To be considered for admission to Des Moines University’s Master of Science in Anatomy program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or regionally accredited university from within the United States prior to the start of orientation or meet the requirements of a specific articulation agreement. The degree should be in the biological or physical sciences; however, applicants with non-science degrees will be considered if they have a strong science background.
A cumulative and science grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale or higher are recommended to be considered for admission. All prerequisite courses must be taken at regionally accredited college or university. No grade lower than a C will be accepted for prerequisite coursework. CLEP credits, AP credits, IB credits and P/F credits will not be considered for prerequisites.
See our current class profile for more information.
Required Courses
Non-Thesis Track
The courses below are required for admission to the non-thesis track; you may apply while coursework is in progress. Coursework completion is required prior to matriculating, and pending coursework during the application cycle is acceptable.
Biology/Zoology - 8 Semester Hours
- Labs required, when available
General Chemistry - 8 Semester Hours
- Labs required, when available
Organic Chemistry - 4 Semester Hours
- Labs required, when available
Biochemistry - 3 Semester Hours
Physics - 8 Semester Hours
- Labs required, when available
- May substitute 3 semester hours of statistics for 3 semester hours of physics
English, English Composition, Speech or Literature - 6 Semester Hours
Other highly recommended courses include molecular biology, genetics, humanities, behavioral sciences, anatomy and math/statistics
Thesis Track
Students applying to the thesis track program must have a strong background in science with experience in evolution, biology, paleontology and/or biological anthropology. Specific preferred courses largely depend on the faculty mentor the applicant seeks to work with and the mentor’s research program, but courses may include evolutionary biology, genetics, human osteology, comparative anatomy, chemistry, physics, sedimentary geology, statistics and others.
Contact the specific faculty member you are interested in working with for more details.
Optional Entrance Exams
Applicants have the option to supply results of the Medical College Admission Test, Graduate Record Examination or Dental Admissions Test with their application. Test scores more than three years old are not accepted.
Technical Standards
See the technical standards section of DMU’s academic catalog (thesis and non-thesis tracks) for more information. Further information about accommodations can be found in the Accommodations in Education Policy.
Background Checks
All accepted students must complete a criminal background check, which may include a drug screen, through the DMU preferred vendor. Results must be released to DMU prior to matriculation, and the cost of this process will be paid by the accepted student. Accepted students are required to disclose all past or present charges, convictions, dismissals, deferred judgments and expunged records as related to a misdemeanor or felony. They are also obligated to disclose any additional charges and convictions which occur following completion of the initial criminal background check. Admission to the program may be revoked if misrepresentations or omissions from the application are noted in the background check. DMU students are required to complete annual background checks, which may include drug screening, while enrolled at DMU.
Permanent Residents
Applicants who are legal permanent residents of the U.S. will be required to provide a copy of their permanent resident card ("green card") prior to admission.
Note: Permanent residency status "pending" is not eligible for admission.
Non-U.S. Citizens
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are not eligible for admission to the Master of Science program. Please review information for international students.