Master of Science in Clinical Research

The Master of Science in Clinical Research Program (MSCR) provides training in clinical research for to 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 curriculum includes 38 semester hours earned through courses and seminar. It is a component of the educational core of the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR) and is compliant with core competencies for clinical research recommended by the National Center for Advancing Translational Science. The degree is granted through the College of Graduate Studies.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the program, students should be able to:

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

Admissions

Learn more about the admission steps and requirements for the program.

Curriculum

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.

Year 1, Fall

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

Year 1, Spring

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

Year 1, Summer

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

Year 2, Fall

MCR 725 Grant Development 2
MCR 732 Comparative Effectiveness Research 3
MCR 789 Special Topics 1
MCR 970 Mentored Research 2
Semester Total 8

Year 2, Spring

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.

Year 1, Fall

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

Year 1, Spring

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

Year 1, Summer

MCR 772 Community Engagement Research 1
MCR 773 Industry/Regulatory 2
MCR 774 Leadership 2
MCR 789 Special Topics 1
MCR 970 Mentored Research 4
Semester Total 10
Curriculum Total 38

Approved Electives

  • IP 728
  • ETH 738
  • MCR 777. Introduction to Grant Writing (part-time only), 1 credit hour