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• Applications are due March 22, 2010 for admission in Summer 2010.
• Applications are due January 4, 2010 for the 5-Year combined MD/MAS for admission in Summer 2010.

Note:
• All courses are held in the TICR Program's facilities at China Basin Landing with the exception of the morning courses during the Summer Quarter, where they are held on the Parnassus campus.
• Scholars are strongly encouraged to own a wireless-capable laptop computer for use in computer labs in various courses and to take advantage of the wireless internet network at China Basin.

OVERVIEW

The Master's Degree Program in Clinical Research is a two-year course of study intended for advanced pre-doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty members who wish to master clinical research methods and pursue independent research careers. Course work extends beyond that which is required for the ATCR Certificate Program to include instruction in advanced epidemiologic and biostatistical methods and specialized topics such as qualitative research, medical informatics, molecular methods in clinical research, and decision and cost-effectiveness analysis. A focused track in implementation and dissemination sciences research is also available. In addition to coursework, requirements include a comprehensive review of the literature in the scholar's field, presentation of original work at a national scientific meeting, and publication of a peer-reviewed manuscript. Scholars will work closely with mentors in their home departments and preceptors chosen from the TICR faculty.

OBJECTIVES

1. Acquire a mastery of a broad set of clinical research methods.
2. Plan and implement one or more clinical research projects.
3. Present research findings at a national meeting.
4. Write a comprehensive literature review and publish one or more first-authored peer-reviewed original research papers.
5. Obtain experience in the instruction of clinical research methods.

PREREQUISITES

• Possession of a MD, PhD, DDS or PharmD degree, or currently enrolled as a medical, dental, or pharmacy student and will have completed at least two years of training in respective professional school prior to enrollment in the Master's program.
• Ability to devote at least 70% of time to this program and to the conduct of the scholar's own research during August to May in at least two academic years.
• Established relationship with a research mentor at UCSF.
• Affirmation of the Professional Conduct Statement (signed during orientation).

TRACKS

The Master’s Degree Program currently has one focused track of specialized instruction in which scholars can elect to enroll and anticipates other tracks in the future. Scholars in these tracks will be required to take the core set of courses in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods that underlies clinical research and will use their elective courses for focused instruction in the track’s specific objectives.

Implementation and Dissemination Sciences Track
Implementation and dissemination sciences (IDS) research is aimed at enhancing the adoption and appropriate adaptation (i.e., translation) of best evidence-based practices and policies in clinical care and public health; and the development of best evidence through community engagement. The IDS Track in the Master’s Program responds to the increasing concern of the NIH, the Institute of Medicine — and many others — that the tremendous advances we have achieved in developing effective tests, treatments and preventive measures are not being fully translated into improved population health. Thus, IDS Research relates to the 2nd arm of translational research: the 1st arm (“T1”) being translating discoveries from the laboratory to human subjects, and the 2nd arm (“T2”) translating effective discoveries from clinical research (behaviors, therapies, or devices) into practice in the community.

The IDS Track is ideal for students who plan to pursue research areas that will involve the development, implementation and/or evaluation of policies, practice-based interventions and/or community-based programs designed to improve uptake/safety/access (or reduce the overuse) of diagnostic tests, treatments or preventative behaviors. Coursework in the track is guided by a conceptual framework based upon the various groups whom are targeted in IDS research as well as community input. In addition to tailored course requirements, IDS Track scholars will receive specialized feedback on their research protocols and career mentoring. Scholars completing this track may list “Master of Advanced Study, Clinical Research with Specialization in Implementation and Dissemination Sciences” on their curriculum vitae.

The IDS Track is co-sponsored by the UCSF Program in Implementation and Dissemination Sciences and is directed by Dr. Ralph Gonzales and co-directed by Dr. Margaret Handley, to whom questions about the track should be directed. There is also an extensive list of faculty engaged in the practice of IDS research with whom scholars will interact during coursework and seminars. One distinction of IDS research is its emphasis/need for multidisciplinary collaborators and teams, and facilitating exposure and contact with UCSF faculty conducting IDS research in these areas is the first step in establishing a research network that scholars can utilize throughout their careers.

Other Tracks
We anticipate the development of a focused track in “laboratory to human subjects” (“T1”) translational research in the near future.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

MASTER'S COMMITTEE

Each scholar selected for the Program will be asked to form a Master's Committee, which will consist of three faculty members:

1. A representative from the scholar's academic field (e.g., cardiology). This individual should be conducting primary research in the scholar's chosen field and will typically be a faculty member at UCSF. Upon approval from the TICR Steering Committee, individuals from outside of UCSF (e.g., UC, Berkeley; Stanford; or Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical Industry) may serve in this capacity. To request to include an individual outside of UCSF, scholars should provide the Master's Program Director with the individual's curriculum vitae and a letter of justification.
2. An epidemiologist/clinical researcher faculty member (primary or secondary/affiliated appointment) from the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. If possible, a faculty member with working knowledge of the scholar's substantive interests should be chosen.
3. A biostatistician faculty member (primary or secondary/affiliated appointment) from the UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. If possible, a faculty member with working knowledge of the scholar's substantive interests should be chosen.

