. I feel like I have the advantage from going into the program because of the One Year Master’s Program and I highly recommend this program to everyone interested in veterinary medicine."
Hosted in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, the pre-professional one-year master's program in biomedical science is a non-thesis, coursework-based master's degree designed to be completed in 12 months. Typically, a master's degree program takes about two years to complete. Students can begin the program in May with completion at the end of the following May, or students can begin in August and complete the program the following August. The summer of 2026 cohort starts Tuesday, May 27, and the application deadline is May 1. The fall of 2026 cohort begins Aug. 24 and the application deadline is Aug. 1.
"There are no specific admission requirements for this program, as we would like to serve a wide range of potential students," Dr. Malreddy said. "We do have some suggested guidelines for students that we think will help them be more likely to succeed. We recommend a bachelor's degree in a biomedical science-related field, a minimum 2.8 or higher overall grade point average and at least a 3.0 grade point average in their higher-level science courses or the last 45 hours of bachelor's degree studies."
Culminating experiences include a presentation over some condition or disease followed by a culminating examination, with the expectation that students apply foundational knowledge in the biomedical sciences to their chosen topic.
"We believe the best place to prepare for professional school is at a professional school where students can interact with professors who understand the program," Dr. Diehl said. "Students take courses designed to have the same rigor as any other professional health school and have access to world-class facilities. Students receive an intensive introduction to anatomy and systems and cell physiology, followed by a mix of required and elective courses based on student interest and goals."
For a full description of the program, the admission requirements and application procedures, go to vet.k-state.edu/education/graduate/one-year-masters/admissions.html.
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