Doctor of Philosophy

INFORMATION UPDATES

Notify Enrollment Management at (oesadmis@musc.edu) immediately of any change to:

  • preferred mailing address
  • email address
  • legal name
  • telephone number

The applicant is advised to keep copies of all material sent to the University. All original application materials submitted to the University become the property of the University and cannot be returned to an applicant, cannot be copied for an applicant, and cannot be forwarded to any other institution on behalf of the applicant.

Letter from the Program Director

 Dear Ph.D. Applicant,

Thank you for your application to the College of Graduate Studies at the Medical University of South Carolina.  We have outstanding facilities and faculty and a collaborative environment to support our graduate trainees. MUSC ranks in the top quartile of domestic educational institutions in the number of NIH grants for research training and education. Current awards include 27 NIH institutional training or research education grants and 19 NRSA individual fellowships (F-types). We also have a NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Sciences Award that facilitates research along the basic science to translational science to clinical continuum.

First year Ph.D. students in the biomedical sciences begin our program in an “undeclared” status.  These students enter into the first year core curriculum, which allows each individual time to obtain a broad foundation in the biomedical sciences and to explore all the research opportunities available before selecting a Ph.D. program and research mentor.  First year students in the Department of Public Health Sciences will take a curriculum designed by the program.  Each department and program has a web site that can be accessed for more information through the College of Graduate Studies home page.

To be eligible for admission students must possess a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in the biological, physical or mathematical sciences.  An essay and curriculum vitae must be completed as part of the application.  Transcripts from all Colleges and Universities attended, and three letters of reference must also be submitted.  General GRE test scores are no longer required for most of our programs. It is highly recommended that applicants have a strong background and research experience in the basic sciences (for Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences) or a strong background in mathematics (for Ph.D. programs in the Department of Public Health Sciences).

The Graduate Admissions Committee reviews completed applications and makes selections for interviews.  Interviews are required for admission into the College of Graduate Studies and the interview weekends are hosted January through March on our campus.  If the dates are not convenient, alternative arrangements may be made.  Applicants who reside outside the United States are interviewed by teleconference.  Admission is based on all the aforementioned required elements: completed application, GPA, letters of reference, prior research experience and interview.  Stipends ($37,000 per year as of July 1, 2024), paid health insurance and paid tuition are offered to all accepted Ph.D. applicants.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Office of Enrollment Management at (843) 792-3281 or my office at (843) 876-2411

Sincerely,

Director of Recruitment and Admissions

Email: Gradstudies@musc.edu

Important Web Sites

Apply online: https://education.musc.edu/admissions/ready-to-apply/apply-now/doctor-of-philosophy

Bulletin: https://education.musc.edu/students/enrollment/bulletin

Enrollment Management: https://education.musc.edu/students/enrollment

Financial Aid: https://education.musc.edu/students/enrollment/financial-aid

College of Graduate Studies Minimum Skills

Students in the College of Graduate Studies belong to a variety of programs, some of which require laboratory and/or clinical experiences. To successfully progress in their studies, students may be required to perform some or all of the essential functions or tasks listed below. These skills are in addition to the university minimum abilities and are program specific. Applicants to this program should possess these abilities with or without reasonable accommodation.

Sensory

  • Visual perception of depth and acuity (corrected to 20/40)
  • Communicate clearly and effectively in English through oral and written methods in order to interact with professional colleagues and patients.

Motor

  • Coordinate gross and fine motor movements including grasping, fingering, pushing, holding and cutting.
  • Ability to manipulate and maintain equipment
  • Demonstrate sufficient physical strength to perform actions such as lifting laboratory equipment, bottles, and boxes
  • Sufficient stamina to stand or sit for extended periods of time
  • Be mobile and able to ambulate within the clinical or laboratory environment

Cognitive

  • Use reason, analysis, calculations, problem solving, critical thinking skills, self-evaluation and other learning skills to acquire knowledge, comprehend, and synthesize complex situations
  • Understand and follow specific procedural protocols
  • Be able to function as part of a team
  • Be able to conduct tests and perform laboratory work including measuring and recording data

Behavioral

  • Demonstrate personal and professional ethical behavior, self-control as well as tactfulness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect

NOTE: Students seeking to request reasonable accommodation may do so by filing a “Disability Accommodation Request” form in the office of the dean of the college in which they are matriculated.

Required Form

Optional Form

  • Academic Plans Form (PDF File)  - email completed form to oesadmis@musc.edu
  • We would appreciate your completing the optional survey.  The information will only be used to collect demographic data that can help us understand if you qualify to be supported by some of our training grants. The information will NOT be sent to the admissions committee or have any bearing on your acceptance. Here is a link to the survey: https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=LJ3HX9WPT34C9RRN

    If the link does not work, please try copying the link below (in its entirety) into your web browser:https://redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=LJ3HX9WPT34C9RRN