Building the future Of Healthcare Education
Medical Science Programs
The CECS Medical Science Programs combine advanced coursework with an Experiential Residential Program (ERP) offered in healthcare settings, giving students a strong foundation for careers in medicine, digital health, and healthcare innovation. The programs offer multiple paths from an undergraduate certificate to a Master of Medical Science with an accelerated Gap Year option and multiple tracks including Clinical Science & Investigation, Digital Health Transformation, and the Medical Innovation LaunchPad, creating a reliable pipeline of students whose clinical readiness, professionalism, and commitment have already been tested.
Students begin by designing their own healthcare education pathway through guided activities, career immersion modules, and conversations with practitioners. From there, they progress through structured, credit-bearing clinical practicums that replace fragmented shadowing with real, supervised engagement in healthcare environments whether their goal is medical school, a career in health technology, or launching a healthcare venture.
Experiential, Not Just Academic
Replaces fragmented shadowing and volunteer experiences with sequenced, faculty-supervised practicums housed in clinical settings such as UT Medical Center.
Readiness Demonstrated Over Time
Medical school readiness is demonstrated longitudinally across multiple semesters, not inferred solely from GPA, standardized test scores, or a single interview.
Emerging Technology Built-In
Prepares students for the future of healthcare by integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence with real clinical problem-solving and translational research.
Competency-Based Framework
A deliberate framework that unifies research, ethics, leadership, and clinical exposure into a cohesive model going beyond traditional coursework-driven preparation.
Stackable Credentials
Students can earn an undergraduate certificate, stack it into the 30-credit-hour Master of Medical Science, or pursue the accelerated 4+1 pathway with multiple exit points at each stage.
Complements Any Major
Provides a centralized healthcare experiential framework that complements majors across Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Nursing, Public Health, and Honors.
The Experiential Residential Program (ERP)
The cornerstone of the Medical Science Programs is the ERP, a sequenced, credit-bearing clinical experience developed by a joint committee of academic and clinical leaders.
Clinical Employment
Students earn credit and wages while gaining direct patient care experience in clinics across specialties, including OBGYN, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine.
Mentorship & Oversight
Structured physician mentorship and academic oversight within a cohort-based professional development model.
Hands-On Skills
Training includes medical assistant competencies and clinical terminology integrated with coursework in ethics, leadership, and healthcare systems.
Workforce Pipeline
Building on a proven resident-clinic model, the program expands the pipeline to prepare Tennessee’s next generation of physicians and healthcare professionals.
Programs and Options
Choose the path that fits your goals. Every option is built on the same ERP foundation and is designed to stack so you never lose progress.
Experiential Medical Science Certificate
12 Credit Hours | 4 Practicums
A practicum-based program that takes you from the classroom into real healthcare settings building clinical readiness, research skills, and professional confidence. Covers medical terminology, healthcare systems, applied research, and clinical leadership through four sequenced practicums.
Pending Final Approval
Master of Medical Science (M.S.)
30 Credit Hours · 3 Tracks
An interdisciplinary, experiential-based graduate program combining the ERP practicums with graduate-level coursework, AI and data-driven clinical solutions, and a capstone. Students select from three tracks: Clinical Science & Investigation, Digital Health Transformation, or Medical Innovation Launchpad.
Pending Final Approval
Accelerated MSMS Pathway
Bachelor’s + GAP Year
High-performing UT students can complete their bachelor’s degree and the Master of Medical Science in five years. Undergraduate ERP certificate credits stack directly into the 30-credit-hour MSMS, with the same track options and outcomes including the potential for early consideration for UT Medical School admission.
Pending Final Approval
Your Healthcare Pathway
Students from any UT major can enter through a gateway course and progress through multiple stages with exit points at every level.
Questions? We’re here to help.
If you have questions or need assistance navigating the application process, contact us.
