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Master of Science in Clinical Research

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Program Overview

The Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) program at MUSC 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, our program provides the academic foundation and practical experience to lead in today's research-intensive environments.

Application Timeline

Priority 
Sep 1 – Jun 19 

Regular 
Jun 20 – Aug 1 

Learning Experience

Students engage in structured didactic classes along with hands-on research to develop expertise in study design, data analysis, ethics, regulatory standards, and translational methods.

Inside the Program

MUSC’s Master of Science in Clinical Research blends structured coursework with mentored research experiences to build essential skills for careers in clinical investigation and translational science. The curriculum includes foundational study in clinical biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, and introduction to clinical trials, alongside applied training in data management, team science, and ethical conduct of research. Core components also emphasize comparative effectiveness research and grant writing to prepare students to design, analyze, and communicate findings from complex human health studies.

Students benefit from guided, hands-on mentored research that connects classroom learning to real clinical research projects. Whether completing the program in one year full time or over two years part time, learners engage with faculty investigators to deepen analytical competencies and develop professional confidence in regulatory, ethical, and scientific decision-making. This blend of didactic instruction and practical investigation positions graduates to advance clinical research across health care settings in South Carolina and beyond.

Curriculum

Full-time

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.

Year 1, Fall
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR700 Clinical Biostatistics 3
MCR731 Critical Review 2
MCR736 Clinical Epidemiology 3
MCR750 Ethical Issues in Clinical Research 1
MCR770 Contemporary Topic Seminar 1
MCR775 Clinical Research Training 1
MCR970 Mentored Research 2
Semester Total 13
Year 1, Spring
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR724 Introduction to Clinical Trials 3
MCR732 Comparative Effectiveness Research 3
MCR746 Informatics & Data Management 2
MCR752 Team Science in Clinical Research 1
MCR771 Regression Analysis 2
MCR777 Introduction to Grant Writing 1
MCR970 Mentored Research 3
Semester Total 15
Year 1, Summer
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR772 Community Engagement Research 1
MCR773 Industry/Regulatory 2
MCR774 Leadership 2
MCR789, or
MCR970
Special Topics, or
Mentored Research
1
MCR970 Mentored Research 4
Semester Total 10
Curriculum Total 38

Part-time

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 master's program composed of classroom lectures and seminars.

Year 1, Fall
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR700 Clinical Biostatistics 3
MCR736 Clinical Epidemiology 3
MCR750 Ethical Issues in Clinical Research 1
MCR770 Contemporary Topic Seminar 1
Semester Total 8
Year 1, Spring
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR724 Introduction to Clinical Trials 3
MCR746 Informatics & Data Management 2
MCR752 Team Science in Clinical Research 1
MCR771 Regression Analysis 2
Semester Total 8
Year 1, Summer
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR731 Critical Review 2
MCR772 Community Engaged Research 1
MCR773 Industry/REgulatory 2
MCR774 Leadership 2
MCR970 Mentored Research 1
Semester Total 8
Year 2, Fall
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR725 Grant Development 2
MCR732 Comparative Effectiveness Research 3
MCR789, or
MCR970
Special Topics, or
Mentored Research
1
MCR970 Mentored Research 2
Semester Total 8
Year 2, Spring
Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR776 Innovation in Clinical Research 1
MCR970 Mentored Research 5
Semester Total
6
Curriculum Total
38

Approved Electives

  • IP738, Seminars in Research Ethics, 1 credit
  • ETH738, Seminars in Research Ethics, 1 credit
  • MCR777, Introduction to Grant Writing, 1 credit (Part-time-students only)

Engage with our community

MUSC offers a dynamic academic environment, featuring seminars, research days, and networking events throughout the College of Graduate Studies, to foster collaboration and professional growth.

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Your path to admission

Discover key information about application steps and required documentation to help you move forward with confidence.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in clinical or health sciences from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or its equivalent from a foreign institution (e.g., BSN, MHS).

Additionally, part-time students must possess a doctoral degree in clinical or health sciences from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. (e.g., D.M.D., M.D., O.D., Pharm.D., Ph.D.).

Minimum Abilities

At MUSC, we actively support all students to ensure their success in both academic and clinical settings. To support this goal, the university outlines the essential qualities and functional abilities required for participation in its educational programs. These include a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual and behavioral skills necessary for safe and effective practice.

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Application Process

The following process outlines how and when your materials will be reviewed.

Application Requirements

  1. MUSC Application: All applicants must submit an MUSC application.
    • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

International Applicants

MUSC welcomes international applicants and offers tailored guidance to support you throughout the admissions process.

View Additional Details

Funding your path forward

The program clarifies financial resources tailored for graduate students, including tuition support, scholarships, and graduate fellowships to help offset costs and facilitate degree completion. 

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees are per semester unless otherwise noted.

