Office of Graduate Studies

- Education Overview
- Leadership
  UNMC Graduate Studies is lead by a diverse group of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing health science education at UNMC.
- Awards and Recognition
  The Office of Graduate Studies celebrates the accomplishments of graduate students who go above and beyond.
- Students of Distinction
  The Graduate Students of Distinction award is reserved for students who receive national and international recognition.
- Learning Outcomes
  Each of the five Graduate Studies Learning Outcomes fulfill one or more of UNMC’s Institutional Learning Outcomes.
- Annual Report
  View our major accomplishments on our journey of positively impacting the nation’s supply of research scientists, educators and leaders.
- Contact Us
  Contact the Office of Graduate Studies however is easiest for you. Normal office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
- Admissions Overview
- - Steps to Admission
    Review the process to join UNMC Graduate Studies, from application to enrollment.
  - Non-Degree Students
    We offer flexibility in non-degree courses for students looking to further professional abilities, advance workplace skills, or simply learn something new.
  - Intercampus Enrollment
    Students within the University of Nebraska are able to take courses at other NU campuses to fulfill degree requirements for their home college.
- - Incoming Students
    Review important steps to complete as you prepare for your first day of classes at UNMC.
  - Matriculation Ceremony
    Build a community of fellow students who will become invaluable friends and teammates as you work toward your advanced degrees.
  - Incoming Student Survival Guide
    This guide was created by UNMC graduate students to aid incoming students and help them achieve success as they acclimate to our campus.
  - Moving to Omaha
    When you’re not hitting the books, the Omaha metro offers plenty of options to comfortably accommodate your lifestyle.
- - English Proficiency
    UNMC graduate courses are advanced and require a firm understanding of the English language in order to best succeed.
  - Equivalent Degrees
    Review a list of international degrees that are considered equivalent to a four-year Bachelor’s degree in the United States.
  - Financial Resources
    International students who wish to gain an F-1 or J-1 visa must be able to provide evidence of financial support for the first year of study.
  - Immigration and Visas
    We’ll pair you with an International Student Advisor to help you through the process of obtaining a student visa.
- - Costs and Funding
    At UNMC, we work to make our tuition affordable year after year. Review opportunities for financing your graduate degree.
  - Assistantships/Fellowships
    Review eligibility criteria and deadlines to apply for a Graduate Studies Research Assistantship or Fellowship at UNMC.
  - External Funding Opportunities
    Many outside corporations, businesses, and agencies provide funding for graduate students. We offer additional incentives for successful applications.
  - Office of Financial Aid
    The Office of Financial Aid manages financial aid distribution, UNMC scholarships and grants, and veteran and military education benefits.
- Programs Overview
- - Business for Bioscientists
    The Business for Bioscientists Certificate is designed to provide you with a fundamental background in business to enhance employment opportunities and success.
  - Health Professions Teaching and Technology
    This certificate provides health professions educators with a foundation in health science education, teaching skills, and the science of teaching.
  - Applied Health Informatics
    This certificate prepares healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to effectively apply health informatics in practice to improve patient care.
  - Heathcare Quality Improvement
    Through this certificate, health care professionals will engage in the application and utility of quality improvement to optimize healthcare service delivery.
- - The Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area Program (MSIA)
    The MSIA is intended for those who wish to pursue individually designed programs of an interdisciplinary nature within the medical sciences.
  - MS Degree Timeline
    Review UNMC’s Master’s degree timeline and make sure you stay on track to graduate.
  - Individual Programs
    A Master’s degree from UNMC Graduate Studies can help you gain the additional skills you need to take your health sciences career to the next level
- - The Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area Program (MSIA)
    The MSIA is intended for those who wish to pursue individually designed programs of an interdisciplinary nature within the medical sciences.
  - Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGPBS)
    This programs consists of seven interdisciplinary doctoral programs with over 200 participating research faculty from 32 basic science and clinical departments.
  - Individual Programs
    As a doctoral student, you will work with faculty members who are global leaders in health science innovation.
  - PhD Degree Timeline
    Review UNMC’s Doctoral degree timeline and make sure you stay on track to graduate.
- - Institutional Training Grant Programs for Doctoral Students
    UNMC's institutional training grant programs offer enhanced, specialized experience on top of your doctoral program coursework.
  - Institutional Training Grants Definition
    Find out what institutional training grants are and the types available at UNMC for doctoral students.
  - Benefits of Participating
    Discover how working on one of our training grants can advance your career and set you up for success.
- Professional Development Overview
- - Career Counseling
    Our counselors can provide you with additional insight, information, and perspectives on career opportunities and professions.
  - Proficiency and Certificate Programs
    These non-degree programs enhance your background and create further career opportunities and possibilities upon graduation.
  - Individual Development Plan (IDP)
    Establishing an Individual Development Plan will give you the tools to reach your professional goals and make sure you stay on track.
  - On-Line Career Training Platform
    Log into Beyond the Professoriate's career training platform to explore career options and prepare for careers inside and outside academia.
- - Dissertation & Thesis Boot Camps
    Whether you can't find a good place to begin or are simply procrastinating, UNMC's Dissertation and Thesis Boot Camps are here to help.
  - Teaching Skills
    UNMC Graduate Studies has a variety of opportunities for you to obtain and grow the teaching skills needed to thrive as an educator.
  - Workshops and Seminars
    Our workshops, presentations and seminars bolster you with an extra edge for present and future professional ventures, regardless of the career you choose.
  - Lunch & Learn
    The Professional Development Lunch and Learn Series provides you with various seminar topics to help develop professional skills.
- - Service-Learning and Professional Development Badge Program
    A program that empowers graduate students to document their learning from time devoted to a wide range of activities, many of which occur outside of the laboratory or classroom, that supplement their education, support professional development, and enhance career preparation.
  - Transferable Skills Digital Badge Program
    Online microcredentials not for academic credit that allow you to showcase your achievements and skills gained through co-curricular learning experiences. Digital badges can be displayed on social media platforms. Time spent earning these digital badges is automatically applied to the Service Learning and Professional Development Badge Program.

