In its third year, master’s degree program has tripled in class size

Two years ago, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) launched its first master’s degree program — a nine-month Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) degree designed to prepare students for success in medical school or in other health professions.

Twenty-four students graduated in the inaugural MSBS class in 2025. The program nearly doubled in size the following year, with 44 students graduating in 2026. This year’s incoming class saw 72 students take their first steps toward earning a master’s degree.

The MSBS program includes anatomy labs as well as courses in biochemistry and nutrition, human anatomy and physiology, cell biology and genetics, and microbiology and immunology, among other topics. Graduates who achieve an overall program score of 85% or higher, receive a letter of recommendation from MSBS faculty and meet WVSOM’s other D.O. admissions requirements are granted guaranteed acceptance to the school’s D.O. program.

Marina Diioia, Ph.D., WVSOM’s associate dean of graduate programs, said the fast growth reflected a coordinated effort by school employees as well as a deliberate admissions process.

“It took dedicated work by faculty and staff to coordinate the logistics of moving 72 students through the program, and it was also the result of adjustments made by other supportive departments. OurOffice of Admissions and our Graduate Programs Admissions Committee go through applications with a fine-tooth comb and are dedicated to finding students they think will be successful. We’re left with a class that’s engaged, positive and a great fit on our campus,” she said.

Diioia said one enhancement to this year’s MSBS program is that it includes a revamped biomedical research seminar, designed to address the increasing importance of research in health education.

“In the past, it was about communication — how to digest dense biomedical research and present it in front of peers,” she said. “The new seminar focuses more on how to research ethically, how to ask the right questions, how to make sure a data set is robust and statistics are done properly, and how to critically evaluate the research that’s already out there.”

The MSBS program’s first two years proved successful in preparing students to enter medical school at WVSOM. Eighty-seven percent of students who completed the MSBS program in 2025 matriculated to WVSOM’s D.O. program. Eighty-six percent of students who earned the degree in 2026 matriculated to the D.O. program.

James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., WVSOM’s president, said the program is helping the school maintain its prominent role in contributing to West Virginia’s health care workforce.

“This year, we were able to meet our goal of maximizing the growth of our Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program,” Nemitz said. “This relatively new master’s degree is an important pipeline for our D.O. program. Our goal is to continue to be a leading producer of physicians for West Virginia.”

With students from WVSOM’s D.O. and MSBS programs combined, a total of 282 new students set foot on the Lewisburg, W.Va., campus in the past month — a record for the school.

During an MSBS orientation on Aug. 3-4, sessions included an overview of courses; a look at the school’s information technology, academic technology and library services; a presentation on student professionalism; and a session led by WVSOM’s Academic Support and Intervention Resources (ASPIRE) department, which helps students adopt learning techniques and provides counseling to those experiencing mental health issues.

Gail Swarm, D.O., WVSOM’s chief academic officer, welcomed students during the orientation, explaining that the MSBS program will challenge them in ways they might not expect.

“Nothing comes easy; you have to work for it. But we believe in you. The faculty are here to help you succeed. Reach out for help. Don’t procrastinate and you’ll do great,” Swarm said.

Jayden Wilkerson, a 2026 MSBS graduate who is now a member of WVSOM’s D.O. Class of 2030, said the master’s program allowed her to develop study skills that are essential for her success as a medical student.

“My previous study habits would not have been sustainable in such a fast-paced academic environment. Through advanced coursework, I developed critical thinking skills that I have carried into the D.O. program. My time in the MSBS program was extremely valuable and played a huge role in preparing me for medical school,” she said.

Adam Johnson, of the D.O. Class of 2030, said his time in the master’s degree program was instrumental in his ability to become a medical student.

“It helped me prepare by giving me opportunities to be exposed to a curriculum created by some of the same professors who teach D.O. classes. We also had the opportunity to use WVSOM’s anatomy lab, which is a great help to my continued learning in the D.O. program,” he said.

For more information on WVSOM’s MSBS program, click here.