152 Mallory Hall
Telephone: 973-655-4415
The Health Careers Program prepares highly motivated and academically capable students from financially and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds for admission to health professions schools and careers in the sciences. Goals are achieved through formal coursework, advisement and counseling, tutorial activities, mentoring, lectures, field experiences and financial assistance.
The Eight-Year Combined BS/MD Degree Program
The eight-year BS/MD combined program is an articulation agreement between the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School (UMDNJ-NJMS) and Montclair State University’s Health Career Program, which results in the granting of a Baccalaureate degree from Montclair State University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from UMDNJ-NJMS. While at Montclair State, students have four years of full-time study in an approved honors program, while receiving comprehensive support services and participating in summer and academic year enrichment activities. Upon successful completion of program requirements at Montclair State University, students advance automatically to the New Jersey Medical School.
Eligibility
Admissions to the eight-year BS/MD combined program is offered to high school seniors through the Health Careers Program (HCP) who have satisfied secondary school requirements in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics and who are planning to major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or microbiology. Candidates are evaluated based on their high school grade point average (B or better), SAT scores (550-verbal, 550-math in a single test administration), rank-in-class (top ten percent) and letters of recommendation from high school teachers.
Standards to be met while at Montclair State University include 3.20 or better grade point average; a minimum grade of “B” in science courses required for admission to UMDNJ-NJMS (general biology – eight credits, general chemistry – eight credits, organic chemistry – six credits and physics – eight credits); fulfill all requirements for the HCP Honors curriculum; and participate in summer study or independent research projects at NJMS.
Letters of Recommendation from teachers (maximum of five)–at least one each from a mathematics, science and English teacher are required. During the in-person interview accompanied by parents/guardians, the candidate must demonstrate motivation, maturity and understanding of the demands of a health professions career.
Application Process
The deadline to submit an application for the eight-year BS/MD combined program is December 15th.
Medical Academic Advancement Program
Montclair State University, through its Health Careers Program, has entered into a consortium with The University of Virginia School of Medicine Medical Academic Advancement Programs (MAAPs). The purpose of this is to increase the number of disadvantaged and students of color who are accepted into the University of Virginia School of Medicine and other medical schools. To accomplish this aim, the University of Virginia School of Medicine has made the following programs available to the Health Careers Program students: An intensive six week summer program at the University of Virginia School of Medicine for premedical students (MAAP-I) to include: courses in biology, chemistry, physics, quantitative relationships, and reading and essay writing, as preparation for health professions standardized entrance exams using the MCAT as a model; a structured clinical or research laboratory experience under the supervision of School of Medicine faculty mentors; academic advisement including information about and assistance with the process of applying to medical schools; and lectures on clinical medicine topics and biomedical research.
For information regarding other opportunities in health and the sciences beyond the programs listed above, please call 973-655-4415.