MD MSCR Curriculum

The MUSC combined MD/MSCR degree is more flexible than similar combined degrees in that MD students can enroll in the combined degree as early as the second semester of medical school compared to after year 1 at other institutions. The recommended course sequencing is listed below for two different options students may choose. For more information, please visit the College of Medicine website.

Option 1: Concentrated MSCR Curriculum Plan

This curriculum plan applies to a student who completes the entire MSCR curriculum in one dedicated year between year 3 and year 4 of the medical school curriculum (38 credit hours completed over 3 semesters).

Option 2: Blended MD-MSCR Curriculum

With approval from the academic advisor, a student who enrolls in the combined degree program in the spring semester of year one of medical school (i.e., the earliest entry point) could be permitted to complete MSCR coursework concurrently with the MD degree curriculum (38 credit hours completed over 11 semesters). While the majority of the MSCR curriculum is still completed in year 4 (fall, spring), this curriculum plan provides advantages for students who wish to engage in research earlier in the program in order to increase competitiveness for application to residency programs.

MSCR Curriculum

Year	Semester	Course		Credit Hours
1	Fall	MCR-700	Clinical Biostatistics	3
		MCR-738	Clinical Research Intro	1
		MCR-736	Clinical Epidemiology	3
		MCR-770	Contemporary Topics Seminar	1
		MCR-750	Ethical Issues in Clin	1
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	2
		MCR-731	Critical Review	2
			Total Semester Hours	13
1	Spring	MCR-724	Intro to Clinical Trials	3
		MCR-746	Informatics and Data Mgmt	2
		MCR-752	Team Science in Clinical Resch	1
		MCR-771	Regression Analysis	2
		MCR-777	Intro to Grant Writing	1
		MCR-732	Comparative Effectiveness Resch	3
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	3
			Total Semester Hours	15
1	Summer	MCR-775	Clinical Research Training	1
		MCR-772	Community Engaged Research	1
		MCR-773	Industry/Regulatory	2
		MCR-774	Leadership	2
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	4
			Total Semester Hours	10
			Total Credit Hours	38

Part-Time Program: Students can complete the 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.

Full-Time Program: 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) as well as international applicants. Students complete the program in one year on a full-time basis.

MSCR Part Time Plan of Study

Year	Semester	Course		Credit Hours
1	Fall	MCR-700	Clinical Biostatistics	3
		MCR-736	Clinical Epidemiology	3
		MCR-750	Ethical Issues in Clin	1
		MCR-770	Contemporary Topics Seminar	1
			Total Semester Hours	8
1	Spring	MCR-724	Introduction to Clinical Trial	3
		MCR-746	Informatics and Data Mgmt	2
		MCR-752	Team Science in Clinical Resch	1
		MCR-771	Regression Analysis	2
			Total Semester Hours	8
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
			Total Semester Hours	8
2	Fall	MCR-725	Grant Development	2
		MCR-732	Comparative Effectiveness Resch	3
		MCR-789	Special Topics	1
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	2
			Total Semester Hours	8
2	Spring	MCR-776	Innovation in Clinical Res	1
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	5
			Total Semester Hours	6
			Total Credit Hours	38

 

MSCR Full Time Plan of Study

Year	Semester	Course		Credit Hours
1	Fall	MCR-700	Clinical Biostatistics	3
		MCR-731	Critical Review	2
		MCR-736	Clinical Epidemiology	3
		MCR-750	Ethical Issues in Clin	1
		MCR-770	Contemporary Topics Seminar	1
		MCR-775	Clinical ResearchTraining	1
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	2
			Total Semester Hours	13
1	Spring	MCR-724	Intro to Clinical Trials	3
		MCR-732	Comparative Effectiveness Resch	3
		MCR-746	Informatics and Data Mgmt	2
		MCR-752	Team Science in Clinical Resch	1
		MCR-771	Regression Analysis	2
		MCR-777	Intro to Grant Writing	1
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	3
			Total Semester Hours	15
1	Summer	MCR-772	Community Engaged Research	1
		MCR-773	Industry/Regulatory	2
		MCR-774	Leadership	2
		MCR-789	Special Topics	1
		MCR-970	Mentored Research	4
			Total Semester Hours	10
			Total Credit Hours	38

 

FLEX Curriculum

The preclerkship (FLEX) curriculum implemented in 2018 merges foundational medical science concepts of the traditional year 1 and year 2, enhances problem-solving, and increases active clinical application and earlier clinical immersion in the preclinical phase.

