Biomedical Sciences (MABS) Program Overview

The 9-month Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS) program is offered in partnership with the Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). It is taught on the VCOM Virginia campus, in Blacksburg. MABS students gain valuable knowledge and clinical experience to prepare for medical school and professional healthcare programs. Meeting the benchmarks in the MABS program can provide a significant advantage for acceptance into the VCOM D.O. program on one of the four VCOM campuses. The MABS program can also eliminate the lag or glide year that is mandatory in most other programs.

The online Biomedical Sciences degree (often referred to as OMABS) presents the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences 100% online, in an asynchronous format. The format and AI-monitored virtual testing will allow students to earn their master’s degree without the need to relocate to Blacksburg, VA. Just like the MABS program, OMABS will mimic a medical school curriculum and allow students to prove that they are academically ready for the rigors of medical school. While the degree is the same whether you decide to pursue your degree on-campus or online, there exist some differences beyond the classroom formats. You can learn more about the differences by reviewing our benchmarks.

Prepare for a Healthcare Career on Campus or Online

Our MABS program curriculum mirrors medical school by emphasizing biomedical coursework, research experience, field study, and seminars in professional development. Students spend 40+ hours interacting with rural Appalachian populations with limited access to basic health care due to location, poverty, and other systemic factors. Students teach children and adults about public health and/or participate in free clinics.

Courses within the program are taught by faculty who also teach in the VCOM D.O. program. “Faculty in this program love teaching because they play an instrumental role in shaping the lives and molding the philosophy of future physicians and scientists,” says Dr. Emily Lambert, Dean of Sciences.

The reasonable cost of tuition, no MCAT requirement, and opportunities offered by meeting the benchmarks make the BU Biomedical Sciences program the smart choice. Pursue your dream by emailing the MABS admissions office to learn how you can be among the 130 students in our program.

Please note: The MABS application cycle will open on August 12, 2023. The application deadline for this cycle is June 20, 2024. For more information, please email the Admissions Coordinator.

The Academic Catalog is the student guide to all policies and procedures for Bluefield University.

The MABS Handbook should be utilized for more specific information on program details or policies.

Admission RequirementsBenchmarks & Acceptance to VCOMTechnical StandardsAccepted Student InformationFAQs