We are now accepting applications for entry Summer 2024.
The MU Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) has been funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences since 2003. Our program strengthens the research skills and academic competitiveness of Scholars for pursuit of a PhD degree while also stimulating their interest in addressing the health problems that disproportionately affect minorities and the medically underserved in the United States.
PREP faculty mentors are drawn from all biomedical related life science units on campus. They are engaged in fundamental research projects that span all levels of biological organization, from molecules to populations.
Our PREP Scholars have come from the full range of academic institutions: small liberal arts colleges to large research universities. Many are from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Minority Serving Institutions.
Those Scholars said that they were attracted to MU PREP for its cutting-edge faculty research programs, its interdisciplinary research focus, our comprehensive research and professional development program for PREP Scholars, and because of the collegiality they saw among our Scholars when they visited campus.
Our former Scholars are very successful: 92% enrolled directly in graduate programs and 80% in PhD programs. Of those that enrolled in PhD programs, 93% have already received their PhD or are on track to do so. Those who received their PhD took on average 5.6 years to complete the degree, well below the national average of 6.9 years in the life sciences and 7.8 years for underrepresented minority PhD candidates in the life sciences.