Clinical Science Training Program, MD/MS

The Clinical Scientist Training Program (CSTP) offers clinical research training and scholarships to University of Pittsburgh medical students who are committed to careers in clinical investigation. Students may complete the dual MD/MS in clinical research or the MD/Certificate in clinical research.

The CSTP involves a research year between third and fourth year of medical school, typically scheduled July 1 - June 30. We expect students to take their research year after completing their core clerkships in the third year of medical school in order to ensure that their research will be informed by their clinical knowledge. The research year includes:

• Formal coursework: Students complete the ICRE core curriculum (11 credits),Those completing the MD/Certificate complete 7 additional elective credits. Those completing the dual MD/MS program complete 6 units of thesis research and 10 additional track-specific required and elective credits.
• Mentored clinical research: Students complete a mentored clinical research project with their SP mentor.
• Financial support: During the research year, students receive a living stipend, health insurance, and travel funds. Additionally, they receive a full tuition scholarship for the cost of the Certificate. The cost of the additional credits for the MS are the student’s responsibility to pay. Students who successfully complete their research year objectives additionally receive a substantial tuition scholarship toward the fourth year of medical school upon returning from the research year.

For more information, contact us.

* Note: it is possible to matriculate in the dual MD/MS program after the first year of medical school; however, to successfully complete the master’s thesis requirement, the student should have at least one first-author manuscript in preparation with their SP mentor.