Fees

Fee Type Fee Cost
Application Fee (per application) $95
Matriculation Fee (upon application acceptance) $400

Full-time Tuition

Tuition/Fee Type Fall Spring Summer Annual
In-state Tuition $6,438 $6,438 $6,438 -
Out-of-state Tuition $9,790 $9,790 $9,790 -

Part-time Tuition

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 -

Cost of Attendance

Full-time

Item Year 1
Direct Costs
Tuition - In-state/
Out-of-state
$19,506/
$29,371
Health Insurance $3,780
Fees -
Direct Costs $23,286/
$33,151 
Indirect Costs
Housing/Food $27,144
Personal $2,880
Transportation $3,240
Books/Required Expenses $4,360
Indirect Costs $37,624/
$37,624
Total - In-state/
Out-of-state
$60,910/
$70,775

Part-time

Item Year 1 Year 2 Est. Total*
Direct Costs
Tuition - In-state/
Out-of-state
$10,422/
$15,696
$6,948/
$10,464
$17,370/
$26,160
Health Insurance $3,780 $3,780 $7,560
Fees $300 - $300
Direct Costs Subtotal $14,202/
$19,476
$10,728/
$14,244
$25,230/
$34,020
Indirect Costs
Housing/Food $27,144 $18,096/$27,144 $45,240/$54,288
Personal $2,880 $1,920/$2,880 $4,800/$5,760
Transportation $3,240 $2,160/$3,240 $5,400/$6,480
Books/Required Expenses $4,360 $4,360 $8,720
Indirect Costs $37,624/
$37,624
$26,536/
$37,624
$64,160/
$75,248
Total - In-state/
Out-of-state
$51,826/
$57,100
$37,624/
$51,868
$89,390/
$109,268

Disclaimer: The Estimated Totals listed above reflects an approximation of educational costs for planning purposes only. Actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and annual changes in tuition, fees and other costs. The Medical University of South Carolina reserves the right to adjust tuition, fees and other charges at any time without prior notice.

Scholarships

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 that these 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 the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

View Scholarship Opportunities

Career Outlook

Source: O*NET OnLine. (2025). Retrieved Aug 20, 2025, from https://www.onetonline.org

Program Faculty

Daniel Lackland Professor Neurology Faculty wearing a blue shirt with a red tie

Daniel T. Lackland, DrPH

Professor

Elinor Cecile Gray Borgert, Ph.D., M.Sc.

Jenifer H. Voeks, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Master of Science in Clinical Research program is designed to be completed in one year, but also provides a part-time option that allows students to extend completion up to two years based on course load and scheduling preferences.

Yes. The program is designed with working professionals in mind and offers a part-time pathway that allows students to spread coursework across two years. This flexible structure supports clinicians, research staff, and healthcare professionals who wish to advance their research training while remaining employed.

Yes. Students engage in mentored research experiences that connect coursework to real-world clinical research projects. This applied component allows students to work alongside experienced investigators and develop practical skills in study design, data analysis, and ethical research conduct.

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Guided by purpose & principles

Understand how this program aligns with MUSC's commitment to innovation, ethical research, community collaboration, and the graduation of supported professionals.

Objectives

The MSCR program aims to prepare graduates to:

  • Conduct a comprehensive and systematic review of the literature
  • Formulate a well-defined clinical or translational research question
  • Select an appropriate study design to address a clinical or translational research question
  • Compute, describe, and evaluate descriptive and inferential statistics appropriate to the chosen study design
  • Apply ethical codes and professional standards for the conduct of clinical and translational research

Competencies

Upon completion of the MSCR program, graduates will be able to:

  • Conduct a comprehensive and systematic review of the literature
  • Formulate a well-defined clinical or translational research question
  • Select an appropriate study design to address a clinical or translational research question
  • Compute, describe, and evaluate descriptive and inferential statistics appropriate to the chosen study design
  • Apply ethical codes and professional standards for the conduct of clinical and translational research

Vision

To advance human health through the preparation of innovative clinical researchers who translate discovery into improved patient outcomes and global well-being.

Values

At the core of our program, we are guided by a commitment to the following values that drive our mission:

  • Compassion: We act with kindness, empathy and dignity.
  • Collaboration: We achieve common goals through teamwork and partnerships.
  • Innovation: We drive transformation by embracing new ideas, discoveries and practices.
  • Integrity: We do the right thing and commit to accountability in words, actions and use of resources.
  • Respect: We value everyone and their many perspectives to build trust and a sense of belonging.

Mission

To cultivate compassionate and ethical research leaders through interdisciplinary education, mentored investigation, and collaborative inquiry that fosters innovation, integrity, and respect across the clinical sciences.

Stories worth sharing

The College’s news channels frequently highlight student and faculty achievements, including research breakthroughs, grant awards, and conference recognition.

Accreditation & Recognition

The Medical University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to offer the Master of Science in Clinical Research. To learn more about MUSC’s accreditation and find contact details, please visit our Accreditation page