Master's of Science in Clinical Research

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Clinical Research Program (MSCR) provides training in clinical research for health care professionals whose careers in academic medicine would require successful and consistent extramural funding as principal investigators on grants, implement clinical research projects and produce clinical science publications. The program prepares health care professionals for development and opportunities to further their skills in the clinical research environment and workforce.

The MSCR program is a component of the educational core of the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR), and is compliant with core competencies recommended by the National Center for the Advancement of Translational Sciences. The degree is granted through the College of Graduates Studies.

Course Descriptions
Curriculum
Learning Objectives

Contact:
Maritza Dawkins- Holnes
Program Coordinator
dawkin@musc.edu
843-876-2216

Daniel T. Lackland, DrPH, FACE, FAHA
Professor of Epidemiology and Neurology
Director, Masters of Science in Clinical Research Program

Description

The Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) Program provides training in clinical research for health care professionals whose careers in academic medicine would require successful and consistent extramural funding as principal investigators on grants, implement clinical research projects and produce clinical science publications.

Application Process

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).

Program Information:

MS in Clinical Research Part-Time

MS in Clinical Research Full-Time

MS in Clinical Research Online

MS in Clinical Research Part-Time

Description

The 38-credit Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) Program provides additional training in clinical research for professionals whose careers in academic medicine would require them to successfully obtain consistent extramural funding as principal investigators on grants and for investigator­ industry initiated clinical research projects. The program prepares physicians, health care professionals and investigators at all career and training stages for development and opportunities in the clinical research environment.

Requirements

Candidates in this program will primarily be senior residents, fellows, or junior faculty. While this program specifcally 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. Senior residents, fellows, junior faculty, or health professionals must possess:

  • 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.);
  • A bachelor's or a master's degree in the health/clinical sciences from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., BSN, MHS)

Application Materials

  1. Academic transcripts from the institution of the highest degree, 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., PharmD, O.D., D.M.D., Ph.D.)
    • a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in the health/clinical sciences from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., BSN, MHS)
  2. An essay stating:

    a. Future goals
    b. Area of clinical research interest
    c. Why you chose the MSCR program
    d. An acknowledgement, upon acceptance, that you will commit to all scheduled classes.
    e. Name of your research mentor (if you have one identified) – not having a mentor will not affect your eligibility.

  3. Letters of Support stating the department's guarantee  the applicant will have protected time to commit to the program classes:
    a. For residents – from the residency director
    b. For fellows – from the fellowship director
    c. For faculty – from the division or department chair

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

Please Note: For your application to be complete a transcript of your highest degree earned and letter of support must be received by the application deadline.

International Students

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.

Back to Program List

MS in Clinical Research Full-Time

Description

The one year, full-time program is designed to increase the number of well-trained clinical researchers who will assume leadership roles in the design, conduct, and oversight of future multidisciplinary clinical investigations critical to the mission of the National Institute of Health (NIH). The program is designed for students who are currently pursuing doctoral degrees in the six colleges (Medicine, Dental Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Graduate Studies, and Health Professions). 

Requirements

For admission, a candidate must possess one of the following:  Bachelor or Master's degree in the 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. Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants.

Application Materials

Complete the applications and submit admission materials online.  If you are unable to apply online 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 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 above under Application Materials. Do not send transcripts directly to the program.

Application Process

All applications to the College of Graduate Studies must be submitted online. If you are unable to apply online you must petition the Office of the Dean for special accommodation explaining why you are unable to apply online. In addition to the application 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 above under Application Materials. 

Back to Program List

MS in Clinical Research Online

Description

The Master of Science in Clinical Research program provides additional training in clinical research for professionals whose careers in academic medicine would require them to successfully obtain consistent extramural funding as principal investigators on grants and for investigator/ industry initiated clinical research projects. Term begins in the fall semester and the program prepares physicians, health care professionals and investigators for development and opportunities in the clinical research environment.

Requirements

Candidates in this program will primarily be senior residents, fellows, junior faculty. 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. Senior residents, fellows, junior faculty or health professionals must possess:

  • 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.);
  • a bachelor's or a master's degree in the health or clinical sciences from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., BSN, MHS.)

Distance Education Information

MUSC has been approved by South Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Currently, MUSC accepts applications to the Master of Science in Clinical Research – Online from students who live in all states.

To learn more please see the Office of Institutional Effectiveness' State Authorization page.

Application Materials

  1. Academic transcripts from the institution of the highest degree, 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., PharmD, O.D., D.M.D., Ph.D.) or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the health or clinical sciences from an accredited institution of higher education (e.g., BSN, MHS) *and* a professional designation (e.g., RN, CT, PT, OTR).
  2. An essay stating:

    a. Future goals
    b. Area of clinical research interest
    c. Why you chose the MSCR program
    d. Name of your research mentor (if you have one identified) – not having a mentor will not affect your eligibility

  3. Letters of Support stating the department’s guarantee that the residents, fellows, or faculty will have protected time to attend the program classes:

    a. For residents – from the residency director
    b. For fellows – from the fellowship director
    c. For faculty – from the division or department chair

  4. Test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, MAT, etc.) are not required

Please Note: For your application to be complete a transcript of your highest degree earned and letter of support must be received by the application deadline.

Application Process

All applications to the College of Graduate Studies must be submitted online. If you are unable to apply online you must petition the Office of the Dean for special accommodation explaining why you are unable to apply online.

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 above under Application Materials).

Back to Program List

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

Scholarship Eligibility

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.

Application Deadlines

MS in Clinical Research Part-Time Deadlines

Start Term Application Type Available Deadline
Fall 2022
Regular July 1, 2021 June 19, 2022
Fall 2022
Extended June 20, 2022 August 18, 2022
Fall 2023  Regular July 1, 2022 June 19, 2023
Fall 2023  Extended  June 20, 23 August 18, 2023

MS in Clinical Research Full-Time Deadlines

Start Term Application Type Available Deadline
Fall 2022
Regular  July 1, 2021 June 19, 2022
Fall 2022
Extended June 20, 2022 August 18, 2022
Fall 2023  Regular  July 1, 2022  June 19, 2023 
Fall 2023  Extended June 20, 2023 August 18, 2023

MS in Clinical Research Online Deadlines

Start Term Application Type Available Deadline
Fall 2022 Regular July 1, 2021 June 19, 2022
Fall 2022 Extended June 20, 2021 August 18, 2022
Fall 2023  Regular  July 1, 2022 June 19, 2023
Fall 2023  Extended June 20, 2023 August 18, 2023