A specially designed knowledge and skills building program has been created to provide advanced training in clinical research at MUSC. The objective of this program is to prepare health professionals for research in the clinical setting. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of the scientific method of research with less focus on theoretical issues. At the successful completion of this program, and the recommendation of the advisory committee, the student will be awarded a Master of Science in Clinical Research degree from the College of Graduate Studies (Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Epidemiology).

This program will be completed on a part time basis over two years, beginning each fall. Individuals admitted to this program complete a 38 academic credit hour master's program which is composed of classroom lectures and seminars. Due to the objectives and length of this program, this is a non-thesis program. However, students will be expected to demonstrate their proficiency in clinical research in patient populations by developing a grant suitable for submission to a funding agency and orally defend the grant. There will be no consulting or teaching assignments. There are no stipends available for this master's degree option and information on the cost of tuition is available from the Office of Enrollment Management (currently $418/$548 in-state/out-of-state per academic hour plus matriculation fees, application fees, etc).

Students in this program will primarily be senior residents, fellows, or junior faculty at MUSC. While this program specifically targets individuals at MUSC, faculty and staff at other institutions previously trained in the health professions, and other qualified professionals in health care who wish to develop their clinical research skills, may also enroll. The applicant must possess: (1) a doctoral degree from an accredited school in the health/clinical sciences (e.g., M.D., Pharm. D., O.D., D.M.D., Ph.D.); OR (2) a bachelor's or a master's degree in the health/clinical sciences from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., B.S.N., M.H.S.) **and** a professional terminal degree with a professional designation (e.g. R.N., C.T., P.T., O.T. R.).

The MSCR is designed specifically to train individuals who plan on a career in academic medicine to become principal investigators on grants. This means that these folks will become faculty in medical schools and will embark on a career in clinical research as the team leader - the goal being that they will be successful in obtaining grants from NIH, etc.

Throughout the program, the student's advisory committee closely monitors the student's progress. This committee is composed of four members consisting of 2 DBBE faculty and 2 faculty from the students area of research.

The faculty for all courses will primarily consist of faculty from DBBE including joint, dual, and adjunct faculty, faculty from the Center for Health Care Research, and faculty from the College of Health Professionals. Faculty from other departments and colleges within MUSC will actively participate in various lectures and seminars. They will also be consulted on an ongoing evaluation of course content, faculty evaluation, and importance in contemporary clinical research.

Program Director: Thomas C. Hulsey
Please contact Erica Blender, Program Coordinator for additional information: blendere@musc.edu or 843-792-8449.
Application information: The application deadline for the MSCR program for Fall 2008 is May 20, 2008. You can apply as early as you like. To complete the application go to http://www.musc.edu/em/admissions/apply.html. The application is through Graduate Studies and transcripts are required.

If you are an international student, please go to the following link regarding the universities' international student admission policies and TOEFL: http://www.musc.edu/em/admissions/international.html

Requirements for the master's degree include a minimum of 38 semester hours of credit, which are taken in the form of classroom lectures, seminars, and computing laboratories (34 didactic credits and 4 research credits).

Oral Grant Defense
Candidates for this M.S.C.R. degree are required to pass an oral examination by defending his/her grant at the end of the program.

Grant Submission
Instead of a thesis, M.S.C.R. candidates in this program demonstrate their proficiency in clinical research by developing a grant proposal suitable for submission to a funding agency.

Curriculum

• Introduction to Clinical Biostatistics
• Foundations of Epidemiology
• Contemporary Topics in Clinical Research
• Ethical Issues in Clinical Research
• Regression Methods for Clincial Research
• Design and Conduct of Epidemiologic Studies
• Critical Review of Clinical Research
• Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials
• Introduction to Health Services Research
• Bioinformatics
• Introduction to Decision Analysis
• Grant Development for Clinical Research
• Grants Practicum
• Student Research

Due to the unique aspect of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program, certain modifications to the present University Application form are necessary.

University Application Sheet:

1. The term of entrance will be the Fall of each year.

2. Students in the program will be Part-time.

3. Test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, MAT, etc.) are NOT required.

4. Academic transcripts from all institutions, including where the highest degree was earned by the applicant is required, as well as any professional certifications that indicate the applicant has either

• A doctoral degree from an accredited school in the health/clinical sciences (e.g., M.D., Pharm. D., O.D., D.M.D., Ph.D.) OR

• A bachelor's or a master's degree in the health/clinical sciences from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., B.S.N., M.H.S.) *and* a professional terminal degree with a professional designation (e.g. R.N., C.T., P.T., O.T. R.).

5. 2 References – use forms provided by the university

6. Copy of Medical License

7. Letters of Support must state the department’s guarantee that applicant will have protected time on Tuesdays and Thursdays to attend classes and seminars:

• For residents - from the residency director;
• For fellows - from the fellowship director;
• For faculty - from the division or department chair; etc.

8. Essay stating:

• Future goals, including career plans
• Area of clinical research interest
• Why you chose the MSCR program
• An acknowledgement, upon acceptance, that you will attend all scheduled classes, seminars, etc by the program.
• Name your research mentor (if you have one identified) – not having a mentor will not affect your eligibility

PLEASE NOTE: For your application to be complete a transcript of your highest degree earned and letter of support must be received by May 20, 2008 deadline.