Joint master's and MBA program gives students opportunity to shape the future of healthcare

The University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division (BSD) and Booth School of Business have teamed up to offer a new joint Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (BMS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program. The two-year program is an opportunity for students looking to combine business expertise with foundational knowledge in biomedicine to become leaders and innovators in the healthcare industry, preparing them for careers in fields such as biotechnology, policy, government, and pharmaceuticals. 

The BMS program provides foundational training in biomedicine. The core curriculum focuses on the applications and innovations in clinical care and medical treatment, statistics, bioethics, and the American healthcare system, in addition to more specialized elective courses through concentrations in science communication, biomedical data science, health systems science, and biomedical innovation. 

The new joint MS/MBA program combines this curriculum with 14 courses from Booth’s MBA program and an experiential leadership development course, pairing leadership and management skills with the research, applied, and clinical skills needed to transform healthcare. So far, more than 20 students are enrolled in the inaugural program, and applications are open for the next cohort. 

“One of the strengths of the University of Chicago is the strong connection between our co-located programs across campus,” said Samuel Volchenboum, MD, PhD, Dean of Master’s Programs. “Here we have an incredible opportunity for students to leverage both the BSD’s experience in educating the next generation of leaders in healthcare and the Booth’s School of Business’s long track record educating and training business students.”

 The BMS program is one of four master’s degree programs offered by the BSD, including Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Public Health Sciences for Clinical Professionals, and Master of Science in Precision Health. BMS students develop research and applied clinical skills for future careers as health professionals, researchers, administrators, scientific writers, and educators who understand fundamental biology of the human body and can participate in and support scientific research and health care delivery. 

Led by faculty from both the BSD and Booth, the joint MS/MBA program complements the BSD’s academic medical and basic science research programs by training the next generation of healthcare leaders and scientific entrepreneurs who can make a positive impact on the rapidly changing industry. 

“Given the immense need for innovation in both healthcare and biomedicine to advance human health, having skilled professionals who are well versed in the vernacular of biomedicine and healthcare as well as poised to lead change is critical for the future,” said Vineet Arora, MD, Herbert T. Abelson Professor of Medicine, Dean for Medical Education, and Founding Director of the BMS program. “It’s exciting to be part of training a workforce who can help transform our fields.”