Certificate in Translational Science

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Fall Semester: April 1

Spring Semester: October 1

Program Description

The Graduate Certificate in Translational Science (CTS) is designed to provide graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and other health care professionals with a formal introduction to the essential components involved in the advancement of scientific discoveries in basic biomedical research into clinical applications and improvements in human health. 

This 12 semester-credit-hour (SCH) program within the UT Health San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) offers formal coursework in topics relevant to translational science including biostatistics, epidemiology, and clinical trials design and analysis. 

The CTS program targets healthcare professionals who do not have the time to complete the requirements of an advanced Master’s or Doctoral degree and to graduate students, fellows, and others who desire additional training in the evolving discipline of translational science.

Program Eligibility and Application Requirements:
The CTS program assumes sufficient educational background and experience in the biological or biomedical sciences.  It is expected that most students will have a health professional degree or a BS/BA or MS/MA degree with emphasis in a health-related discipline.  General requirements include:

• Qualifying degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or an equivalent degree and/or training at a foreign institution
• Grade Point Average no lower than a “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
• Evidence of a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for applicants from countries where English is not the native language

Other application materials include:

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s background and readiness for graduate coursework in translational science
• A Personal Statement (1-2 pages) describing the applicant’s educational background, research and career goals, and purpose for seeking training in translational science
• A current Curriculum Vitae.

Application to the CTS Program
Applications and all other required application materials will be processed through the online application system for the UT Health San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.  This application is available here.  Applications are accepted year-round, but applications must be submitted within the GSBS deadlines for submission. 

CTS Requirements
Twelve semester credit hours (SCH) are required.

Required Courses – 8 SCH. 

Elective Courses – 4 SCH. 

Program Completion 
 After completing all course requirements, the CTS student must complete a Request for Certification Form.  This will be forwarded to the Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) for approval.  Once approved by the COGS, the recommendation for awarding a Certificate in Translational Science will be forwarded to the GSBS for review and approval.

For students who decide to pursue a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation degree or the Translational Science PhD degree, the semester credit hours earned in the CTS program may be used toward the degree requirements of those programs.

Certification Request Form

Questions or Information
Contact Alex Machuca (Machuca@uthscsa.edu or 210-567-4304) in the IIMS Office of Research Education, and Mentoring for questions about the CTS program.