Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science (MSCI-TS) Overview

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Fall Semester: April 1

Spring Semester: October 1

Applicants Requiring an F-1 or J-1 Visa

Fall Semester Only: February 1

MSCI-TS Overview:

The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science (MSCI-TS) Program is part of the Institute for Integration of Medicine and Science and is funded by the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NIH/NCATS) (UL1 TR002645).

The MSCI-TS Program was first established in 2000 and since then has enrolled a total of 189 students and has graduated 140 students from this non-departmentally based program. Of the 140 MSCI-TS graduates, 47 have been UT Health Faculty members.

Translational Science is defined as the field of investigation focused on understanding the scientific and operational principles underlying each step of the Translational Process. Translational Science bridges the gap between basic research and human studies in order to impact health of communities, policies, and distinguish changes in clinical practice. The MSCI-TS Program seeks to train outstanding healthcare professionals in the core competencies necessary for the safe conduct of clinical and translational research. The program aims to provide fundamental curricular activities and valuable training opportunities in Clinical and Translational Research at UT Health San Antonio.

The MSCI-TS Program is an interdisciplinary program that is available to all five UT Health San Antonio Schools.

MSCI-TS Eligible Applicants:

All students, faculty, fellows and staff from all disciplines and affiliated programs at UT Health San Antonio Schools are eligible to apply.

MSCI-TS Degree Requirements:

Students must complete 30 semester credit hours (SCH) of coursework to obtain MSCI-TS degree. This will include 18 SCH of required coursework and 12 SCH of elective coursework. Additionally, students participate in a mentored research project under the direction of their Supervising Professor, Research Supervising Committee, and the MSCI-TS Committee of Graduate Studies (COGS) culminating in a manuscript submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

MSCI-TS Grading System:

Performance for the program is assessed on a Satisfactory (S)/ Unsatisfactory (U) basis.

MSCI-TS Degree Timeline to Completion:

The MSCI-TS Program can be completed in 2 years of full-time enrollment. However, part-time students complete this program in 3 to 4 years dependent on the frequency of their coursework.

MSCI-TS Faculty/Scope and Sequence of Curriculum:

Experienced faculty members direct each course and take responsibility for designing the teaching materials. Specific learning objectives and discussion based activities have been created for each session. Teams of instructors (course faculty), who are particularly qualified to teach the selected topics, deliver these integrated courses. The scope and sequence of the courses are structured so students will be able to strategically incorporate their learning into their mentored research projects and manuscripts.

MSCI-TS Governance:

The MSCI-TS program is led by the Interim Program Director, Helen P. Hazuda, PhD, as well as a hands-on Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS). The MSCI-TS COGS meets on a monthly basis and is comprised of faculty from each of the UT Health San Antonio’s five schools. The Committee participates, reviews and approves applicants to the program, curriculum, course materials, student’s research project proposals, manuscripts, and graduation recommendations. Additionally, the MSCI-TS COGS evaluates and discusses any student or curriculum issues related to the program.

MSCI-TS Application Process:

Contact the MSCI-TS Coordinator, Alex Machuca via phone (210) 567-4304 or via email (Machuca@uthscsa.edu) for any additional information, or questions regarding application process or curriculum.