Clinical Research for Health Professionals MS

Major: Clinical Research for Health Professionals
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 36.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.0000
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9199

About the Program

The MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program is a non-thesis curriculum designed for residents, fellows and clinicians seeking knowledge in the conduct of translational and investigator-initiated research. The degree often acts as an advanced preparation for independent investigators and other practicing researchers familiar with clinical research while developing their clinical careers.

The program is also available to other clinical health professionals such as nurses (with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree required), medical technologists, etc., to help advance their professional opportunities.

Online coursework coupled with supervised independent research activities will allow health care professionals in any academic hospital setting throughout the U.S. to receive an MS degree from Drexel University College of Medicine.

Research Project

While the MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program does not require a thesis, the program is consistent with a master’s-level education that challenges students to clearly express well-organized thoughts in written form. The collection, analysis and refinement of scientific information to produce a professional-level written document are crucial skills for those in the health professions. This requirement will expose students to the entire process of developing an independent research project and reporting on that research project up to and including experiencing a facsimile of the peer review and resubmission process. The research project will provide students with the opportunity to develop, test and report on research hypotheses.

It is anticipated that each student will conduct a minimum of 9 hours of research per week for 3.0 credits per semester. Research may include a broad spectrum of clinical studies such as retrospective studies; bench-top studies in conjunction or not with pharmaceutical companies; development of new clinical methodologies/techniques; or development/evaluation of new medical devices. Research mentors must be established researchers with a doctoral degree. A key requirement of this mentored research is the support of a doctoral-level mentor/advisor located at the institution where the student's research will be conducted. A curriculum vitae of the proposed research mentor must be submitted with the student’s application for evaluation by the admissions committee and the program director. The appropriateness of the mentor will be evaluated by an ad hoc committee whose members come from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies faculty. The student must submit a 7-10 page journal-format paper at the end of each semester, documenting their research and demonstrating that each successive semester’s work builds upon their prior work.

Additional Information

Robert Sterling, PhD
Director, Graduate Programs in Clinical Research
rcs336@drexel.edu
267.359.2310

For more information about the program and to apply, visit the Drexel University Online website.

Degree Requirements

The MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program requires completing a minimum of 15.0 semester credits composed of three required courses and two clinical research electives. In addition, students will register for a total of 21.0 research credits.

Research mentors must be established researchers with a doctoral degree. A curriculum vitae of the proposed research mentor must be submitted with the student’s application. The appropriateness of the mentor will be evaluated by an ad hoc committee whose members come from the Graduate School faculty.

The student must submit a 7-10 page journal-format paper at the end of each semester documenting their research and demonstrating that each successive semester’s work builds upon their prior work. Contact the program director for additional requirements.

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Research may include a broad spectrum of clinical studies such as: retrospective studies; bench-top studies in conjunction or not with pharmaceutical companies; development of new clinical methodologies/ techniques; or, development/evaluation of new clinical devices.

Sample Plan of Study

Note: Some terms are less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students these terms.