FLEX Curriculum Phases

The Preclerkship Phase of the curriculum is designed in organ system blocks and cohesively blends learning of normal and abnormal to teach the spectrum of human health and disease in engaged learning formats. Learners engage in early clinical experiences with real patients and in simulation settings to enhance application of basic science concepts in each block.

In FLEX Phase, learners choose a selective scholarly concentration that best meets their educational needs, professional interests and career aspirations. Learners achieve distinction in one of the following scholarly concentration pathways: research, humanities, global health and medical education. Alternatively, students who are eligible may apply to participate in an accelerated parallel pathway that leads to earlier graduation and entry into a residency position at MUSC.

The Immersion Phase (Year 3) is comprised of 7 core clinical clerkships in family medicine, internal medicine, neurology and rehabilitation medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. Students choose 2 selectives for additional immersion in specialties of their choice.

The Enrichment Phase (Year 4) is comprised of required advanced clinical rotations, including critical care and an acting internship (externship), a wide variety of electives, and the Internship 101 Capstone course, all designed to prepare learners for the transition to increased levels of responsibility in their future specialties.

All of the courses in the required curriculum for the MD Degree must be passed in order to graduate. No grade point average is calculated and no class rank is produced.

Year	Semester	Course		Credit Hours
1	Fall	MDCOR*711	Clinical Skills 1	3
		MDCOR*720	Foundations of Health	8
		MDCOR*722	Foundations of Disease	8
		MDCOR*725	Cardiovascular System	9
			Total Semester Hours	28
1	Spring	IP*711	IP Foundations & Teamstepps	1
		MDCOR*712	Clinical Skills 2	3
		MDCOR*727	Respiratory/Renal Systems	7
		MDCOR*728	Gastrointestinal	9
		MDCOR*731	Reproductive/Endocrine System	8
			Total Semester Hours	28
1	Summer	MDCOR*713	Clinical Skills 3	3
		MDCOR*733	Women and Pediatric Health	5
		MDCOR*735	Ethics and Biostatistics	3
		MDCOR*736	Autoimmunity and Hematology	3.5
			Total Semester Hours	14.5
2	Fall	IP*###	IP Concentration Course	1
		MDCOR*714	Clinical Skills 4	3
		MDCOR*739	Sensory and Motor Systems	13
		MDCOR*741	Special Senses and Cognition	8
		MDCOR*742	Behavioral & Geriatric Health	4.5
		MDCOR*892	AMP Research II	3.5
			Total Semester Hours	33
2	Spring	MDCOR*750	USMLE Step 1 Board Review	2
			and one of the following concentrations
		MDCOR*760	FLEX1 Health Humanities	5.5
		MDCOR*762	FLEX2 Health Humanities	5.5
			OR
		MDCOR*764	FLEX1 Global Health	5.5
		MDCOR*766	FLEX2 Global Health	5.5
			OR
		MDCOR*768	FLEX1 Physician as Teacher	5.5
		MDCOR*770	FLEX2 Physician as Teacher	5.5
			OR
		MDCOR*772	FLEX1 Research	5.5
		MDCOR*774	FLEX2 Research	5.5
			Total Semester Hours	13
2	Summer	MDCOR*891	AMP Research I	5
		MDCOR*	Clinical Foundations	3
			2 x 6-week Junior Clerkship *	16
			Total Semester Hours	24
3	Fall		2 x 6-week Junior Clerkship *	18
			2 x 2-week Junior Selectives	5
			Total Semester Hours	23
3	Spring	MDCOR*893	AMP Research III	3.5
			3 x 6-week Junior Clerkship *	24
			Total Semester Hours	27.5
3	Summer	MDCOR*705	Fundamentals of Patient Care 3	3
		MDCOR*865	Clinical Competency Exam 3	1
		MDCOR*866	Transition to Clinical Med	1
			4-week Critical Care Elective	5
			Total Semester Hours	10
4	Fall	TBD	20 Weeks of Electives	25
			Total Semester Hours	25
4	Spring	MDCOR*706	Fundamentals of Patient Care 4	3
		MDCOR*626	Internship 101	2.5
			4-week Externship	5
			4-week Advanced Medicine or Surgery Elective	5
			Total Semester Hours	15.5
			Total Credit Hours	241.5

 

* All third year students are required to take seven clerkships in the following disciplines: Family Medicine; Medicine; Neurology; OB/GYN; Pediatrics; Psychiatry; Surgery. These clerkships may be completed in any sequence over Summer, Fall & Spring of third year.