The application process for Fall 2025 is now open.
Application deadline - August 5, 2025 (or until the program is filled)
General Information
How many students are in your program each year?
Enrollment varies annually, with a typical cohort comprising 10 to 16 students. The program maintains a small class size to support close faculty-student engagement and to promote strong peer-to-peer connections within the cohort.
Do you offer an online option?
The program is currently offered exclusively in person; an online option is not available at this time.
Are most of your students planning on continuing to Med School eventually?
Yes. While many students enter the program with the intention of pursuing medical school, graduates have also continued on to PhD programs, genetic counseling programs, dental school, and law school. Additionally, alumni have secured positions in research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, forensic laboratories, and biomedical technology firms.
Click for a list of where some of our students go after they complete our program.
While outcomes vary from year to year and some alumni are no longer actively tracked, available data indicate that approximately 90% of students who apply to medical school or schools of osteopathic medicine are accepted within a few years of completing the program.
While there is no formal linkage agreement between the MS program and Tulane University School of Medicine, the medical school is familiar with and holds the program in high regard. Students apply through the standard admissions process, but benefit from strengthened academic credentials and a demonstrated connection to both Tulane and the city of New Orleans. Faculty members from the program frequently provide letters of recommendation, which can further support applications to Tulane and other medical schools.
Application & Acceptance
Is there a minimum GPA, MCAT, or GRE requirement?
There is no official minimum GPA requirement, however, applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 are rarely admitted. The MCAT and GRE are not required for admission, but applicants may choose to submit scores if they believe it will strengthen their application. Strong test scores can be particularly helpful in offsetting a lower GPA.
How many people who apply to the program are accepted?
The number of applications varies annually, typically ranging from 50 to 70. Approximately two-thirds of applicants are offered admission. Of those accepted, between one-third and one-half ultimately choose to matriculate.
Do I need to pay a deposit once I am accepted and decide to attend your program?
Yes. A $500 deposit is required to secure a place in the program upon acceptance. This deposit is applied toward tuition. Refunds may be requested if a student is accepted into an accredited MD, DO, or dental program after beginning the MS program.
Do you allow "conditional acceptances"?
No. All application materials must be submitted in full before an admissions decision can be made. Applicants who are currently enrolled in coursework should submit updated transcripts as they become available. An official transcript confirming conferral of a degree is required prior to matriculation.
Do you accept foreign students?
Yes. All application materials must be submitted in English. Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must undergo a formal international credential evaluation, such as that provided by World Education Services (WES). Additionally, applicants who graduated from universities where instruction was not conducted in English are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores, with minimum scores of 80 on the TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS.
Are there any scholarships, teaching, or research opportunities available with this program?
No. There are no scholarships or assistantships available for this program.
How much does the program cost?
Full time tuition for the 2025-26 year is projected to be $25,200 for 30 credit hours.
Other estimated University fees per semester:
$400 - Academic Support Services
$120 - Student Activities
$247 - Recreation Center
$416 - Health Service Fee - (this fee is not a health insurance premium) *
$1,183 - Total Semester Fees
*Students are also required to have Health Insurance, which can be bought through Tulane. If you have your own, you have to provide that information.
Yes. Separate applications are required for each Master’s program to which you apply. Each application must include a personal statement, résumé or CV, and a list of recommenders, even if the same individuals are listed for multiple programs.
Regarding letters of recommendation, you must list your references on each application. It is advisable to enter your recommenders’ email addresses on one application so they receive the invitation to submit their letters. For the other applications, you may list the recommenders’ names and use the email address bms@tulane.edu. Once the letters have been received through the application portal, you may contact bms@tulane.edu to request that the letters be shared across your other applications.
Curriculum
A list of courses is provided here or under Curriculum in the right navigation column. All students take the same courses covering all aspects of Human Genetics.
Yes, it is a 20 to 30 page literature review on a topic of your choice (has to be related to genetics). Each student has a faculty mentor to provide guidance in the writing of the paper and who will be the one who decides the grade for the paper. It is not a formal “thesis paper”, as it does not require original research.
How does your advising system work?
We are a small program with a small faculty. If you have any problems with classes, you can speak directly to the professor. Dr. Weissbecker provides counseling related to applying to medical school, other employment options, and help with dealing with “life issues.” The Biomedical Science office also has an Academic and Career Advisor for graduate students, Weiwei Xu. Tulane University provides mental health support through the Tulane Counseling Center located inside the Health Center: 127 Elk Place, Room 261.
