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Students at Desk

Health Science and Medical Career Pathway Programs For College Students

MCW offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs that provides intense research or clinical exposure to students. Some programs focus on providing support with the medical or graduate school application process to promote the success of participants as they pursue these career avenues.
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Browse Our Academic Year College Programs

Programs are listed in order of term.
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Masters in Medical Physiology - MMP (Year Long Term)

Program Description:
Master’s in Medical Physiology (MMP)

The Master’s Program in Medical Physiology at MCW is a one-year program designed for a college graduate looking to strengthen their academic credentials for medical school and other health professional programs. 

  • Includes MCW School of Medicine courses and exams
  • Includes MCAT preparation and access to additional clinical, research, and volunteering experiences
  • Conditional admissions interviews to the MCW School of Medicine and MCW School of Pharmacy
  • Small cohort size to ensure each student receives the personalized academic advising and career development
  • Graduates of this program will have a solid foundation for medical school, other health professional or biomedical research programs, and jobs in academia, industry, or government positions, as supported by our strong placement data

View MMP Program Site 

Career Path:
Medicine

Stipend?:
No

Eligibility:
All who have completed a bachelor’s degree, looking to strengthen their academic credentials in preparation or medical school and other health professional programs

Application:

  • Application opens January 1
  • Application due March 1 (early decision)
  • May 30 (regular decision deadline)
MMP Application
Term:
Year long academic year graduate program

Contact Information:
Denise Cook-Snyder
dcooksnyder@mcw.edu
(414) 955-2352
Program for Undergraduate Research Experience - PURE (Fall and Spring Terms)

Program Description:
Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE)

The Program for Undergraduate Research (PURE) offered by the MCW Graduate School is a non-paid, experiential-based program for undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college/university. Applicants to PURE who are chosen for the program will be placed with a MCW faculty mentor who will provide varying levels of exposure to basic, translational and population research.

Visit PURE Program site
Career Path:

Biomedical Research, Medicine, Health Sciences

Stipend?
No

Eligibility:
  • All undergraduate students able to travel to MCW Milwaukee on a weekly basis
  • 3.0 GPA
  • At least 18 years old by time of program 
  • Be able to dedicate at least 8 hours per week to faculty mentor
  • Located in Southeast Wisconsin and can travel to MCW
  • Enrolled in a STEM-related major
Application:
Rolling, but suggested due date one month prior to start of semester

PURE Application
Term:

Spring and Fall semester

Contact Information:
Anthony Perez
anperez@mcw.edu

Kelly Angone
kangone@mcw.edu
pure@mcw.edu
Biomedical engineering Undergraduate Internship for Learning and Discovery - BUILD (Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms)

Program Description:
Biomedical engineering Undergraduate Internship for Learning and Discovery (BUILD)

BUILD is a program designed to provide full-time research opportunities for enrolled undergraduate engineering students with practical experience in a research laboratory environment at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Students who participate and perform well in the internship program may be invited to participate in a three-semester Co-op position.

  • All students will be given hands-on experience working on biomedical research projects and exposed to biomedical engineering practices, including but not limited to the design and fabrication of medical research devices. In addition, Students will be introduced to new technologies, cutting-edge research, and exciting laboratory practices, guided by highly skilled preceptors and established faculty investigators
  • BUILD participants generally continue their education in medical school, work in industry or academia as research and development engineers, or enter graduate school in programs such as patent law, biomedical engineering, or biological sciences
View BUILD Program site

Career Path:
Biomedical Engineering

Stipend?:
Yes

Eligibility:

  • Open to all undergraduate Engineering students
  • 3.0 Undergraduate GPA in Engineering Program
  • Junior standing
  • U.S. Citizen
Application:
Applications accepted in Handshake the semester prior to participation

BUILD Application
Term:
Positions available in Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
Internship length - Summer: 10 weeks, Fall/Spring internships: 16 weeks

Contact Information:
Bonnie Freudinger
bfreudin@mcw.edu
Genetic Counseling Career Research and Exploration Workshop - GC-CREW (Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms) 

