The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Clinical and Translational Research

About the Program

M.S. Program

The Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research equips students to be well versed in foundational aspects of research methods as well as essential clinical research methods. In addition, the program aims to prepare students with skills in project design and associated grant preparation, effective communication of research results and emerging powerful tools for clinical investigation.

The courses align with NIH’s core competencies in clinical and translational research. The mandatory Capstone Project is a summative assessment of the student’s knowledge in reviewing the literature, development of clear and testable hypotheses, selection of appropriate methods and of a rigorous (data) analysis plan, consideration of research ethics with human subjects, and clarity of presentations and responses to questions.

Students can select an area of concentration based on their research interests:

Certificate Program

The Certificate in Clinical and Translational Research provides training in the foundational skills of Clinical and Translational Research in helping students become well-versed in foundational aspects of research methods as well as essential clinical research methods. The curriculum provides training in Clinical and Translational Research (CLTR) and team science. This specialized program provides foundational training in biostatistics, experimental design, and research ethics, followed by an individualized course of study focused on clinical and translational research. The program offers flexible class scheduling and evening courses and is fully online.

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Program Contact: Contact the CLTR Program

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Degrees Offered

Admissions Requirements

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page. Review the program’s website  for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

Application Deadlines

M.S. Program

Certificate Program

Degree Requirements

M.S. Requirements

For more information on degree requirements, please visit the program website.

The main components of the M.S. in Clinical and Translational Research degree program are as follows:

(Core) Required Courses

Capstone Project

Each student will complete and present a mentored capstone project, which will be submitted to and approved by the student’s advisor and by the Program Director prior to being undertaken, preferably by the first half of the second term of study, and will be presented in a final term, program-wide poster/discussion session. Capstone projects can take several forms, individualized to the student’s research activities and goals, but based in a clear and evaluable manner on the competencies developed in the MS CTR course of study, including 1) critical review of the literature, 2) development of clear and testable hypotheses, 3) selection of appropriate methods and of a rigorous (data) analysis plan, 4) attention to human subjects research ethics considerations, and 5) clarity of presentation and of responses to questions.

Areas of Concentration:

Mechanistic and Biomedical Research

This area of concentration appropriate for trainees interested in how discoveries and findings from basic research can be turned into studies of human subjects. It offers students the opportunity to focus on the concepts, methods and tools in translational research.

Clinical Trials and Research

This area of concentration provides training related to the design and analysis of clinical studies, both observational and treatment trials. Students are encouraged to develop a protocol for a study involving human subjects or to participate in such a study and analyze the results. This could serve as basis for the capstone project. The advisor and program faculty will work with each student to identify an appropriate mentor and project.

Health Services & Community Engagement

This area of concentration provides training that focuses on the importance of health and diversity in our community through community engagement and community-participatory research. 

Certificate Requirements

For more information on degree requirements, please visit the program website.

Certificate Course Information

The main components of the Certificate in Clinical Translational Research program are as follows:

(Core) Required Courses
Sample of Electives Courses