Admission Requirements
Applications for January 2024 are now Closed
The Master of Medical Studies (MMS) is an online, asynchronous, Distance Learning Program with no in-Canada requirements for students. It is designed to give students the freedom to work through their course material and research on their own time.
GOAL: To train physicians to do research relevant to their communities.
Coming soon:
- Expanded eligibility requirements: Apply with a Health Sciences-related Bachelor’s Degree.
- New: Choose either a course-based option or the existing thesis option.
Note: On the approval of the Post-Graduate Program Director, physicians currently enrolled in a NOSM University post-graduate residency program will also be eligible for admission to the MMS program.
Additional information for international applicants:
- Study Permits cannot be issued for this program.
- Following completion of this program, international students will not be eligible for Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.
- International students must enroll as a full-time student.
- Are you currently in Canada or planning on coming to Canada for a clinical or research fellowship? You can apply to the program as an international student.
Application overview:
1. RequirementsEnsure you meet the admission requirements listed below for the Master of Medical Studies Program. All application documents must be received by the Office of Admissions and Learner Recruitment to be considered a complete application. Please ensure you reach out to your referees in a timely manner so they can also meet the application deadline. |
2. DeadlinesApplications are now closed for a January 2024 start date. The September 2024 application cycle will open January 26, 2024 and close April 10, 2024 Different components of the application may take extra time to complete, especially for international applicants. It is therefore suggested that applicants start some processes in advance of the due date. Review each application component below for suggested time frames.
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Requirements
Click on the + to see details on each application requirement.
Citizenship
Notarized/certified copies must not be older than two years from the application submission deadline; otherwise, a new notarized/certified copy is required.
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Obtaining notarization and proof of citizenship documents should begin 3 weeks in advance of application closure.
Curriculum Vitae
You are required to upload a copy of your most current CV. Please ensure it is in .pdf format
An academic CV should include the following:
- Contact Information
- Education
- Professional Appointments
- Publications
- Awards and Honors
- Grants and Fellowships
- Conferences
MD degree and MD transcript
Applicants must possess a Canadian MD degree or equivalent to apply to this program.
NOTE: If the language of instruction is not English, the transcript must be accompanied by a certified literal translation to English.
Domestic Transcript (From Canada & USA) Requirements
Your issuing institution must send a copy of your official transcript(s) directly to the NOSM University Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment via email to admissions@nosm.ca.
OR
a copy of your official transcript(s), in an envelope sealed and signed by the issuing institution’s Registrar Office can be mailed directly to:
NOSM University
Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Your official transcripts must be received by the Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment by the application deadline. For international applicants, it is advised to begin preparation 6 weeks in advance of application closure; for domestic, 3 to 4 weeks.
International (non-Canadian and non-USA) Transcript Requirements
Applicants with international (non-Canadian and non-USA) degrees must have their medical degree assessed and verified for Canadian equivalency by one of the following agencies:
- World Education Services (WES)
- Credential Evaluation Report, including a Course-by-Course analysis is required
- Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
- Credential Evaluation of the final medical diploma and final medical transcript is required
- PhysiciansApply
Your verified transcript(s) must be sent from the agency directly to the Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment and received by the application deadline. Transcripts sent by mail to NOSM University by the applicant will not be accepted and will be destroyed.
NOTE: WES and ECFMG evaluations often take several weeks to complete; it is strongly recommended that you request the required WES or ECFMG evaluation as soon as possible to ensure it is received by the Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment by the application deadline.
English proficiency test score, if applicable
The NOSM University Graduate Studies Programs accepts the following language tests with the required minimum scores as proof of English language proficiency:
Minimum English Proficiency Test Scores
Test Name | Minimum Score |
TOFEL – Computer Based Test of English as a Foreign Language |
230 overall score (with no component less than 17) |
TOFEL – Internet Based Test of English as a Foreign Language |
88 overall score (with no component less than 19 |
IELTS International English Language Testing System |
6.5 overall score (with no individual band lower than 6.0) |
CAEL Canadian Academic English Language Assessment |
70 overall score (with no part below 60) |
Test scores are valid for two years from the test date. It is advised to begin this process 6 to 8 weeks in advance of application closure.
You are required to upload test results (if applicable) with your application. Please ensure it is in .pdf format.
Three (3) academic letters of reference
Applicants are required to submit three (3) academic letters of reference.
The Academic Letter of Reference must include:
- your full name
- how long the referee has known you
- in what capacity the referee has known you
- the applicant’s academic or research experience
Requests for references should be sent to your referees as soon as possible to allow enough time for your referees to submit their reference by the deadline. Your application will not be considered complete until all three academic letters of reference have been received by the Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment.
Referees must send their Academic Letter of Reference directly to NOSM University’s Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment via email to admissions@nosm.ca.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the Office of Admissions & Learner Recruitment receives the three (3) required academic letters of reference by the deadline. All applicants are advised to approach their referees 4 weeks in advance and provide the details they will require to write the reference. Check back with the referees 2 weeks in advance of the deadline.
Identify up to three (3) potential Faculty Supervisors
International applicants: Please contact graduatestudies@nosm.ca to discuss your proposed research project. Depending on the nature of the research, there may be additional administrative requirements to complete.
A list of potential Supervisors and their contact information can be found on our website: Supervisors, Co-Supervisors, and Committee Members
Applicants should contact their proposed Supervisor ahead of time to secure their agreement. Applicants will only be accepted in the program if one of their proposed Supervisors agrees to supervise their thesis project.
Personal statement
You are required to upload a Personal Statement. Please ensure it is in .pdf format.
It must not exceed 500 words. It must include:
• a rationale for applying to the MMS program
• future application of the skills learned
• summary of previous research training (if any)
Proposed research statement
You are required to upload a Proposed research statement. Please ensure it is in .pdf format.
It must not exceed 250 words. It must include:
• overview of the proposed research
• rationale for the project
• the proposed location/area
Application fee: $100
A $1,000 tuition deposit is required to secure a spot in the program when an applicant accepts the offer of admission.
Additional information can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions.