Biomedical Graduate Education
As a Biomedical Graduate Education (BGE) student, you’ll join a community of scholars across many disciplines in the health sciences. You will be immersed in an academic culture that fosters the thrill of discovery alongside the duty to care for patients and build a healthier world. Through intensive courses, hands-on experience, and collaboration with peers and faculty experts, you will gain mastery of skills in your field and a deep understanding of how to apply them to make an impact.
Special Master’s Program in Physiology & Biophysics
Since 1975, the Special Master’s Program (SMP) has been the foremost graduate program dedicated to strengthening students’ credentials for medical school. In this one-year accelerated program, you will study alongside Georgetown School of Medicine M-1 students and will receive individualized advising to support your med school applications. More than 85% of SMP graduates are admitted into medical schools across the country.
The GTDT Experience
The SMP’s Georgetown Downtown (GTDT) cohort on the Capitol Campus features smaller class sizes, self-directed learning, and a focus on clinical shadowing and volunteer activities in the community.
A Testimonial
“You take medical school courses and [get] graded against medical school students to really show what you can do in that rigorous medical environment. You also are going to get advising and support through the program as well as through all of your medical school applications.” -SMP Director Jennifer Whitney
Building Careers in Medicine
“During the SMP year I learned from passionate professors and studied alongside supportive peers. … This program has allowed me to find the confidence and skills to handle the academic rigor of medical school.”
“I was floored by the enormous amount of support I received from the SMP faculty members as early as the first day of orientation. … Being a member of this community of hardworking and driven students increased my motivation to continue to work towards my personal dream.”
“I applied for the Special Master’s Program after not receiving a single medical school interview. … I credit my successes as a medical student to what I learned both about physiology and about myself during my SMP year.”
Serving the Community
SMP GTDT students make a difference while studying. Through the Biomedical Career Explorations course, past classes have attended community first aid trainings, hosted fundraiser tournaments, staffed disability community events, and shadowed surgeons, physicians and first responders.
A Unique Experience
Learn more about the opportunities you’ll have to learn and give back as an SMP student.
Practice medical procedures in the SimLab and hands-on skills sessions.
Polish your medical school application with personalized advising and a letter of recommendation.
Gain a broader perspective on health while helping others around the Washington, DC, area.
SMP in Action
Students met three-time Paralympian Trevon Jenifer, tried a new sport and helped to raise nearly $12,000 for people with spinal cord injuries or disease in the D.C. area.
Katherine Chavez Carpio, who gained experience with Catholic Charities, the Red Cross and a volunteer fire department before her SMP GTDT studies, is featured as one of BGE’s outstanding international…