Clinical Research (MS)

Admissions

Admissions Criteria

• Candidates who are U.S. Citizens, non-citizen nationals, or lawfully admitted permanent residents of the U.S., or individuals who already hold a J-1, H1-B, or F1 transfer visa.
• Candidates who possess a high level of interest and potential for the pursuit of innovative clinical and translational research as a major focus of career plan.
• Candidates with long-term goals of entering a clinical research career.

Along with the candidate’s individual qualifications, preference will be given to the following:

• Candidates with departments that provide the staff, research support, and facilities to create a high quality environment for the conduct of clinical research during and after the candidates complete their training.
• Candidates with distinguished personal qualifications of past academic and research efforts, publications, and references.
• Candidates with departments or program directors assuring that the candidates will be able to engage in 50-75% protected time for at least two years in order to participate in their program.
• Candidates with an advanced clinical degree (MD, DMD, PharmD, etc.)

Financial Assistance

All students are responsible for their own tuition

Degree Requirements

Required courses

The Master of Science in Clinical Research curriculum is comprised of 13 credits of required core coursework:

CLRES 2005 - COMPUTER METHODS FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH  

CLRES 2010 - CLINICAL RESEARCH METHODS  

CLRES 2020 - BIOSTATISTICS  

CLRES 2040 - MEASUREMENT IN CLINICAL RESEARCH  

 CLRES 2071 ADVANCED GRANT WRITING PART 1  and CLRES 2072 - ADVANCED GRANT WRITING PART 2  

CLRES 2080 - MASTERS THESIS RESEARCH .

Specialty Track Requirements: 

In additional to the core courses that are required for all MS students, trainees must complete the requirements of one of the five specialty tracks listed below:

• Clinical Trials Research Track
• Comparative Effectiveness Research Track
• Health Services Research Track
• Translational Research Track
• Innovation Track

Each of these tracks has a distinct set of required courses that allow students to specialize in an area of clinical research. All MS students will also take a selection of elective courses to reach the 30 credit minimum required for this degree.

A minimum “B” grade is mandatory for all required coursework and a minimum of a “B-” grade is required to receive credit for any elective courses. To remain in good academic standing, students must also maintain a 3.0 or better QPA.

Comprehensive Competency Review:

The MS in clinical research is intended to train you in the skills, knowledge, and professional norms appropriate for clinical researchers, with a specialization in one of five tracks. To help students be confident that they are on track to develop competence in all the key areas, the Comprehensive Competency Review (CCR) meeting takes place at the midpoint of the degree. This milestone involves a written reflection and meeting with a CCR program faculty member and the student’s advisor.

Thesis or Substantive Research Project:

Individuals pursuing the Master of Science in Clinical Research are required to complete a formal thesis or substantive research project. The project will count for up to 3 credits and must satisfy the following requirements: (1) be primarily independent work by the trainee,  (2) receive preliminary approval from both the trainee’s advisor and the ICRE Leadership, and (3) form the basis for a comprehensive review of competence by a formal review committee. The three standard mechanisms for the substantive project are:

• A grant proposal for an R01, K-award, or equivalent grant application
• 2 Peer review publications
• A standard University thesis

Students must successfully defend their research project to a review committee as required by the University’s Committee on Graduate Studies.

Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) Requirement

Clinical Research Degree Program students are required to attend 8, 1-hour Responsible Conduct in Research workshops. These workshops are offering through the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).

More Information:

For additional program details, please visit the Master of Science in Clinical Research Program page and review the program handbook.