Online Postbac/SMP programs list (2020-fall)

[Joe Jewel]

Hello All,

Hope everyone is staying well and healthy. With all the changes that are happening to adapt to the loss of lives and livelihoods, it seems that online education will be a more feasible option for the foreseeable future. What are the current, established, and new/transitioning post baccalaureate and special masters programs that will be utilizing online teaching this upcoming fall (2020)? I have done some research and found less than a handful (perhaps since the situation is still fluid and the word is not out on schools for fall). My exploration of the topic has yielded the following shortlist: GCSOM (Geisinger), UNCO (Northern Colorado), and maybe UNT (in Texas)... Any additions, feedback, and insights are much appreciated.

Thank You.

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[chemphysicsinstructor]

Hello All,

Hope everyone is staying well and healthy. With all the changes that are happening to adapt to the loss of lives and livelihoods, it seems that online education will be a more feasible option for the foreseeable future. What are the current, established, and new/transitioning post baccalaureate and special masters programs that will be utilizing online teaching this upcoming fall (2020)? I have done some research and found less than a handful (perhaps since the situation is still fluid and the word is not out on schools for fall). My exploration of the topic has yielded the following shortlist: GCSOM (Geisinger), UNCO (Northern Colorado), and maybe UNT (in Texas)... Any additions, feedback, and insights are much appreciated.

Thank You.

It may be a bit too early to determine which institutions are going online for the Fall 2020 term. I suspect that administrators have already made the decision but are not releasing their decision. I would recommend calling or emailing various administrators in a few months for a more definitive answer.

Yes, online education will continue to develop/evolve. I suspect that once the Federal government (Dept. of Education, Title IV, etc.) gets more involved due to financial aid, we will start to see a large increase in online education.

 

[Joe Jewel]

Thank you @chemphysicsinstructor for your reply. I believe what you alluded to is the case when it comes to schools; which many of will be transitioning to at least an option of online delivery. Calling and emailing has given me little insights since quite a few administrators and registrars are working remotely but I was able to figure out some options and will be applying to a couple of programs.

 

[iClearDiamond]

You can check USF M.S. in Medical Sciences. It's an online program.

 

[Joe Jewel]

It may be a bit too early to determine which institutions are going online for the Fall 2020 term. I suspect that administrators have already made the decision but are not releasing their decision. I would recommend calling or emailing various administrators in a few months for a more definitive answer.

Yes, online education will continue to develop/evolve. I suspect that once the Federal government (Dept. of Education, Title IV, etc.) gets more involved due to financial aid, we will start to see a large increase in online education. That is my perspective as an educator.

@chemphysicsinstructor you are right about a lot of the institutional decisions. As you advised, I have contacted a couple of schools about their programs and potential online options but was met with a little hesitation since they have not finalized the application, review, and admission offer processes just yet.

 

[Joe Jewel]

You can check USF M.S. in Medical Sciences. It's an online program.

@iClearDiamond thank you for the information. I have been to USF while visiting family in Florida years ago. I'll be checking out the program to learn more.

 

[CardiacStimulant]

@Joe Jewel did you look anymore into the MS Medical Sciences program at USF? Too late for me to apply now, but considering this as an option next year during my gap year. Also looked at UF's Microbiology & Cell Science MS which is 12 grand cheaper and 30 credits.

 

[Joe Jewel]

Hey @CardiacStimulant

I have looked at a few options. USF is a nice school that I visited with family and friends years ago while we were in Tampa, FL. Looks like I might stick with UNCO or GCSOM as options since they have been around prior to this year (2020). Thank you much for the insights, and I will check out UF's M.S. as well.

 

[DrZeke]

Hello,

Can anyone comment on online SMPs? I am looking through the threads and I'm not seeing much about this. How do they compare to in person SMP? In my mind they save tons of money, but will they be frowned upon in any way for not being in person? Seems like no.

 

[Joe Jewel]

Hello,

Can anyone comment on online SMPs? I am looking through the threads and I'm not seeing much about this. How do they compare to in person SMP? In my mind they save tons of money, but will they be frowned upon in any way for not being in person? Seems like no.

Greetings @DrZeke and thank you for your question. While I am not an expert on the subject matter, I can perhaps comment a little based on my personal experience. In terms of expenses, I would imagine that it is rather comparable since whether you are online or in-person you will have to cover living cost as well as tuition; which often represents the bigger share. In my original post on the top, I bring up 3 schools that have had an online SMP, at least prior to the pandemic, with one being a college (UNCO), another affiliated with an MD program (GCSOM), and the third associated with a DO school (UNT).

It is difficult to gauge how medical schools will view online vs in-person. However, I imagine the subtleties would be miniscule in nature. I personally was blessed to receive multiple offers for SMP programs. At the end, I decided to stay in my hometown (ABQ) to be around for my family/parents. As I am in the process of interviewing for medical schools at the moment, I can say that the SMP program has helped with my overall application. To what extent it will push me over the hypothetical acceptance "hump" in the crowded, competitive, and highly-qualified pool remains to be seen.

An SMP is mostly what you make of it. Depending on the individual's goals and target school, the programs are tailored to boost students' applications regardless of their nature, be it in-person or online. In my case, I am a truly non-traditional applicant and I needed a combination of solidifying my scientific credentials, obtaining LORs, and applying to the SMP's medical school as well. My biggest issue has been the letters of reference since I have not been in school for a while.

All in all, SMPs are a big investment of money, time, and effort. It is worth considering them as a reapplicant, nontraditional student, or if having high interest in the host medical school. It is good to keep in mind that in-person enrollment is preferable, especially in the case of in-state students, bigger-name schools, and research opportunities. Online was ideal for me as a full-time employee and since I had limited options and time constraints. Nonetheless, I did not perform as well as I should have due to the same time limitations, and having less accommodation as an online student compared to an in-person classmate (many professors barely recognized our names in the online cohort unless we formally introduced ourselves).

TL;DR- go for the in-person option if feasible. Do some research and compare your options (if multiple). Try to avoid the SMP/postbac route whenever possible. Best of luck.

 

[DrZeke]

Adding USF to your list.

 

[Princess Penny]

Case Western