Program Description:
Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop (GC-CREW)

The Genetic Counseling Career Research & Exploration Workshop (GC-CREW) is offered by the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program (MSGC) at the Medical College of Wisconsin. This is a virtual, group workshop for undergraduates, recent graduates and those interested in pursuing a career in genetic counseling. This is a free workshop that is offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. The GC-CREW is intended for individuals who would like to gain an in-depth exposure to the field and are interested in becoming a genetic counselor. The objectives are:

  • Learn more about the career of a genetic counselor and the prenatal, cancer and cardiovascular genetics specialties
  • Identify the components of a genetic counseling session
  • Illustrate basic genetic counseling skills
  • Gain a deeper appreciation for the patient experience
  • Network with genetic counselors in the field
  • Career mentorship and guidance for applying to graduate school
  • Fee waived for MCW Graduate School application

View GC-CREW Program site 
Career Path:
Genetic Counseling

Stipend?
No

Eligibility:

  • All undergraduate juniors and seniors, or those who have completed a bachelor’s degree
  • 3.0 undergraduate GPA
  • Currently enrolled or completed a college level biology course, preference may be given to applicants who have also taken genetics coursework.
  • High-speed internet access and computer with web-camera

Application:

  • Spring 2025 Application opens 8/16, closes 12/15
  • Summer 2025 Application opens 12/16, closes 5/1
  • Fall 2025 Application opens 5/2, closes 8/15

GC-CREW Application
Terms:
Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms

Contact Information:

Sara Linn, MS, CGC
slinn@mcw.edu
gccrew@mcw.edu
College Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions - StEP-UP (Begins October)

Program Description:
College Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions (StEP-UP)

StEP-UP aims to provide support to local undergraduate students who are members of historically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in the health science professions. Undergraduate students in StEP-UP move through the program in a supportive cohort that supplements their pre-medicine and biomedical studies through each year of college.

Students will get opportunities to:

  • Work with MCW faculty and medical and graduate students
  • Participate in the peer mentoring program
  • Shadow a physician
  • Receive free MCAT prep materials and coaching
  • Reimbursement of the cost of taking one MCAT exam
  • Partake in mock interviews
  • Engage in teambuilding and other hands-on activities

View StEP-UP Program Site

Career Path:
Health Science, Medicine, Research

Stipend?:
Yes; for serving as a peer-mentor during your last year of the program

Eligibility:

  • 3.0 final high school or current undergraduate GPA
  • Entering college freshman or sophomore
  • Open to students enrolled at any accredited institution of higher education in Wisconsin, who are able to attend group sessions at the MCW Milwaukee campus

Application:

  • Applications for the upcoming academic year open on May 1
  • Application deadline is September 30 each year
College StEP-UP Application
Term:

Academic year program with four year curriculum

Contact Information:
Program Contact Information
Crystal Jushka
Cjushka@mcw.edu
stepup@mcw.edu
Advocates in Medicine Pathway - AMP (Begins January)
Program Description:
Advocates in Medicine Pathway (AMP)

The Advocates in Medicine Pathway (AMP) program is a year-long medical school pathway program that supports the professional development of individuals from rural and economically or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in attending medical school and ultimately practicing primary care medicine in rural Wisconsin. AMP aims to promote a diverse future healthcare workforce built around resilience, relationships, and system-based knowledge.

View AMP Program Site

Career Path:
Medicine

Stipend?:

Eligibility:

  • By the start of the program, applicants must have junior or senior standing or have already attained a Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Have a strong interest in attending medical school
  • Plan to apply to medical school in the next 1-2 years
  • Interest in rural medicine
  • Preference given to students who come from environmentally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those who wish to practice medicine in North Central Wisconsin

Application:
Applications accepted from February 10th - March 30th, 2025
 
AMP Application
Term:
Program runs from September - August each year

Contact Information:
Ashley Nichols
North Central WI AHEC, Education and Outreach Coordinator
(715) 203-2201
anichols@nahec-wi.org

