Programs in Clinical Research

Students working in lab

1 year | full-time

2 years | part-time

Boston University Medical Campus

 

Boston University’s programs in Clinical Research aim to meet the needs of health professionals engaged in the full-spectrum of patient-oriented research. We offer both master’s degree and certificate programs to individuals seeking careers in clinical research in industry or academic settings.

Clinical Research program offerings:

About the MS in Clinical Research Program (MSCR)

Located in Boston’s South End at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, the Master of Science in Clinical Research Program (MSCR) has been in existence since 2001 and is ranked #1  by College Choice among universities that offer an MS in Clinical Research.  As an entity of BU CAMED, students are provided with opportunities and are exposed to resources that are part of the Chobanian & Avedisian 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 Master’s in Clinical Research program, which is a STEM 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.

Who is this program designed for?

The Master’s in Clinical Research program is designed for anyone interested in a career in clinical research. This includes those with MD or PhD degrees interested in becoming independent principal investigators, as well as those with bachelors or masters degrees who seek advancement in a research career in industry or academic settings.

Online Graduate Clinical Research Certificate

If you are not ready to commit to our Master’s program, we also offer an Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research.   This certificate program involves 4 courses across two semesters, and can be completed in one academic year.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Master’s in Clinical Research program, students are expected to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct clinical research, analyze results and answer a research question.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to read and critique the clinical research literature.
  3. 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.

Contact Us

If you would like to visit our campus or have any questions about our program, please contact Stacey Hess Pino at sahess@bu.edu. We look forward to meeting and/or speaking with you!

Janice Weinberg, ScD
Director, MS in Clinical Research; Professor, Department of Biostatistics

Stacey Hess Pino, MS, MS
Assistant Director, MS in Clinical Research; Director, Online Graduate Certificate Program in Clinical Research; Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Sciences & Education