Biomedical Sciences (MABS)

Our program has direct linkage to the second largest medical school in the U.S.!

The Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS) degree is offered in collaboration between Bluefield University and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). Through performance benchmarks, a student can earn a seat in the D.O. program at one of the four VCOM campuses.

The MABS degree is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate that they can perform well in an academic curriculum that mirrors medical school programs and thus enhance their GPA to be more attractive to admissions committees. In other words, by mimicking a medical school-like curriculum, highly motivated students can prove that they are academically ready for the rigors of medical school. The majority of MABS faculty also teach similar courses in the VCOM D.O. curriculum.

The degree is offered in two formats, one with in-person instruction and one entirely online, with both having benchmarks that can lead to a seat in medical school at VCOM. The in-person format (MABS program) is only offered on the VCOM-Virginia campus, with benchmark obtaining students being equally distributed among the four VCOM campuses. The online program (OMABS program) offers the same academic degree in an asynchronous format using AI-monitored software for testing purposes such that students can complete the program without the need to relocate to Virginia.

Most importantly, both programs contain performance benchmarks that can provide a significant advantage for students to earn acceptance into the VCOM D.O. program.

Please note: The MABS application cycle is now open.

Application Deadlines:

Online: June 1st, 2026
On-Campus: June 30th, 2026

For more information, please email the Admissions Coordinator.

Admission RequirementsBenchmarks & Acceptance to VCOMTechnical StandardsAccepted Student InformationFAQs