Master's Programs FAQs

Visit the MSMP and MSAP admissions pages to review the required application materials and apply via the online application.

Visit the MSMP and MSAP admissions pages for the latest application deadlines for each term.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and admissions decisions are issued throughout the application cycle.

Applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation. MSMP requires at least one letter from a basic science faculty member.

Preferred method: Enter your recommenders’ names and email addresses in the online application system. Recommenders can then submit letters directly into the system.

Other methods: Letters may also be submitted through Interfolio or emailed directly to applymsmp@case.edu for MSMP or apply-aero@case.edu for MSAP.

If letters are submitted outside the online application system, applicants should still enter their recommenders’ names and email addresses in the online system. Please do not submit the same letter through multiple submission methods, as this may delay application processing.

You must report all college-level coursework completed at all institutions you have attended, including post-secondary and transfer credits.

Unofficial transcripts are accepted to expedite the admissions review process and should be uploaded with your online application. If you have already earned a degree, your unofficial transcript must include both the degree awarded and conferral date.

You do not need to submit official transcripts with your application. Official transcripts will be required before enrollment only for admitted students planning to enroll at CWRU.

Your statement of purpose should describe your career goals, why you are pursuing this career path and how the program will help you achieve those goals.  You may address any academic challenges you faced and explain how you plan to address those challenges moving forward in the Academic Challenges section under Supplemental Materials.

Each applicant is evaluated holistically based on the strength of the overall application, including undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and/or graduate GPAs, the breadth and depth of science coursework, letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, and a statement of purpose describing the applicant’s interest in the program and career goals.

MS in Medical Physiology (MSMP)

While the MSMP does not have any prerequisites for admissions, applications should complete the prerequisite coursework required for their intended professional program (i.e. medical, dental, or other professional schools).

For students to be most successful in the program, we recommend one full academic year of:

• Biology with lab
• General chemistry with lab
• Organic chemistry with lab
• Physics with lab
• English

MS in Aerospace Physiology (MSAP)

Admission is available to students with a bachelor’s degree in the physical or biological sciences and at least one year of biology and English coursework. Additional coursework in anatomy and physiology is recommended.

Preferred academic backgrounds (typically with a final GPA of 3.0 or higher) include:

• Allied health sciences (e.g., nursing, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, etc.) 
• Exercise or sports physiology 
• Biology with additional coursework in human anatomy and physiology 
•  An undergraduate degree in another field with additional coursework in human anatomy, human physiology, biochemistry and physics

Yes, international students are welcome to apply to the programs. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you are considered an international applicant.

Please review the School of Graduate Studies International Applicant Info webpage for more specific admissions information.

The VISA Office provides a wide range of support and resources to our international students by assisting with immigration matters, facilitating intercultural exchange opportunities and helping them navigate academic and campus life in the U.S.

International students should be aware that not all U.S. medical and dental schools accept international applicants. If your goal is to attend a U.S. professional school, you are encouraged to confirm that your intended institution accepts international applicants.

Tuition and fees are set by the university and can be viewed on the Student Financial Services page.

All financial aid is handled through the university's Office of Financial Aid. 

The department generates a Memorandum of Assistance (MOA) for all incoming students, which is sent to the Financial Aid office to assist in generating financial aid packages.

The department does not provide funding for masters students.

Yes. Both in-person and online enrollment options are available for students in the MSMP and MSAP programs.

MSMP offers both resident and online programs.  The online program allows students to participate live via streaming or asynchronously via recording.  Students can transfer from resident to online or online to resident as circumstances dictate.  A number of second year options such as research and clinical areas of concentration require students to be in the resident program during those activities.

For MSAP students who are unable to relocate to Cleveland may complete some or all of their coursework online with the option to transition to resident status during a later term, with the exception of the MSAP program’s residency requirement for PHOL 423. Most students in the program complete their coursework online.

For MSAP, in-person classes may be offered when minimum enrollment requirements are met, and decisions regarding in-person offerings for the upcoming fall semester are typically made by June 1.

Course offerings, course content, grading standards and degree requirements are the same for both resident and online students, and all students have access to the same course materials. Teaching assistants are assigned each year to support students, and block exams are administered securely through an online exam proctoring platform.

Applicants should indicate on their application whether they intend to enroll as resident or online students. Students interested in electives outside the department should consult those departments directly regarding online course availability.

Students should have access to a laptop with a webcam and microphone for quizzes, exams, video conferencing and remote learning activities. Please refer to [U]Tech’s minimum and recommended computer specifications for additional guidance.

All students should also have access to a stable internet connection to be successful in the program. All quizzes and exams are proctored remotely.

Both the MSMP and MSAP programs are designed to offer flexibility based on each student’s goals, needs and schedule.

MS in Medical Physiology (MSMP)

The MSMP program can be completed in 12 months for students who begin in the summer or fall terms. Students who begin in the spring term cannot complete the program any sooner than 16 months. Students can take up to 60 months to complete the program.

Traditionally, students take four semesters to complete the program so that they can take advantage of extracurricular opportunities at CWRU while completing their coursework. The program offers a number of second year options including pursuing research or writing a masters thesis as well as clinical opportunities in neurology and nephrology.  In addition, students may study for the MCAT or DAT, participate in clinical, volunteer or research opportunities. This timeline is highly recommended by MSMP faculty and advisors.

