Salus University is presently celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its Graduate Program in Biomedicine that leads participants to a graduate research degree as either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Master of Science (MSc). 

The fully accredited program allows students to develop the ability to become independent researchers in any area of health science, including: 

• Optometry 
• Audiology 
• Occupational Therapy 
• Physician Assistant Studies 
• Rehabilitation Sciences 
• Biological Sciences 
• Clinical Medicine 

Master’s and Doctoral graduate students in Biomedicine are trained and challenged to: 

• Use effective means of reviewing the literature 
• Find and master the most specific and sensitive research techniques 
• Produce and manage data with sensitivity to quality assurance 

• Understand ethical and confidentiality mandates 
• Publish findings using methods that maintain the integrity of the research and its interpretation 

From the Lab to Real Patients  

The program leader is Dr. Mitchell Scheiman, director of the Biomedicine program and dean of Research. He is a nationally recognized expert on binocular vision, pediatric optometry, and vision therapy. 

“We primarily work with students on clinical research and translational research,” Scheiman said. “The goal is to help them develop an idea or product in the lab and then translate it to real patients.” 

Deft Navigation of the Pandemic 

Scheiman described an interesting facet of the program: the relative ease with which students navigated COVID-19 quarantine that sent the U.S. education system scrambling. 

The Salus University PhD-MSc program transitioned online seamlessly because it was positioned as a virtual program from its very beginnings. 

“It was designed to be online to allow international students to get their degrees without the need to move to the United States,” Scheiman said. “We were well-positioned during COVID because it’s what we had been doing for years.” 

Scheiman explained that the offshore students work with mentors and in labs in their points of origin, doing their research. 

“It proved ideal because many of the enrolled students were in academia already,” he related. 

“They were looking to elevate their professional status or enhance their ability to do research. 

“Or they were private practitioners who wanted to explore research to benefit their patients and contribute to the overall academic literature on their specialties,” Scheiman explained. 

Class Dynamics Now 

When students at the Elkins Park campus took note of the program and wanted to participate as well, a domestic counterpart was added to accommodate them. 

According to Scheiman, nine students are currently enrolled: five from the U.S. and one each from China, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, and Nigeria. Five are remote — the U.S students, and four are in studying on-campus in Elkins Park. 

“The mix is interesting,” Scheiman said. “The U.S. participants want to study online, and the international participants want to come here and experience living in the U.S.” 

The domestic preference for virtual classwork is understandable because, as Scheiman illustrated, they are mid-career academicians juggling jobs and families.  

The Advantage of Diversity 

But Scheiman sees an advantage in their diversity.  

“We unite students with different professional careers and,” he said, “we get them working together. And it becomes very interesting what they learn from their individual professional experiences.” 

More on the Salus University biomedical advanced degree program is here.