Program Overview

Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI)

The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in clinical and translational research. The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, conduct, analyze, and interpret clinical trials and other research studies.

Program Overview

The MSCI program is a rigorous and interdisciplinary program that covers a wide range of topics, including clinical research design, biostatistics, epidemiology, and research ethics. The program is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in clinical and translational research, and who want to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this field.

Course Descriptions

• MSCI 311-0: Clinical Research Design, Methods, and Grant Writing This course provides a comprehensive survey of concepts vital to a career in clinical and translational science. Students will learn about clinical research design, methods, and grant writing, and will have the opportunity to interface with basic clinical and translational concepts.
• MSCI 321-1: Biostatistics for Clinical Investigators 1 This course covers classic statistical inference and methods, with an emphasis on applications and interpretation of data. Students will learn about statistical procedures using SPSS and will have the opportunity to apply these procedures to real-world data.
• MSCI 322-0: Introduction to Epidemiology for Clinical Investigators This course introduces students to the field of epidemiology and its application to clinical research. Students will learn about study designs, analytic methods, and the interpretation of epidemiologic evidence.
• MSCI 330-0: Electronic Health Record Data as a Foundation for Clinical Research This course introduces electronic health records as a data source and considers the implications of working with protected health information. Students will learn about the integration of health record data with other data sources and will explore clinical and research applications of medical records.
• MSCI 335-0: Clinical Trials This course provides students with the skills to design, conduct, analyze, interpret, and report the results of a clinical trial. Students will learn about the principles of clinical trials, including trial design, conduct, and analysis.
• MSCI 350-0: Community Engagement in Action: Applications for Research and Practice This course educates learners on the principles of community engagement, with the goal of improving the impact of clinical research. Students will learn about the importance of community engagement and will have the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world research projects.
• MSCI 421-0: Biostatistics for Clinical Investigators 2 This course covers advanced modeling techniques for statistical inference, with an emphasis on applications and interpretation of data. Students will learn about statistical procedures using SPSS and will have the opportunity to apply these procedures to real-world data.
• MSCI 440-0: Clinical and Translational Strategies to Advance Health Equity This course provides an overview of how racism affects health and health care, with a focus on avoiding scientific errors and perpetuating inequities in clinical and translational research. Students will learn about the importance of health equity and will have the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world research projects.
• MSCI 445-0: Writing & Peer Reviewing for Publication for Clinical Investigators This course provides a hands-on experience in preparing, peer reviewing, and revising manuscripts for publication. Students will learn about the steps involved in preparing a manuscript and will have the opportunity to apply these skills to real-world research projects.
• MSCI 480-0: Introduction to Omics in Translational Research This course provides a foundational understanding of omics approaches to studying disease and application to novel diagnostics or therapeutics. Students will learn about the principles of omics and will have the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world research projects.
• MSCI 490-0: Independent Study This course provides students with the opportunity to pursue an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students will learn about the principles of independent research and will have the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world research projects.
• MSCI 499-0: Research Project This course serves as a capstone for the degree, where students will work on a research project that they have been developing throughout their time in the program. Students will learn about the principles of research project development and will have the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world research projects.
• MSCI 514-0: MSCI Concurrent Clinical and Research Responsibilities This course is an elective for students who are pursuing clinical and research responsibilities outside of direct classroom participation. Students will learn about the principles of concurrent clinical and research responsibilities and will have the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world research projects.

Program Requirements

The MSCI program requires students to complete a minimum of 12 courses, including the research project and independent study courses. Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must complete all coursework within two years of matriculation.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the MSCI program is competitive and requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and strong letters of recommendation. Students must also submit a personal statement and a resume as part of the application process.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for the MSCI program vary depending on the student's residency status and the number of credits taken per semester. Students should contact the university's financial aid office for more information about tuition fees and financial aid opportunities.

Research Areas

The MSCI program offers a wide range of research areas, including clinical trials, epidemiology, biostatistics, and health equity. Students can work with faculty mentors to develop a research project that aligns with their interests and career goals.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MSCI program can pursue a wide range of career opportunities, including clinical research coordinator, research scientist, and clinical trials manager. Students can also pursue further education and training in fields such as medicine, public health, and biomedical engineering.