M.S. in Clinical & Translational Science

The deadline for applications is May 31 for a start date of August 20, 2012.

Objective: Develop the next generation of clinical and translational scientists through educational and mentored, research training

Target Group: Initial enrollment is limited to faculty, clinicians, and health professional students residing at the health sciences centers of West Virginia University (campuses at Morgantown, Eastern Division, Charleston Division/Charleston Area Medical Center, and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

M.S. Degree (34 credits)

• Didactic coursework – 25 credits;
  • Required Courses (19 credits)
  • Elective Courses (6 credits)
• Thesis Research - 9 credits

The M.S. degree expands upon Certificate coursework and culminates with a written thesis or first-author publication. The peer-reviewed first-author publication or written thesis is defended orally to a four-member committee comprised of the trainees WVCTSI faculty research co-mentors, one additional WVCTSI faculty, who must be outside of the Scholar’s department, and one funded faculty member from another institution. Elective courses allow trainees to tailor their education to match their research or interests. See Table 2 and 3 for courses.

The M.S. research project must make an original contribution to translating scientific knowledge from the bench to bedside (T1), to larger patient populations (T2), to the practice area for dissemination and implementation (T3), and/or to new policy or outcomes research (T4). The M.S. degree requires a peer-reviewed first-author publication or written thesis that is defended orally to a four-member committee comprised of the trainees WVCTSI faculty research co-mentors, one additional WVCTSI faculty, who must be outside of the Scholar’s department, and one funded faculty member from another institution.

Application Process: Interested applicants apply electronically at www.http://majors.wvu.edu/home/details/229. The deadline for application is May 31 for a start date of August 20, 2012. The application requires a personal statement outlining past accomplishments with an emphasis on research, your future research interests, and a clear career vision of becoming a clinical/translational researcher, three letters of recommendation that evaluate your potential as a clinician scientist, a list of potential research mentors, and an NIH Biographical Sketch. For faculty applicants, a support letter from the Department Chair is required stating how research activities integrate with clinical (if appropriate), teaching, and/or service responsibilities. For clinicians support letters from the Department Chair and fellowship/residency director (if applicable) are required stating how research activities integrate with clinical (if appropriate), teaching, and/or service responsibilities. Student applicants must be in good academic and professional standing. The WVCTSI Educational Committee will review all applications, interview selected applicants, and notify applicants of admission decisions by late July.

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available.

Transfer Credits: Trainee participants with prior graduate coursework in population health and health outcomes are allowed to transfer up to 12 semester credits with grades of B or better from another accredited institution. Transfer courses substitute for required courses upon approval of the Course Coordinators and Program Assistant Director. 

Table 1. M.S. Degree Coursework (34 credits) – didactic coursework (25 credits); thesis research (9 credits)

Table 2. Electives Courses  (T1&T2 and T3&T4).

T1&T2 Electives

T3&T4 Electives

Policy and Leadership Electives