Mobile Logo in White

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find the Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science (MSCI-TS) Handbook?

Who can apply?

    • Applicants should have a sufficient educational background in the biological or biomedical sciences. It is expected that most applicants will have a health professional degree (e.g., MD, DDS, DMD, PhD, or BS or MS in nursing and/or allied health) or a BS/BA or MS degree with emphasis in a health-related discipline.

Can I apply if I have a j-1 Visa or if I obtain an F-1 Visa?

    • Yes.  However, individuals obtaining an F-1 visa must attend full-time as required by the F-1 visa rules and there are enrollment principles for individuals with J-1 Visa status.  Enrollment principles for students with J-1 visa are as follows: Enrollment in classes must be incidental to their primary activities for which they came to the UTHSCSA. Enrollment in the research course must be done under the supervision of your research mentor.  The research course must directly relevant to and obtained from the work you are conducting in the United States.  The number of research credits allowed per semester will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the individual circumstances of the student.

How long will it take to earn the MSCI-TS Degree?

    • Students enrolling full-time should complete their MSCI-TS degree in two years.  Students enrolling part-time can expect to complete their MSCI-TS degree in three to four years.

How many credit hours are needed to earn the MSCI-TS degree?

    • A total of 30 semester credit hours (sch) are required to obtain the MSCI-TS degree. There are 18 sch of required didactic courses, 1.0 sch of thesis, and typically the remaining 11.0 sch are obtained by taking the research course; however, the MSCI-TS elective course sch can also be counted towards the 11.0 sch.

How much does the program cost?

How do I apply to the MSCI-TS program?

Do I have to have my foreign transcripts translated?

    • Yes, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences requires that all foreign transcripts be translated by providing a list of all courses taken and the cumulative grade point average.  Foreign transcripts maybe translated from NACES Members (https://www.naces.org/members). WES and ECE are our preffed Evalutators for this program.

What is the deadline for submitting my application and required documentation to the MSCI Program?Fall semester (F-1 visa applicants only):  February 1st

    • Fall semester:  April 1st
    • Spring semester:  October 1st
    • Acceptance into the MSCI-TS Program does not guarantee approval of an applicant’s F-1 Visa.  The F-1 Visa must be obtained and the student must be able to begin class within the first two weeks of class or the student will be required to re-apply to the MSCI-TS Program.

Who are the contacts for the MSCI-TS program?

Where can I find the current semester schedule?

    • The current MSCI-TS course schedule can be found on the IIMS

Are all classes going to be scheduled during the normal workweek?

    • All MSCI-TS classes are scheduled during the week, Monday through Friday.  Class times are subject to change.  Typically, classes are held from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Can enroll in individual MSCI-TS courses without applying to the MSCI-TS program?

    • Yes, but you will have to apply as a non-degree seeking student through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.  MSCI courses taken as a non-degree seeking student will count towards the MSCI degree; however, the MSCI Program cannot be completed as a non-degree seeking student.

How do I apply as a non-degree seeking student through the Graduate School of Biomedical Science (GSBS)?

Can I audit classes?

The MSCI-TS Program actively discourages auditing for three reasons:

    • Persons who audits take up space that may be used by enrolled students.
    • Our experience with auditors is that they show up for 1-2 seminars and don’t return for the remainder of the semester.  If you are really serious about wanting to take a course, enroll!
    • Formula funding for the UTHSCSA from the Texas State Legislature depends on how many officially registered students are enrolled.  Therefore, it is to the advantage of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences to have all students attending courses officially registered and enrolled.