Joining the Pharmacology Department

The BSTP serves as an interdisciplinary Ph.D. umbrella program within the School of Medicine designed to position students for success in research. Currently, the BSTP program has eleven disciplines which encompass a wide range of interests. As a new student in the Biomedical Sciences Training Program, you will complete lab rotations with research faculty to help you choose a research mentor and the PhD program that fits you best. You’ll complete a minimum of three rotations of 4-6 weeks. During each research rotation, you'll spend at least 20 hours per week in the lab, acquiring new techniques, learning about the lab's research areas, and interacting with the other members of the lab. You'll also attend journal clubs, research seminars, and lab meetings. This allows you to find the research and environment that best suits your interests. Most PhD students begin in July so they can complete a research rotation before classes begin.

After you've completed rotations at the end of the first semester, you'll choose a PI and join one of the PhD programs in the BSTP. Our PhD programs have lots of people to welcome students to the program, including graduate program directors, graduate studies administrative coordinators, and more senior graduate students. They will help you understand the course requirements, exams, and other activities in the program, and help you learn your way around.

To apply, use the CWRU Application Portal

1. Create an application account
2. Click "Start New Application"
   • Specify application year and the graduate school you are applying to (in blank dropdown menu under application year)
     • You would choose "School of Medicine"
3. Fill out the application and go through each section carefully
   • In the "Program Details" section: 
     • Choose "Doctoral" for the Degree Type dropdown
     • Then choose "Biomedical Sciences Training Program (BSTP) under the Program dropdown
4. Submit your application and reach out to the School of Graduate Studies if you have any questions about the process
   • All domestic applicants (US citizens or permanent residents) as well as all CWRU alumni / current students are eligible to apply free of charge (CWRU international alumni must email bstp@case.edu for a fee waiver). 

Additionally, please contact bstp@case.edu with any questions on applying to the Ph.D. program.

Our Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)—a MD/PhD combined degree program—takes approximately seven to eight years to complete. The PhD thesis is usually defended during the fifth or sixth year, while the MD is awarded upon graduation from the program.

More information regarding the program's curriculum, year-by-year overview, and FAQ are available on the MSTP website

MSTP candidates apply to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine through the AMCAS application service. After you've submitted your AMCAS application, you'll receive an email from the School of Medicine Admissions Office telling you how to set up an iApply account and complete your secondary application.

The MSTPS program will prepare students for a variety of careers in the pharmaceutical industry and adjacent settings with a unique program designed to reflect the interdisciplinary environment of this industry. The Department of Pharmacology serves as the home for the Master of Science in Translational Pharmaceutical Science (MSTPS) program, but you’ll benefit from the joint effort between CWRU’s top-ranked School of Medicine, School of Law, Case School of Engineering, and Weatherhead School of Management. 

To apply, use the CWRU Application Portal

1. Create an application account
2. Click "Start New Application"
   • Specify application year and the graduate school you are applying to (in blank dropdown menu under application year)
     • You would choose "School of Medicine"
3. Fill out the application and go through each section carefully
   • In the "Program Details" section: 
     • Choose "Master's" for the Degree Type dropdown
     • Then choose "Translational Pharmaceutical Science (MS)" under the Program dropdown
4. Submit your application and reach out to the School of Graduate Studies or the MSTPS team  if you have any questions about the process
   • Note: If you are experiencing a severe financial hardship which prevents you from paying the application fee, please email gradadmit@case.edu to speak with our admissions staff about a waiver.

For more detailed admissions information (materials, timelines, etc.), please feel free to visit the program's admissions webpage.