|
 |
|
Master's Degree Program in Clinical Research
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 science is also available for students pursuing careers in the translation of evidence into practice. 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 program faculty.
To complete the program, scholars will:
The Master’s Degree Program currently has one optional 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 their track’s specific objectives. Implementation Science Track The IS Track is ideal for researchers who plan to pursue areas that involve the development, implementation and/or evaluation of policies, practice-based interventions and/or community-based programs designed to: 1) improve uptake/safety/quality/access; 2) reach diverse populations; 3) reduce the overuse of diagnostic tests or treatments; or 4) provide preventative medicine or health promotion programs. Coursework in the track is guided by a conceptual framework that illustrates the different groups and organizations targeted by implementation research, and emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and community participation for the effective translation of evidence into practice. Masters Program scholars who elect the IS track begin coursework in the spring quarter of their first year and typically enroll in at least one IS course per quarter during the second year. In addition to course requirements, IS Track scholars receive career mentoring and specialized feedback on their research protocols. Scholars completing this track may list “Master of Advanced Study, Clinical Research with Specialization in Implementation Science” on their curriculum vitae. The IS Track is co-sponsored by the UCSF Implementation Science Progam and is co-directed by Dr. Ralph Gonzales and Dr. Margaret Handley. Questions about the track can be directed to Aria Yow, the Program Coordinator. One distinction of IS research is its emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and teamwork. The IS track increases scholars' exposure to and contact with a broad spectrum of UCSF faculty conducting IS research - an important step in developing a research network that scholars can call upon throughout their careers.
Each scholar selected for the Program will be asked to form a Master's Committee, which will consist of three faculty members:
The purpose of this committee is both to provide mentorship and to evaluate the achievement of the requirements for graduation. With the exception of the biostatistician (who will be assigned by the program), 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 Clair Dunne 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 Clair Dunne 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 Clair Dunne 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.
In mid-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.
To apply for the Master's program starting in Summer 2013, you must complete the online UCSF Graduate Division application, and pay the $80 nonrefundable processing fee by March 25, 2013.
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. 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.
Reference Report Form (Microsoft Word Format) 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. Note that such scholars must still provide three new letters of recommendation for the Master's degree program. Completed Master's applications in MS Word format should be sent by email to Clair Dunne (cdunne@psg.ucsf.edu). A signed hard copy of the application should also be sent to: Clair Dunne International Applicants: The Master's in Clinical Research program welcomes applications from international scholars who meet the prerequisites, but the program does not provide any financial aid or other support to international scholars. Prior to submitting an application, an international scholar should have established a relationship with a UCSF research mentor in an academic department that agrees to host the scholar during the two years of the Master's program. Typically the research mentor and host academic department will be in the area of the international scholar's clinical research. Note that at least one of the 3 required letters of recommendation in the application must be from the UCSF faculty member who will host the scholar during the two-year program. Once an international applicant has been accepted into the Master's program, the host department is expected to work with UCSF’s International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) and the international scholar to obtain the appropriate visa. Once the scholar arrives in San Francisco, the host department is expected to provide research mentoring, space and other support that the international scholar may require. Note that the program begins on July 29, 2013 so travel arrangements should be made to arrive in San Francisco by July 28, 2013. Deadline: Applications are due by March 25, 2013 for admission in Summer 2013. 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 $150 late fee. Additional late fees may apply for exceptionally late transactions. 5-Year Combined MD/MAS Applicants: The application deadline for the 5-year combined MD/MAS applicants is January 4, 2013. 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, 2013. 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 2013-14 are $24,720. Fees are subject to change without notice. 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 $8,558 the first year. Based on the current fee structure, we anticipate that in the second year, selected applicants will have their fees offset by up to an additional $3,000 to compensate for teaching assistance required in the second year (for a total offset of up to $11,558, although this is subject to change). Those applicants who meet the following criteria will be eligible for scholarship:
Procedures for Tuition Payment 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. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||
