MS in Clinical Research (MSCR)

Program Highlights…

• *The Clinical Research program is now designed as a one year program for Full Time students
• *Students will be prepared for the National Certification Exams
• *Students will write a publishable research paper

Thank you for your interest in the Master of Science in Clinical Research Program (MSCR) within the Boston University School of Medicine . Located in the South End of Boston, the program has been in existence since 2001. As an entity of BUSM, students are provided with opportunities and are exposed to resources that are part of the School of Medicine , the School of Public Health , the Goldman School of Dental Medicine , Boston Medical Center , two VA Administrations, and BioSquare. All of this offers students endless opportunities for personal, academic and professional development.

The MSCR program teaches students the scientific fundamentals of human research. Courses in our curriculum provide an in-depth look at all of the key elements in clinical research, including: trial design, trial management, biostatistics, ethical issues, and clinical research regulations. Other courses cover how basic science discoveries translate into clinical research and new therapies. The total course requirement is 32 credit hours: 22 hours are required curriculum, including practicum and research credits; 10 hours are elective courses. Students will also complete a research “practicum”; a hands-on involvement in a clinical research project under a scientific mentor. The final requirement for the degree is to conduct clinical research, write, and present a capstone project.

The Master of Science in Clinical Research [MSCR] is a rigorous program that meets the needs of health professionals engaged in the full-spectrum of patient-oriented research. This flexible degree program is designed for a variety of professionals including physicians who will plan and oversee translational research and clinical trials; research nurses; study coordinators; managers in clinical research and site management organizations (CROs and SROs); and professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries.

The program consists of 3 components to fulfill the degree requirements :

• Minimum of 32 graduate credits — 22 “required”, including the practicum and capstone project, and 10 “elective”
• Clinical Research Practicum — Hands-on involvement in a clinical research project(s)
• Capstone Project — clinical research conducted, analyzed, written, and presented by student
• Additional Information – Academic Policies

Program Duration

The MSCR program can be done either full-time or part-time. International students only have the option of the full-time program.

• FULL-TIME - 1 YEAR
• PART-TIME - 2 YEARS

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the MS in Clinical Research, students are expected to:

Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct clinical research, analyze results and answer a research question. Demonstrate the ability to read and critique the clinical research literature. Present clinical research findings (from literature or their own research) to peers.

Our Mission

Inspire, Instruct, Innovate … The MS in Clinical Research program is dedicated to the discovery, development, and application of knowledge as it pertains to all areas of clinical research. Our mission is to foster an engaging and effective educational environment that promotes the pursuit of outstanding teaching and learning through formal classroom and practical training. With established collaborative relationships with pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic institutions, students are provided with unique opportunities to pursue clinical research in areas that are of personal and professional interest.

We hope that the information you receive about our program encourages you to pursue your graduate degree in clinical research with us. If you are interested, click here to get your application started.

Required Courses

• **GMS CI 675 Designing Clinical Research Studies
• GMS CI 631 Management of Clinical Trials
• GMS CI 640 Regulatory and Compliance Issues
• GMS CI 670 Biostatistics with Computing
• GMS CI 790 Seminar in Clinical Research
• GMS CI 791,792 Clinical Research Practicum
• GMS CI 801, 802 Research

Elective Courses

A minimum of 10 credits is required in elective coursework : A wide variety of courses offered in the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences will count toward elective credit. A minimum of 10 credits must be taken as electives or directed study or.

Please note, these are just some of the many electives offered through the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences and BUSM that previous MSCR students have taken. A wide variety of research

• GMS CI 660 Good Clinical Practices in Clinical Research
• GMS CI 680 Ethical Issues in Clinical Research
• GMS CI 671 Applied regression analysis with Computing
• GMS CI 793 Professionalism & Scientific Writing
• GMS CI 691 or 692 Directed Studies in Clinical Research
• GMS MS 621 Bench to Bedside: Translating Biomedical Innovation from Laboratory to the Marketplace
• GMS MM 710 Molecules to Molecular Therapeutics
• GMS AN 715 Professional Skills for Students in the Biomedical Sciences
• GMS PM 730 Introduction to Medical Pharmacology
• GMS PM 800 Advanced General Pharmacology
• GMS PM 881 Drug Discovery and Development
• GMS MS 793 Fundamentals of Medical Biotechnology

The Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) is a recognized leader in research and graduate education in biomedical sciences. Our more than 900 students can choose from 33 fields of study, with interdisciplinary programs available in many areas. Students may pursue Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degrees in 15 different Departments and Programs. Masters degrees may be earned in many of these fields as well as in Medical Sciences, Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine, Clinical Research and other scientific and health services oriented disciplines. Certificates are also available in several areas of study.

GMS is located in the historic South End of Boston in the hub of a modern urban academic health center, Boston University Medical Center (BUMC), which includes Boston University School of Medicine , Boston University School of Public Health and the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine . Also on campus is Boston Medical Center , one of Boston’s leading teaching hospitals and the primary teaching affiliate of BUSM. Together, these institutions boast a world-class faculty with many established collaborations between clinical and basic science investigators. This provides a unique opportunity for students to participate in translational and cross-disciplinary research using state-of-the-art core facilities (e.g. imaging, flow cytometry, proteomics and gene expression analysis). Visit our Student Life page to learn more about life on campus and in Boston.

History

Boston University Medical School has a rich history dating back to 1848 when it began as the New England Female Medical College. Notably, it was the first institution in the world to offer medical education to women and also to graduate the first black woman physician. In 1873, the medical college merged with Boston University, becoming the first coeducational medical school in the nation.

BUSM is now home to nearly 1600 graduate and medical students who have chosen to pursue advanced degrees in an institution committed to excellence in training the scientists, physicians and biomedical educators of tomorrow guided by the institutional learning objectives, BU CARES .