Program Overview

Master of Science in Clinical Investigation

The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) program is designed to provide scholars with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct clinical and translational research. The program requires 33 credit hours of didactic coursework, including 16 core credits, 4 credits of MTPCI Research Seminar, at least 6 credits of electives, and variable credits of mentored independent research.

Program Requirements

• Didactic Coursework: All MSCI scholars must complete 33 credit hours of didactic coursework, including:
  • 16 core credits
  • 4 credits of MTPCI Research Seminar
  • At least 6 credits of electives
  • Variable credits of mentored independent research
• Concentrations: Scholars may pursue one of four concentrations:
  • Translational Medicine
  • Genetics/Genomics
  • Clinical Investigation
  • Dissemination and Implementation
• Core Courses: The following core courses are required:
  • CLNV 5070: Ethical and Legal Issues in Clinical Research (2 units)
  • CLNV 5150: Introduction to Statistics for Clinical Research (3 units)
  • CLNV 5151: Intermediate Statistics for Health Sciences (3 units)
  • CLNV 5160: Grantsmanship or CLNV 5170: Scientific Writing and Publishing (2 units)
  • CLNV 5140: MTPCI Research Seminar (4 credits required, 1 credit per semester)
  • CLNV 5110: Mentored Independent Research (6-8 units)
• Thesis: Scholars will form a thesis committee consisting of three faculty members and meet with that committee at least twice per year. The thesis committee should include the scholar's primary mentor, the MSCI program director, and a third faculty member in a closely related research field.
• CRTC Seminar: Scholars are required to attend weekly CRTC Seminars during the fall and spring semesters. During their first and second years of the program, scholars are required to present research-in-progress once each year.
• Mentors: Each scholar must have a program-approved primary research mentor. This mentor will be the scholar's main source of research supervision and career development.
• Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR): Scholars are required to complete CLNV 5070 Ethical and Legal Issues in Clinical Research during their time in the program as part of their RCR training.
• Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approvals: Scholars are required to obtain IRB approval for all research conducted as part of their MSCI degree and to provide documentation of current IRB approvals for their research project(s) to the MSCI program.
• Individual Development Plans: MSCI scholars must develop an Individual Development Plan in consultation with their mentors and must submit the plan by July 1 each year.

Eligibility

• Level of Education: Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree. However, most scholars are enrolled in a predoctoral or postdoctoral mentored research program at Washington University School of Medicine or hold a postdoctoral appointment in health science at Washington University or one of the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) affiliates.
• Citizenship: Eligible applicants must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States, or they must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and have in their possession an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551) or other legal verification of admission for permanent residence.
• Research Project: All applicants must be conducting clinical and translational research. Clinical research is defined as patient-oriented research, that is, research conducted with human subjects or on material of human origin (e.g., tissues, specimens, cognitive phenomena).
• Mentor: Applicants must have an established relationship with a senior faculty member prior to beginning the MSCI program. Applicants should look for mentors who match their research interests. They should contact each mentor they are interested in working with directly, stating their interest in the mentor's research and their desire to work with the mentor.