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

 

Approved Elective: IP-728 or ETH-728

 

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 5
    MDCOR*736 Autoimmunity and Hematology 3.5
      Total Semester Hours 16.5
         
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
    MDCOR*835
Topics in Clinical Medicine   1
       Total Semester Hours  28.5
         
 3  Summer MDCOR*705  Fundamentals of Patient Care 3 
    MDCOR*865  Clinical Competency Exam 3 
    MDCOR*866
Transition to Clinical Med  1
      4-week Critical Care Elective 
       Total Semester Hours 10
         
 4 Fall TBD  20 Weeks of Electives 25
       Total Semester Hours 25 
         
Spring MDCOR*706 Fundamentals of Patient Care 4 
    MDCOR*626  Internship 101  2.5 
      4-week Externship 
      4-week Advanced Medicine or Surgery Elective 
       Total Semester Hours 15.5 
         
      Total Credit Hours 244.5

 

* 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.