This is the first version of the 2024–25 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The Master of Clinical Anatomy (MCA) program provides a comprehensive education focused on developing clinically relevant content knowledge in the anatomical sciences, including anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, and embryology. The degree is designed to prepare students who wish to advance to professional programs (e.g., MD, DDS, PA, DPT, etc.) or continue into educational professions or other health-related careers. The MCA program is well-suited for students looking to improve their competitive applications or who want to expand their understanding of the anatomical sciences to make a more informed career decision.
The professional Master of Clinical Anatomy (MCA) program requires a minimum of 32 s.h. of work that is distributed between required (25 s.h.) and elective (7 s.h.) coursework. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.00. The program is designed so that students can complete the requirements in a year and a half and provides clinically relevant content coupled with opportunities for experiential learning to develop skills in teaching and educational research. A portion of the curriculum is offered online to complement classroom and laboratory learning.
Students with a degree in a specific biological science (e.g., genetics) for which no formal coursework in basic gross anatomy has been completed may be required to take a prerequisite undergraduate anatomy course.
The Master of Clinical Anatomy requires the following coursework.
Required Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACB:5203 | Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students | 5 |
| ACB:5210 | General Histology Online | 4 |
| ACB:6252 | Functional Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| ACB:7001 | Teaching and Learning in the Anatomical Sciences | 2 |
| ACB:7002 | Seminar in Anatomical Sciences (taken twice for 1 s.h. each) | 2 |
| ACB:7010 | Anatomy Through Imaging | 2 |
| ACB:7020 | Human Embryology Online | 2 |
| ACB:7500 | Case-Based Learning 1 | 2 |
| ACB:7600 | Case-Based Learning 2 | 2 |
Electives
Students select at least 7 s.h. in elective coursework.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACB:5206 | Graduate Research in Cell and Developmental Biology (may earn 1-3 s.h. in addition to required course) | 1-3 |
| ACB:7020 | Human Embryology Online | 2 |
| ACB:7400 | Practicum in College Teaching for Master of Clinical Anatomy (may earn 1-2 s.h. in addition to required course) | 1-2 |
| ACB:7401 | Advanced Human Anatomy | 4 |
| ACB:7402 | Teaching Elective in Regional Anatomy | 2 |
| ACB:8401 | Advanced Human Anatomy | 4 |
| ACB:8402 | Teaching Elective in Regional Anatomy | 2 |
| GRAD:7385 | Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | 3 |
| MED:8403 | Teaching Skills for Medical Students | 4 |
| PSQF:6205 | Design of Instruction | 3 |
| Other coursework with MCA program approval | 1-3 | |
Research/Education Project
Students successfully present their research/education project in November of their second year.
Capstone Assessment
The capstone assessment is the final formal examination that students are required to pass in order to graduate from the MCA program. The exam is held in the fall semester of the second year and is comprised of a series of hands-on/interactive, case-based assessment tasks that take place across multiple stations. Each station intentionally tests the critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills developed by students during the MCA program while allowing them to demonstrate graduate-level expertise in the anatomical sciences by integrating content knowledge from each of the foundational areas studied during the program: gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy, embryology, and anatomical imaging.
Applicants must:
- have a BA or BS degree with a strong science background;
- have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00;
- provide three letters of reference/support;
- submit a personal statement;
- be available for an interview with the MCA faculty, and;
- submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (only the iBT—Internet-Based Test is accepted with a total score of 93 and a speaking score of 26) and the test must have been taken within the last two years, or submit a current acceptable score from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if an international applicant and if English is not student's first language.
Optional for applicants:
- an external performance exam from the last five years, such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
Application deadline is May 22.
For detailed application instructions and forms, visit the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology website.
Graduates are prepared for a variety of anatomical sciences education settings that include advanced professional study, faculty/lectureship positions in medicine, and allied health care fields at community colleges. Some will want to continue their studies within a health care profession, others may want to prepare for college-level teaching, and others may want to pursue a career in anatomical sciences.