The purpose of this committee is both to provide mentorship and to evaluate the achievement of the requirements for graduation. Scholars should select and submit committee members to the Master's Program Director by the end of the Winter Quarter in the first year. One committee member should be selected as the Chairperson, whose role is to arbitrate when there is significant disagreement among committee members or to advocate for the scholar if he/she is experiencing difficulties gaining access to other committee members or scheduling meetings of the committee. The Chairperson must hold either a primary or secondary/affiliated faculty appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. It is expected that scholars will meet with their committees at least quarterly to review progress and set future objectives.

By the end of their first year, scholars will be required to complete the "Initial Committee Review" form indicating, 1) that they have had at least one meeting with all 3 members of their Master's Committee present and, 2) that the committee members and scholar agree that the scholar is making satisfactory progress toward meeting the program requirements (i.e., the comprehensive literature review, first-authored presentation and manuscript). The completed form should be sent to Allison Deneen at Box 0560 by June 30 of the first year in the program. Scholars must complete this form in order to be eligible to register for subsequent quarters.

At no less than 6 months prior to the date that scholars anticipate completing the last of their original research research products (i.e., the comprehensive literature review, first-authored presentation and manuscript), scholars are required to complete the "Pre-Graduation Review" form indicating that they have had at least one meeting with all 3 members of their Master's Committee present where the content and timeline were agreed upon regarding the completion of the three research products. For example, if the scholar plans to graduate at the end of the Spring quarter of the second year (the minimum length of stay in the program), then he/she will need to file for graduation by approximately June 7 and thus should complete the "Pre-Graduation Review" form by no later than December 7. The purpose of this "Pre-Graduation Review" meeting is to ensure that the Committee is well aware of the exact projects the scholars have chosen to fulfill their requirements. The completed form should be sent to Allison Deneen at Box 0560.

At no less than 3 months prior to the date that scholars anticipate completing the last of their original research products (i.e., the comprehensive literature review, first-authored presentation and manuscript), scholars are also required to complete the "Final Graduation Review" form indicating that they have had at least one meeting with all 3 members of their Master's Committee present where a final plan and timeline were agreed upon regarding the content and completion of the three research products. For example, if the scholar plans to graduate at the end of the Spring quarter of the second year (the minimum length of stay in the program), then he/she will need to file for graduation by approximately June 7 and thus should complete the "Final Graduation Review" form by no later than March 7. The purpose of this "Final Graduation Review" meeting is to ensure that the Committee is well aware of and agrees with the final plans the scholar has made to fulfill the program's research product requirements. The objective is to avoid last minute submissions to Committee members, which defeat the purpose of obtaining the members' well-reasoned advice. It is, however, anticipated that the scholar will continue to meet with Committee members, either together or individually, after this required "Final Graduation Review" meeting for further mentoring and review of the scholar's work. When planning for final approval of products by Master's Committee members, scholars should expect that Committee members may require as long as three weeks to return comments to the scholar. Therefore, Committee members should be presented with drafts of the required products well before the scholars' anticipated graduation. The completed form and electronic files of all three required products should be sent to Allison Deneen at Box 0560.

At all required Committee meetings (and any other meetings held with the full committee), the scholar should take the responsibility for setting the agenda for the meeting, including sending out the agenda and accompanying materials (e.g., drafts of products) by e-mail at least one week prior to the meeting.

UCSF GRADUATION

In late May of each year, the UCSF Graduate Division invites all Master's Program scholars who anticipate graduating in the calendar year to participate in university-wide graduation ceremonies. Information about the ceremony is distributed in approximately March of each year.

GRANTWRITING TUTORIAL

Although not a required component of the program, scholars in the Master's Degree Program in Clinical Research are eligible to receive assistance in grantwriting via a tutorial with Mr. Tom Mitchell. In this tutorial, Mr. Mitchell will work with a select number of scholars individually over the course of several months to guide them through the grant writing process, to instruct them regarding how to write individual grant components (e.g., specific aims, background and significance, methods, etc.), to review and edit successive drafts of individual components, and to ensure timely completion and submission of grant applications. The grantwriting tutorial will be offered 3 times a year, in accordance with NIH funding cycles for career development and investigator-initiated research projects (i.e., February 1, June 1, and October 1, or January 2, May 1, and September 1 for HIV-related projects). The tutorial will be open to post-doctoral fellows and faculty members in the Master's Degree Program who would be classified at NIH as a "new investigator" and who intend to apply for either a patient-oriented research career development award (NIH K series) or submit their first investigator-initiated research grant (NIH R series) for a clinical research project. Scholars intending to apply for substantial grants to other agencies or foundations are also eligible. Scholars interested in this tutorial should contact Mr. Mitchell (tmitchell@psg.ucsf.edu) directly at least 5 months prior to the proposed submission deadline.

