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College of Graduate Studies
The Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) program provides rigorous, interdisciplinary training to prepare health professionals and scientists for careers in clinical and translational research. Designed for individuals with a background in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, or related fields, this program builds core competencies in clinical trial design, biostatistics, regulatory science, and evidence-based medicine. Whether your goal is to become a principal investigator, clinical scientist, or research coordinator, MUSC's MSCR program provides the academic foundation and practical experience to lead in today's research-intensive environments.
Our curriculum is structured to accommodate the demands of working professionals while maintaining academic depth and integrity. Students benefit from a flexible learning format that includes both didactic and applied components, allowing them to balance clinical, research, or administrative responsibilities while progressing through the program. The MSCR program provides students with mentored research experiences, allowing them to work closely with MUSC's esteemed faculty, who actively conduct clinical research in various fields, including Cancer, Cardiovascular health, Digestive Diseases, Precision Medicine, and Neuroscience.
Graduates of the program leave with the skills to design and conduct independent research, contribute to multidisciplinary research teams, and translate clinical findings into improved patient outcomes. Our students actively navigate the ethical, regulatory, and methodological complexities of clinical research as they pursue careers in academia, industry, or healthcare. By training the next generation of clinical investigators, MUSC is advancing its mission to improve health through discovery and innovation.
At the end of the program, students should be able to:
Students can complete the part-time program in two years on a part-time basis, beginning each fall. Individuals admitted to this program complete a 38-academic credit hour master's program composed of classroom lectures and seminars.
MCR 700 | Clinical Biostatistics | 3 |
MCR 736 | Clinical Epidemiology | 3 |
MCR 750 | Ethical Issues in Clinical Research | 1 |
MCR 770 | Contemporary Topic Seminar | 1 |
Semester Total | 8 |
MCR 724 | Introduction to Clinical Trials | 3 |
MCR 746 | Informatics & Data Management | 2 |
MCR 752 | Team Science in Clinical Research | 1 |
MCR 771 | Regression Analysis | 2 |
Semester Total | 8 |
MCR 731 | Critical Review | 2 |
MCR 772 | Community Engaged Research | 1 |
MCR 773 | Industry/Regulatory | 2 |
MCR 774 | Leadership | 2 |
MCR 970 | Mentored Research | 1 |
Semester Total | 8 |
MCR 725 | Grant Development | 2 |
MCR 732 | Comparative Effectiveness Research | 3 |
MCR 789, or MCR 970 |
Special Topics, or Mentored Research |
1 |
MCR 970 | Mentored Research | 2 |
Semester Total | 8 |
MCR 776 | Innovation in Clinical Research | 1 |
MCR 970 | Mentored Research | 5 |
Semester Total | 6 |
Curriculum Total | 38 |
The full-time program is designed for students who are currently pursuing doctoral degrees in one of the six colleges (Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy) as well as international applicants. Students complete the program in one year on a full-time basis.
MCR 700 | Clinical Biostatistics | 3 |
MCR 731 | Critical Review | 2 |
MCR 736 | Clinical Epidemiology | 3 |
MCR 750 | Ethical Issues in Clinical Research | 1 |
MCR 770 | Contemporary Topic Seminar | 1 |
MCR 775 | Clinical Research Training | 1 |
MCR 970 | Mentored Research | 2 |
Semester Total | 13 |
MCR 724 | Introduction to Clinical Trials | 3 |
MCR 732 | Comparative Effectiveness Research | 3 |
MCR 746 | Informatics & Data Management | 2 |
MCR 752 | Team Science in Clinical Research | 1 |
MCR 771 | Regression Analysis | 2 |
MCR 777 | Introduction to Grant Writing | 1 |
MCR 970 | Mentored Research | 3 |
Semester Total | 15 |
MCR 772 | Community Engagement Research | 1 |
MCR 773 | Industry/Regulatory | 2 |
MCR 774 | Leadership | 2 |
MCR 789, or MCR 970 |
Special Topics, or Mentored Research |
1 |
MCR 970 | Mentored Research | 4 |
Semester Total | 10 |
Curriculum Total | 38 |
All applications to the College of Graduate Studies are submitted online. If you are unable to apply online, a petition to the Office of the Dean with an explanation must be submitted for special accommodation.
In addition to the application itself the applicant must complete supplemental instruction materials specific to the program to which they are applying. These forms are provided via email once an application has been submitted (and are listed under Application Materials through program links above).
Complete the applications and submit admission materials online. If you are unable to apply you must petition the College of Graduate Studies Office of the Dean for special accommodations with an explanation of why you are unable to apply online. In addition to the application, supplemental instruction materials specific to each program is also uploaded. These forms are provided via email once an application has been submitted and are listed above under Application Materials.
Candidates in this program will be individuals with a science background, specialists, residents, fellows and other healthcare professionals who seek to advance their clinical research skills and must possess:
For admission, a candidate must possess an undergraduate degree or graduate degree in clinical or health sciences from a U.S. accredited institution of higher education (e.g. BSN, MHS). International applicants must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. four-year baccalaureate degree from an officially recognized institution and a letter of recommendation or support letter.
Start Term | Application Type | Available | Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
Fall 2025 |
Priority | September 1, 2024 | June 19, 2025 |
Fall 2025 |
Regular | Jun 20, 2025 | Aug 11, 2025 |
Fall 2026 | Priority | September 1, 2025 | June 19, 2026 |
Fall 2026 | Regular | June 20, 2026 | Aug 1, 2026 |
Start Term | Application Type | Available | Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
Fall 2025 |
Priority | September 1, 2024 | Jun 19, 2025 |
Fall 2025 |
Regular | June 20, 2025 | Aug 11, 2025 |
Fall 2026 | Priority | September 1, 2025 | June 19, 2026 |
Fall 2026 | Regular | June 20, 2026 | Aug 1, 2026 |
Begin your online application to the Medical University of South Carolina.
Fee Type | Fee |
---|---|
Application Fee (per application) | $95 |
Matriculation Fee (upon applicant acceptance) | $400 |
Tuition and fees listed below are per semester unless otherwise noted.
Tuition/Fee Type | Fall | Spring | Summer | Annual |
---|---|---|---|---|
In-state Tuition | $6,502 | $6,502 | $6,502 | - |
Out-of-state Tuition | $10,538 | $10,538 | $8,295 | - |
Tuition/Fee Type | Fall | Spring | Summer | Annual |
---|---|---|---|---|
In-state Tuition (per credit hour) | $579 | $579 | $579 | - |
Out-of-state Tuition (per credit hour) | $872 | $872 | $872 | - |
MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means those scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit the FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the Fall.
Foreign nationals are urged to submit complete information as early as possible. In addition to other official entrance credentials, applicants whose native language is not English must submit the official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL or IELTS score). The TOEFL or IELTS score must not be more than two years old. Final consideration cannot be granted to an international application for admission until the official scores are received by the Office of Enrollment Management.
If an international applicant has graduated or will graduate from an institution that uses English as the language of instruction, the TOEFL may be waived upon request.