Master of Science in Clinical Research Degree Program

The UCSF Training in Clinical Research (TICR) program offers students in the UCSF School of Pharmacy PharmD degree program the opportunity to earn a master of science in clinical research (MSCR) degree.

About the program

The Master’s Degree 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 outcomes research, medical informatics, molecular methods in clinical research, and decision and cost-effectiveness analysis. 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. This is a self-supported program, and financial aid for programs that are not State-supported is very limited.

Prerequisites

  1. Possession of a PharmD degree or currently enrolled as a student pharmacist and will have completed at least two years of training in respective professional school prior to enrollment in the master’s program.
  2. 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.
  3. Established relationship with a research mentor.
  4. Affirmation of the Professional Conduct Statement (signed during orientation).

When to apply

Application to the program is made in winter/spring, and the MSCR program begins the following summer. The Office of Student and Curricular Affairs strongly recommends that you wait to apply until winter/spring of your third year and that you complete your PharmD before undertaking this course of study.

How to apply

  1. Complete the graduate division application.
  2. Complete a detailed master’s degree program application.

Duration

The two-year program requires 36 quarter units.

More info

Master’s Degree in Clinical Research