MS in Aerospace Physiology (MSAP)

Most students complete the MSAP program in approximately two years, particularly those who choose to participate in extracurricular opportunities available at CWRU. With a full course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, the MSAP program can be completed in as few as 17 months across four consecutive terms (fall, spring, summer and fall).

After officially accepting an offer of admission, students are assigned a faculty advisor from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics before the start of the term.

MS in Medical Physiology (MSMP)

Faculty advisors are integral to student success. They help students develop strategies for academic success and provide guidance on strengthening their competitiveness for professional school applications. Faculty advisors are also responsible for writing committee letters for their advisees.

Throughout the academic year, the MSMP program hosts information sessions focused on applying to professional schools, such as medical and dental schools and physician assistant programs. Before the spring semester, students also participate in a daylong retreat focused on the professional school application process. Representatives from professional schools and programs visit throughout the year as well.

Students are also paired with peer advisors from second-year students or recent alumni. Peer advisors provide a student perspective on succeeding in the MSMP program and navigating campus and community resources.

We accept GRE, MCAT, DAT and PCAT scores. If you have taken any standardized test, you are required to submit that score with your application.  If you have not taken any standardized test, submitting score reports with your application is optional.  Students who have not yet taken a standardized exam or plan to retake a standardized exam should discuss this with their advisor.

Applicants who have taken the GRE, MCAT, DAT or PCAT must self-report all exam attempts in the application. Applicants may also upload unofficial score reports during the application process.

Official test scores are required only from admitted students who choose to enroll. Instructions for submitting official documents will be provided after admission.

GRE scores may be sent to CWRU using school code 1105. 

Official MCAT, DAT and PCAT score reports may be emailed to applymsmp@case.edu. Submitted reports should clearly display the applicant’s name, date of birth, exam date, PIN or verification code, etc.

For information on TOEFL and IELTS scores (if applicable), refer to the School of Graduate Studies International Applicant Info page.

The lecture-based courses in the MSMP program are designed to mirror the rigor and organ block system of a traditional medical or dental school curriculum. Students will additionally delve into the pathophysiology of certain diseases states throughout the Core Curriculum and electives courses.  The program includes a minimum of 26 credit hours of physiology coursework, which is often more than the number of physiology hours required at the professional school level.

The Core Curriculum is taught by many of the same faculty members who teach in CWRU School of Medicine.

One of the distinguishing features of the MSMP program is the opportunity for students to learn from content experts across multiple areas of physiology. More than 50 faculty members from CWRU School of Medicine, both within and outside the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, teach within the Core Curriculum.

Students can apply to participate in clinical rotations in nephrology and neurology at University Hospitals upon completion of the Core Curriculum.  Students must be resident students during these rotations.

CWRU is affiliated with four major healthcare institutions: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. These affiliations provide MSMP students with access to a wide range of clinical, research and professional development opportunities.

Each department within the affiliated hospitals host weekly Grand Rounds that are open to our students. They may attend sessions related to their areas of interest to learn about current research and clinical treatments and connect with clinical faculty.

Students may also have opportunities to shadow faculty, observe procedures and participate in basic science or clinical research. In addition, many nonprofit and volunteer organizations throughout Cleveland and the surrounding area welcome student involvement.

Yes, many MSMP students become involved in basic science and clinical research projects during the program.

Research opportunities may include:

• Observing or volunteering in a laboratory or clinical setting, 
• Working as a research assistant or clinical research coordinator, including in clinical trials or campus laboratories, 
• Completing one or more PHOL 601 Research courses,
• Switching to Plan A, which allows students to conduct original research in a faculty laboratory and write and defend a thesis during their second year in the program

Many MSMP graduates continue on to professional programs in medicine, dentistry and other healthcare fields. Nearly 90% of students applying to medical school are accepted, and close to 100% of students applying to dental school are accepted.

Students work closely with faculty advisors to develop a plan aligned with their professional goals. MSMP faculty and advisors generally recommend completing the program over two years to establish a strong academic record and participate in enrichment, clinical, research and volunteer opportunities that strengthen professional school applications.

Since enrolling its first class in 2011, the MSMP program has helped prepare students for admission to a variety of biomedical and healthcare professional programs, including medical (MD and DO), podiatric, dental, physician assistant, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, anesthesiology assistant, and PhD programs.

Yes. Please visit the MSMP Linkage Program page for the most up-to-date information about available linkage opportunities.

CWRU is affiliated with four major healthcare systems: Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Faculty within the Department of Physiology and Biophysics are affiliated with each of these institutions.

Departments across these healthcare systems host weekly Grand Rounds that are open to students. Students are encouraged to explore areas of interest, attend Grand Rounds, learn about current research and clinical treatments, and connect with clinical faculty. Opportunities may also be available to shadow faculty members, observe procedures and participate in basic science or clinical research. In addition, many nonprofit and volunteer organizations throughout Cleveland and the surrounding area welcome student involvement.

Internship opportunities vary from year to year but have included placements with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and NASA. Some opportunities may be limited to U.S. citizens.

Laboratory research opportunities for MSAP students may be available depending on current research funding.