Leadership

The Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area (MSIA) Graduate Program Committee is composed of one chair and seven Sub-plan Directors, and Sub-plan Committee Members. These serve as the program's governing and administrative body. Members listed below represent MSIA on the UNMC Graduate Council.

MSIA Program Leadership

Joshua Santarpia, PhD

Professor, UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
Research Director, Chemical and Biological Programs, National Strategic Research Institute

MSIA Chair

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Santarpia Laboratory

Joshua Santarpia, PhD

Nancy Adams

Interim Chair, Oral Biology, UNMC College of Dentistry
Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Biology

MSIA Oral Biology Sub-plan Director

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Nancy Adams, PhD

Elizabeth Beam, PhD, RN, FAAN

Director of Global Health
HEROES Program Director
Associate Professor, UNMC College of Nursing
Education Researcher, UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators, Academic Affairs

MSIA Health Practice and Medical Education Research Sub-plan Director

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Phone: 402-559-6547

Elizabeth Beam, PhD, RN

Eric C. Carnes, PhD

Associate Professor, UNMC Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health
Fellow, National Strategic Research Institute, University of Nebraska

MSIA Biological Defense and Health Security Sub-plan Director

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Phone: 505-350-6538

Eric Carnes, PhD

Carol Casey, PhD

Professor, UNMC Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

MSIA Clinically Relevant Basic Research Sub-plan Director

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Phone: 402-995-3737

Carol Casey, PhD

Anthony Podany, PharmD, PhD

Associate Professor, UNMC Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science

MSIA Clinical & Translational Research Mentored Scholars Sub-plan Director

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Phone: 402-559-1939
Fax: 402-559-5673

Anthony Podany

Nicole M. Rodriguez, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA

Professor, MMI iCASD
Director, MMI Doctoral Applied Behavior Analysis Program
Director of Early Intervention, MMI iCASD
Board Certified Behavior Analyst

MSIA Applied Behavior Analysis Sub-Plan Director

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Phone: 402-559-8863

Nicole M. Rodriguez, PhD, BCBA-D

Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD

Professor
Chair, PT Global Health Opportunities Program

MSIA Patient-Oriented Research Sub-plan Director

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Phone: 402-559-8464

Ka-Chun (Joseph) Siu, PhD