Amy Prunuske, PhD
aprunuske@mcw.edu

Nicole Thill
North Central Wisconsin AHEC, Executive Director 
(715) 849-2432
nthill@nahec-wi.org

Browse Our Summer College Programs

Programs are listed in order of term.
ODI visiting students
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Summer Cancer Disparities Research Program (Begins May)

Program Description:
Summer Cancer Disparities Research Program

Summer Interns participate in a core cancer education curriculum, weekly goal setting and discussion of works in progress. Students also participate in a variety of experiences:

  • Shadowing basic scientists in their labs
  • Participating in community events in the field
  • Targeted mentored experience on an ongoing project in a chosen area of interest.
  • Trainees complete and create a presentation on a particular topic related to cancer and cancer disparities in Southeastern Wisconsin

View Summer Cancer Disparities Research Program Site 

Career Path:
Public Health, Research, Medicine

Stipend?:
Yes

Eligibility:

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Open to students at all undergraduate institutions
Application:
  • Opens November 1
  • Closes December 1
  • Online Application through Milwaukee Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
Wisconsin Area Health Education Center Application Site
Term:
Program runs late May through early August

Contact Information:

Kathleen O’Connell
kaoconnell@mcw.edu

Melinda Stolley, PhD
mstolley@mcw.edu
Diversity Summer Health-Related Research Education Program - DSHREP (Begins May)

Program Description:
Diversity Summer Health-Related Research Education Program (DSHREP)

DSHREP is a competitive program designed to provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students who are members of historically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups in the health science professions.

During this ten-week program, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Be an active member of a research team
  • Explore career opportunities in research and health professions
  • Benefit from a stimulating environment of education and mentoring
  • Attend weekly lectures on innovative topics
  • Understand the educational pathways leading to your chosen health profession
  • Build relationships with pre-med students from across the U.S.
  • Participate in professional development sessions

View DSHREP Program Site 

Stipend?:

  • $4,998 split into 3 payments
  • Housing offered to those living outside of the Milwaukee Metro area

Eligibility:

  • 3.4 Undergraduate Science and Math GPA Required
  • Completion of at least one year of college (three courses per academic term)
  • Open to students at all undergraduate institutions

Application:

  • Opens November 1
  • Closes February 1
DSHREP Application
Term:
Program runs late May through early August

Contact Information:
Ricardo Aguilar
raguilar@mcw.edu 
Studentdiversity@mcw.edu

American Heart Association Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences - SURE (Begins May)

Program Description:
American Heart Association Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE)

The Cardiovascular Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has up to 4 paid summer research fellowships available during the summer (late May to early August) for undergraduates who belong to underrepresented groups in science and medicine or LGBTQ+. We are seeking undergraduate students who are interested in STEMM or biomedical careers for 10 weeks of hands-on experience in cardiovascular research within our laboratories, professional skill building, and seminars focused on STEMM careers, how to apply to medical school and other allied health programs, and how to navigate graduate and medical school.

View SURE Program Site

Career Path:
Biomedical Research, Medicine, Allied Health Careers

Stipend?:

  • $6,000 split into payments
  • Housing provided for those outside of the metro Milwaukee area (unless there is a special need)
  • One-time roundtrip airfare to/from Milwaukee airport to allow students who are located more than four hours from Milwaukee to relocate for the summer to attend the program

Eligibility:

  • At least 18 years old by time of program
  • Full-time rising sophomore, junior, or senior at any U.S. (or U.S. territories) college or university
  • United States citizen, permanent resident, or a foreign national holding a student, exchange or permanent resident visa, including an F-1, H1, H1B, J1, PR, TC or TN visa, with approved OPT or CPT before appointment.
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status requires additional AHA approval to apply
  • GPA is considered as a part of a holistic review of each application
  • Interested In science or health care-related field, especially cardiovascular science and medicine

Application:
Applications due February 1

SURE PROGRAM APPLICATION

Term:
Program runs from the end of May through early August

Contact Information:
Allison DeVan, PhD, MA
Director of Training and Education, AHA SURE
adevan@mcw.edu

