Reviewed and Approved:
- Curriculum Committee (Approved January 19, 2022; Effective January 19, 2022)
- Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee (Approved January 6, 2022; Effective January 19, 2022)
Scope
Policy applies to all medical students wishing to participate in the MD/MBE dual degree program.
Policy Statement
Students may apply and pursue a Master of Bioengineering 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 the medical school. 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 Bioengineering Master program. All Incomplete grades must be satisfactorily resolved and courses/modules/clerkships requiring repeat or remediation must be successfully completed prior to starting the MBE program of study. No exceptions.
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 OASA and OEP by 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 website. Application materials must be submitted by December 31.
Information on application materials and successful completion of the application will be covered during the Fall information sessions. Interviews occur in January/February and acceptances communicated by Rice 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 program.
To attend the Rice 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 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 from the medical school cannot simultaneously take MMS classes.
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. Rice tuition for MMS students is negotiated on an annual basis, and may change annually. Scholarship assistance for the fourth year of medical school may be available.
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 year. 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 Promotion Committee (SEPC).
For questions contact:
Nicole Dubuque, OASA
Mary Horton, OEP