Programs by Campus
Indianapolis
Clinical Research
School of Medicine
Curriculum
Departmental URL: https://indianactsi.org/researchers/education-training/clinical-research-graduate-programs/
(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)
Program Director
Professor Kurt Kroenke*
(An asterisk [*] denotes membership in the University Graduate School faculty with the endorsement to direct doctoral dissertations.)
Degree Offered
Master of Science, Graduate Certificate, PhD Minor
Special Departmental Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Master of Science in Clinical Research
Indiana University’s Master of Science in Clinical Research degree program prepares health care professionals for a career in clinical research. This program offers a combination of course work and practical research experience and is a core component of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI). The program also constitutes the formal didactic requirements for certain types of federal training grants (such as NIH K and T awards) as well as non-federal training programs. Following completion of the program, graduates can embark on a career in clinical research with the skills necessary to successfully compete for grant funding, conduct and analyze research findings, and publish work in scientific journals.
Course Requirements
The Master of Science program is divided equally between two main components: (1) completion of the formal curriculum and (2) active involvement in clinical research under the mentorship of a faculty scientist. Both elements are critical in preparation of the candidate for successful research following graduation. The curriculum is designed to cover core competency areas through a combination of course work and mentored research. The two-year M.S. program consists of a 30-credit hour curriculum, which includes the following core courses—GRDM-G504, PBHL-B561, GRDM-G660, GRDM-G661, GRDM-G664, and approved electives (9-12 credits).
Grades
A grade of B (3.0) is required in all core courses, and an overall grade point average of B (3.0) is required.
Thesis
Research project (see GRDM-G664 Mentored Clinical Research) is completed in lieu of thesis.
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research
This is a 14-credit degree with three required courses (GRDM-G660 Clinical Research Methods, GRDM-G504 Research Ethics and GRDM-G661 Clinical Trials or PBHL-B561: Introduction to Biostatistics I). These three courses will constitute 8-9 credits; the remaining 5-6 credits will consist of graduate-level elective courses that are relevant to the student’s clinical interests.
Electives (4-6 cr.) (to be approved by program director) include graduate-level courses in advanced biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical pharmacology, genetics, molecular biology, computer sciences, or other courses relevant to the individual student’s field of clinical research.
Ph.D. Minor in Clinical Research
The 12-credit PhD Minor in Clinical Research is designed to be of service to a diverse clientele. It will provide PhD students with an overview of clinical research by introducing them to core clinical research concepts and skills, including clinical research methodology, clinical trials, research ethics, and biostatistics. Additionally, each student will complete one elective relevant to their specific area of research interest.
The Clinical Research Minor includes 9 credit hours of core coursework selected from the following list, and one 3-credit graduate level elective:
Clinical Research Methods – GRDM-G660
Clinical Trials – GRDM-G661
Introduction to Research Ethics – GRDM-G504
Introduction to Biostatistics I – PBHL-B561, PBHL-B561, or alternate biostatistics course.
Elective courses will be approved by the Minor program director in conjunction with the student’s PhD program advisor.