Policy on Dual Degree MD/MBE Program
Students may apply and pursue a Master of Bioengineering (MBE) as a McGovern Medical School (MMS) student through an arrangement between MMS and Rice University. Students wishing to pursue this dual degree option must follow the application procedure outlined below and meet eligibility requirements as stated. MMS students can only be enrolled in one dual degree program throughout their tenure at MMS.
Eligibility for the MD/MBE application and program of study
To apply, students must be in good standing within MMS. Students must have a passing equivalent in each course or module at the time of application.
Academic standing will be evaluated prior to leaving for the MBE program. All Incomplete grades must be satisfactorily resolved and courses, modules, and clerkships requiring repeat or remediation must be successfully completed prior to starting the MBE program of study. There will be no exceptions to this requirement.
Students are required to take both Step 1 and Step 2 prior to matriculation into the MBE program.
Application Process to the MD/MBE dual degree program
An application to the Rice University Department of Bioengineering is required. Students interested in this dual degree option should begin conversations with the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (OASA) and Office of Educational Programs (OEP) by the Spring of their MS2 year and prepare the application to the program in the Fall of their MS3 year.
Information sessions by Rice Bioengineering faculty with OEP staff are held each Fall term. Students interested in this dual degree option are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions.
Program details and application materials are available on the MMS website. Application materials must be submitted by December 31.
Information on program details, application materials, and successful completion of the application will be covered during the Fall information sessions. Interviews occur in January/February and acceptances are communicated by Rice University faculty in February/March. Students should continue to meet all deadlines in the planning and scheduling of their MS4 year until official notification of acceptance into the Rice University program.
To attend the Rice University MBE program, students must submit a request for a one-year Leave of Absence (LOA) from the medical school. The timing of the LOA is typically May-April to reflect the MMS fourth year term, but students should work with OASA to determine the exact dates of the LOA request. All Incomplete grades must be satisfactorily resolved and any courses, modules, and clerkships requiring repeat or remediation must be successfully completed prior to starting the MBE program of study. Students will be registered as full-time students at Rice University during the time of the MBE program and will have limited privileges at MMS.
Students who are on a LOA are not registered students at the school and cannot simultaneously take MMS classes, and are not covered by malpractice insurance. Students requiring EHR access for research purposes must communicate with sponsoring faculty to obtain access.
Finances
Students are responsible for the tuition and fees associated with each program. Students will pay MMS tuition when registered in the medical school and Rice University tuition when enrolled at Rice University. Rice University tuition for MMS students is negotiated annually, and may change annually.
Students must notify the MMS Financial Aid office of their intention to take an LOA and are strongly encouraged to seek out their guidance.
Return to MMS
All LOAs will be approved for a 12-month period with the expectation that students will complete the MBE within that time frame. Completion of the MBE degree is not required for return to the MMS. Requests for additional leave time will be considered on an individual basis. All policies related to LOA and obligations to return apply. Requests for additional leave time will be reviewed per this policy through the Student Evaluation and Promotions Committee.