Master of Science in Clinical Research (MS-CR)

The Master of Science in Clinical Research Program in the Department of Public Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary graduate degree designed to meet the changing needs of the current health care field, particularly the increasing need for trained professionals with well-developed quantitative and analytic skills.

The MS-CR program provides training to health and medical professionals with significant relevant experience who have a physician mentor and desire/need quantitative and analytic skills in patient-oriented and translational research, as well as more traditional clinical investigation.  Using an interdisciplinary blend of biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical trial design, medical informatics, and health services research, the MS-CR program equips clinical researchers with the statistical and data management tools needed to conduct translational clinical and comparative effectiveness studies in medical care.  Students complete a minimum 31-credit curriculum that includes core courses, specialized coursework, and a final independent research project, co-mentored by a PHS faculty member and the student’s research advisor.  Since its inception in 1997, the MS-CR program has graduated over 150 students, most of whom were physicians in training.

The experience is one of intensive study aimed toward giving students the analytical skills needed in all areas of clinical research.

MS-CR Class Schedules – Spring and Fall

Launched in 1997, the MS-CR program subsumed the existing Master of Science in Epidemiology program, which was created in 1981. The new program builds on the structure and courses previously offered in the Epidemiology program, while offering a breadth and diversity of courses not previously possible.  The MS in Clinical Research is administered by the Department of Public Health Sciences in the School of Medicine.

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  PHS students take a break in front of UVA’s Old Medical School Building. (Photo taken by Abby Sacks.)

  Program Director: Wendy Novicoff, Ph.D.

• Director Academic Programs & Registrar: Tracey C. Brookman
• Education Program Chair: Ruth Gaare Bernheim, J.D., M.P.H.