The Department of Genetics and Human Genetics offers courses leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees . The program is associated with the Departments of Pediatrics and Biology so that students will not only learn to work creatively in their own field of special interest but will also be able to relate their findings to progress made in related disciplines.

The graduate programs in Genetics & Human Genetics are designed to confer the training standards that will develop students for degrees of Doctorate of Philosophy Masters, and M.D./Ph.D. degree(s). The graduate program is an interdepartmental entity built on a diverse platform.

The program is associated with the department of Pediatrics and department of Biology where students work creatively in their field of special interest but and be able to relate application and relevance to related clinical and science disciplines.

The degree programs are designed to provide a curricular foundation in human genetics for all enrolled students during their first year.Following this, guided by their academic adviser, students elect to pursue their area of interest in genetics . This is accomplished through a combination of elective courses offered in the Department and other departments of the University, as well as in the Washington Area Consortium of Universities. The Masters thesis and Doctoral dissertation research interests likewise can reflect a broad range of interests, provided a suitable research mentor is identified in the graduate faculty.

This training program design takes into account the fact that genetics is increasingly relevant within the framework of multiple biomedical research and scholarly pursuits. The program design also is intended to foster the important principle of collaborative research and scholarship among biomedical disiplines.

The graduate programs are research-oriented curriculum's in the study of genetic mechanisms related to the transition from normal to disease states and intended to prepare graduates to participate in laboratory research.

To be accepted into the Graduate Program in Genetics and Human Genetics, students must have a Bachelors degree from an accredited institution and a GPA of at least 3.0 or B equivalent. In addition, students must meet the University requirement(s) to take the Graduate Record Examination (and the TOEFL if applicable).

Students with a bachelor degree may enter the graduate program at the Masters level or directly into the Ph.D. program. Eligibility to be considered for direct admission as a Ph.D. student requires a cumulative GPA greater than 3.2 and prior research and/or training experience in during undergraduate school or during a previous Masters degree

Applicants are required to submit these items for consideration of acceptance and review of potential for success:

Students wishing to enter the master's program should have a baccalaureate degree and a cumulative GPA average of B or the equivalent. They also should have completed undergraduate courses in modern biology, chemistry through organic chemistry, general biochemistry, mathematics through calculus, and general genetics, or equivalent courses. These prerequisites apply regardless of specialization selected within the master's program.

Students with less than a B average or who have not completed all of the required undergraduate courses may be admitted conditionally if they have very high Graduate Record Examination scores and/or excellent recommendations.

Students may matriculate into the doctoral program, having completed a suitable Masters degree, provided they present evidence of previous research experience supported by excellent letters of recommendation, and grades above 3.2 average.

Students who do not meet these general criteria may be considered for the master's program as indicated above.

The degree programs are designed to provide a curricular foundation in human genetics during their first and second year. Following years students elect to pursue elective courses in their area of interest.

Classes for degree credits are gained through a combination of elective courses offered in the Department, other departments within the University, and from courses offered through the Washington Area Consortium of Universities.

To confer the degree of Masters in Science requires;

To confer the degree of Doctor of Philosophy requires;

The College of Medicine and the Graduate School jointly offer an integrated program that leads to both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees without compromise in the customary substance of each of these degrees individually. Additionally, the curricular emphasis develops in the trainee the unique professional role perspective of the clinician/scientist/scholar. It also develops a particular appreciation for the urgent and unsolved health problems that are present in the population served by the Howard University Hospital and its affiliated clinical programs.

Application Process

Graduate departments that currently invite applications for Ph.D. study in this program are: Anatomy, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Genetics and Human Genetics, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics.

The steps in the application process are as follows:

The application for the M.D./Ph.D. program shou ld be returned to:

Kareem Washington, Ph.D.Director M.D./Ph.D. ProgramHoward University College of Medicine520 W Street, NWWashington, DC 20059email:kareem.washington @howard.edu

A student, with the advice of the director of graduate studies, may file for admission to candidacy.

Students in the Ph.D. program are required to spend at least three semesters in full-time residence, two of which must be consecutive.

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Genetics and Human Genetics | Graduate School