Erin Theriault, MS
Program Manager, AHA SURE
etheriault@mcw.edu
Summer Program for Undergraduate Research- SPUR (Begins May)

Program Description:
Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

SPUR offers hands on research experience for undergraduates interested in biomedical science. The program has hosted hundreds of students who have since made significant contributions to science and humanity through their current positions as teachers, instructors, professors, researchers, industry professionals, government leaders and clinicians. SPUR hosts roughly 35-40 participants each summer from across the country who gain valuable research experience, refine critical thinking skills, build upon academic and professional networks and are introduced to various disciplines of science.

View SPUR Program Site 

Career Path:
Biomedical Research, Medicine, Health Sciences

Stipend?:

  • $4,500 split into two payments
  • Housing provided for those outside of the metro Milwaukee area

Eligibility:

  • All undergraduate students
  • 3.2 GPA
  • At least 18 years old by time of program
  • Entering college freshman or sophomore
Applications:
  • Application opens October 1
  • Application closes February 1

SPUR Application
Term:
Program runs from the end of May through early August

Contact Information:

Kelly Angone
kangone@mcw.edu

spur@mcw.edu

Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE) - Begins May

Program Description:
Advancing Student Potential for Inclusion with Research Experiences (ASPIRE)

The Cardiovascular Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has up to 13 paid summer research fellowships available during the summer (late May to early August) for undergraduates who belong to underrepresented groups in science and medicine. We are seeking undergraduate students who are interested in STEMM or biomedical careers for 10 weeks of hands-on experience in cardiovascular research within our laboratories, professional skill building, and seminars focused on STEMM careers, how to apply to medical school and other allied health programs, and how to navigate graduate and medical school.

ASPIRE PROGRAM SITE 

Career Path:
Graduate School in Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, Allied Health Careers, General Interest in Gaining Research Experience for STEMM Career

Stipend?:

  • $6,000 split into payments
  • Housing provided for those outside of the metro Milwaukee area (unless there is a special need)
  • One-time roundtrip airfare to/from Milwaukee airport to allow students who are located more than four hours from Milwaukee (and originating from a location in the U.S. or its territories) to relocate for the summer to attend the program
  • $1,400 stipend to attend optional scientific conference with faculty mentor

Eligibility:

  • At least 18 years old by time of program
  • Actively-enrolled and must have completed at least one undergraduate year at an accredited U.S. (or U.S. territories) college or university (rising sophomore, junior, or senior)
  • United States citizen or permanent resident
  • GPA is considered as a part of a holistic review of each application
  • Interested in STEMM or health care-related career, especially cardiovascular science or medicine
Application:
  • Applications due February 1
SUMMER PROGRAM APPLICATION
Term:

Program runs from late May through early August

Contact Information:

Allison DeVan, PhD, MA
Scientific Administrator
adevan@mcw.edu

Erin Theriault, MS
Program Manager,
etheriault@mcw.edu
CTSI 500 Stars (Begins June)

Program Description:
500 Stars

The CTSI 500 Stars Initiative is a ten-year, comprehensive, multi-institutional, and community-focused, education and workforce diversity plan, with the overarching objective of replenishing, while increasing diversity in the translational science workforce. Student family members are essential to career achievement and success; as such, the program also engages family members throughout the entire student experience.

  • Direct, hands-on, professional experiences in clinical and translational science settings at CTSI partner and collaborator sites, and community
  • Well- established regional partners to move the translational workforce along existing regional diversity pipelines. Our
  • Direct and supportive roles in the educational and workforce diversity pipeline
View 500 Stars Program Site

Career Path:
Multi-Institutional, Multi-Career Path

Stipend?:
Yes

Eligibility:

  • High school, college, and graduate students in Milwaukee Metro area
  • 3.0 GPA

Application:

  • Applications open November 1
  • Applications due February 1
500 Stars Application
Term:
Program runs mid June through early August

Contact Information:
CTSI500stars@mcw.edu