APPLICATION

To apply for the Master's program starting in Summer 2010, you must complete the online UCSF Graduate Division application, and pay the $70 nonrefundable processing fee by March 22, 2010. The Graduate Division application will be available on November 30.

In addition to the Graduate Division application, you must also complete a detailed Master's Degree Program application. The Master's application is available in a ready-to-use Microsoft Word format (created on Word for Office 97 for the PC). To use this, click on the "Microsoft Word Format" button below. The word document should then appear in your browser. Next select "File > Save As" from the menu bar and save a local copy of the document to your computer. Make sure to save a copy of the file on your computer before attempting to use the file.

If you are not able to access the application in the Microsoft Word format, please download the .pdf version of the application by clicking on the pdf button below. This can then be printed out and completed by typing where indicated.

Scholars either currently in or graduated from the ATCR Credit-bearing Certificate Program may submit updated versions of their original applications to the ATCR Program. Such scholars must still provide all necessary transcripts and three new letters of recommendation.

Completed Master's applications in MS Word format should be sent by email to Chris Ireland, MPH, Program Coordinator (cireland@psg.ucsf.edu). A signed hard copy of the application should also be sent to:

Chris Ireland, MPH
University of California, San Francisco
Box 0560
San Francisco, CA 94143

Deadline: Applications are due by March 22, 2010 for admission in Summer 2010. All materials must be received by this date. If any portion of the application is not received by this date, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be further considered without petition, explanation, and payment of $75 late fee.

5-Year Combined MD/MAS Applicants: The application deadline for the 5-year combined MD/MAS applicants is January 4, 2010. Please complete the Master's Program application as described above and send it by e-mail to George Sawaya (sawayag@obgyn.ucsf.edu) by January 4, 2010. Send a signed hard copy to Dr. Sawaya at Campus Box 0856.

Costs: The Master's Program is a minimum two-year course of study, requiring registration for seven quarters (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring in the first year and Fall, Winter, Spring in the second year). Fees for 2009-2010 are $18,000 per year for the two-year program. Withdrawal after enrollment into the program will be subject to a $150 non-refundable fee. Selected applicants will be eligible to have their fees offset by a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Scholarship of up to $7300 the first year. Fees and scholarship amounts for 2010-2011 will be available in spring 2010. Those applicants who meet the following criteria will be eligible:

1. Demonstrated excellence in the performance of academic work and clinical care, based on prior transcripts, publications, and letters of recommendation. This criterion will be evaluated by the Master's Degree Program Admissions Committee.
2. Concurrent enrollment in a UCSF/UCB-sponsored residency or post-doctoral fellowship program; or student at UCSF/UCB; or individuals who hold full-time salaried UCSF/UCB faculty or academic positions.

An additional offset of fees will be available in the scholar's second year in the program depending upon the scope and magnitude of his/her contribution as an instructional assistant.

Health Insurance: Please note the student service fee included as part of the tuition for the Master's program DOES NOT include student health insurance. If you do not have health insurance coverage, you will need to arrange and pay for this yourself. As a graduate student at UCSF, you are eligible for coverage through the Scholars and Researchers Health Plan. Please contact Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) directly at 476-1281.

Late payments: Please note that when you are accepted to the Master's program, you will receive a payment form with a deadline for fee payment. If you miss this deadline, we reserve the right to charge you a late fee of $150. This is in addition to the fee that may be charged by the Office of Admission and Registrar.

Scholars are also strongly encouraged to own a wireless-capable laptop computer for use in computer labs in various courses and to take advantage of the wireless internet network at the TICR Program's facility at the China Basin Landing Building.

The statistical software package Stata (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas) is used in the program. The TICR Program has arranged for a sizeable discount for UCSF-affiliated personnel via the Stata GradPlan program.

Interviews: Selected applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee or its designate.

Changing Degree Objective to ATCR Certificate: If you decide after enrolling in the program that you do not want to continue in the Master's degree program and instead wish to stop your training after the first year and earn the Advanced Training in Clinical Research Certificate, you will need to obtain the approval of the TICR Program Director, and officially change your degree objective with the Office of Admission and Registrar. You will then be charged the fee for the year-long ATCR Credit Bearing program.