From Transaction to Transformation

When Program Director Jacob Brewer, PhD, DPT, PT, NCS, describes the distinctly Christian perspective of Baylor University’s online Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS) program, the first word that comes to mind is “intentional.” He references 17^th century French monk Brother Lawrence, who broke down the walls of the secular and the sacred and found a holy purpose in his ordinary work.

“At Baylor, we’re called to be ambassadors for Christ in whatever role we’re operating in, whether it’s administrative director or faculty instructor or staff,” Brewer said. “So it really starts with the team.”

For Brother Lawrence, the ordinary work that took on purpose and devotion included cooking and cleaning. For the MSMS team, it’s email exchanges, Zoom calls, course delivery, and reference letters. It’s checking in on a student struggling with a course or experiencing a personal challenge and celebrating graduation at the end-of-semester banquet. The intentional, genuine care of the Baylor MSMS team is a direct result of each individual’s faith commitment and dedication to fostering a compassionate, encouraging environment.

Beyond the relationships and interactions, the Baylor MSMS coursework—like Medical Ethics from a Christian Perspective—and course delivery are intentionally crafted as well. 

“We teach really difficult classes—like advanced human anatomy, biochemistry, clinical research and evidence-based medicine—but the Christian worldview is permeated through those, like in the way we handle questions or our demeanor,” Brewer said. “It’s not a forceful or proselytizing manner, but in a gentle and convicted way that we can make a difference.”

At the end of the day, while the Christian perspective of Baylor’s program may be a draw for some students, the pursuit of a Master of Science in Medical Science degree is typically undertaken for a singular purpose—to elevate credentials and prepare for application to medical or other health professional schools. In this sense, a one-year 100% online medical science graduate degree becomes a very transactional encounter. However, in the Baylor MSMS program, Brewer and his team’s goal is to make that transaction more of a transformation.

By creating a transformational educational experience, Brewer argues, you are not softening curriculum or sacrificing rigor. Instead, the Baylor MSMS approach is actually enhancing potential outcomes for students.

“We’ve had students that are so intelligent and capable with high MCAT scores and GPAs, and they’re perplexed about why they didn’t get into medical school,” Brewer shared. “But at the end of our program, they say, ‘I know why now. I’m a different person after this program.’”

Brewer describes students who have the academic aptitude for medical school but were lacking the spiritual insight and the emotional intelligence that the Baylor MSMS program develops in them. 

“There are plenty of transactional ‘plug and play’ programs out there. At Baylor, our program has the content, but it also has the attitudes—self-awareness, comprehensiveness, penetration of that content, flexibility,” Brewer said. “We’re teaching how to examine, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and create.”

The Christian values and heritage that drive the Baylor MSMS program philosophy are appreciated by those who both share Brewer’s Christian faith as well as those who do not. The program is home to students from a wide range of religious and non-religious backgrounds, and Brewer is committed to fostering an inclusive community where all students feel welcome and supported.

Brewer and his team are upfront about their faith and the University’s Christian mission, but they are not seeking to evangelize. Their goal is to make the Baylor MSMS program the best academic and personal experience for every student, regardless of their background.

“You can be very indirect and casual and not specific about anything, but your demeanor could be offensive,” Brewer explained. “Or you can be very direct and specific about the belief system and the theological foundations of the University, but because you present them compassionately, it’s palatable. This is our goal.”

In the Baylor MSMS program, the “Christian perspective” is not a bullet point or a tag on. Instead, it holistically inspires and is integrated throughout the very foundations of the program. By integrating Christian faith and values through personal interactions, course content, and educational philosophy, the MSMS team fosters a caring online community where students are not just educated—they are transformed.

“Scripture talks about letting your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven,” Brewer said. “The frontline aspect of healthcare is exciting and very intellectually challenging – but it is often also sweaty, smelly, messy, painful, and even bloody. When our students get outside of academia, they’re going to face real challenges. And we are preparing them to meet the world’s needs.”

ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.