Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Launches Master of Medical Sciences Program

New dual-degree option earns approval from New Jersey Presidents’ Council

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM) has received approval from the New Jersey Presidents’ Council to establish a Master of Medical Sciences/M.D. dual degree program, marking a milestone in the school’s growth and innovation.

Designed to prepare the next generation of physician-scientists, the additional year of enrollment provides HMHSOM medical students with advanced research training while maintaining their clinical trajectory.

“This program addresses a critical need in modern medicine,” said Jeffrey R. Boscamp, M.D., Dean of HMSOM. “By training physician-scientists who can bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient care, we are preparing our graduates to lead innovation and improve outcomes.”

Unlike traditional M.D./Ph.D. programs that require extended time and resources, the new Master’s pathway offers an efficient, cost-effective alternative. Students will spend a dedicated year working in a research lab of their choice, supported by tailored coursework in translational science, biomedical methods, and grant writing. The year will culminate in an original research thesis.

The program draws upon the vast resources of Hackensack Meridian Health’s 18-hospital network and its Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), giving students access to leading-edge translational research.

“This program represents the future of medical education,” said Stanley R. Terlecky, Ph.D., Vice Dean of Research and Professor of Medical Sciences, who spearheaded development of the initiative. “We are creating physician-scientists who can immediately apply research insights to improve patient outcomes.”

The effort was supported by Zhiyong Han, Ph.D., assistant dean of Research and professor of Medical Sciences, and Michael Oppenheim, manager in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. The program also received endorsements from David Perlin, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of the CDI, and Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., president of Academics, Research and Innovation for Hackensack Meridian Health.

The new program is the first internally developed graduate degree at HMSOM since the school received full accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in 2021. It compliments the school’s existing dual-degree partnerships in biomedical engineering, business administration, and public health.

Graduates will be positioned for competitive residencies and careers in academic medicine while developing skills essential to advancing medical discovery.

Applications for the inaugural class will open in the coming months, with the first cohort set to begin in summer 2026.