The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) at Washington University is designed as a one to three year full- or part-time degree program for young investigators committed to pursuing academic careers in clinical research.  The unique program combines didactic coursework with mentored research and career development opportunities and provides students with the knowledge and tools to excel in the areas of clinical investigation most relevant to their careers.Individuals who participate in a CRTC training program (i.e. Postdoctoral MTPCI, KL2, KM1 or K12) are eligible to pursue the MSCI degree as their didactic course of study.  The MSCI is also available as a stand-alone program to individuals who are not US Citizens or permanent US residents.  

The MSCI is a 33-credit degree program.  Students of the program:

• Engage in high-quality didactic courses with mentored research and a weekly multidisciplinary seminar to meet the needs of clinicians seeking training in clinical research.
• Gain knowledge in the core competencies of clinical research and investigation such as study design, research implementation, statistical approaches, responsible conduct of research, community engagement, scientific communication and literature critique, and leadership.
  • Sample courses include: Introductory and Intermediate Biostatistics, Designing Outcomes and Clinical Research, Epidemiology, Scientific Writing, Grantwriting, and Ethical and Legal Issues in Clinical Research.
• May pursue one of three concentrations: Translational Medicine, Genetics/Genomics, or Clinical Investigation. Each concentration provides focused training that is tailored specifically to a student’s interest within clinical and translational research.
• Attend a weekly, multidisciplinary seminar in order to learn about alternative research designs and methods through the discussion and presentation of peers’ research and obtain key feedback from senior faculty and peers with expertise in their field
• Attend monthly career development sessions to learn best practices in areas critical to success in clinical research including: grant writing, data management, intellectual property management, budgeting, ethics and other areas.
• Complete a thesis requirement that consists of a clinical research manuscript submitted for publication.
• Participate in a formal, structured mentorship program that offers an opportunity to work alongside faculty renowned for their innovative clinical research and teaching experience.
• May enroll full or part-time to accommodate clinical schedules at any point in a career.

Contact us for more information or to register:

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Program Coordinator – Curriculum & Evaluation
314-454-8936

• Benefits

  • Access to a multidisciplinary pool of highly qualified mentors who will guide research projects and career development.
  • As an MSCI student, you will have access to the Clinical Research training Center. The Center provides computer labs, break-out rooms, a classroom, poster printing, and administrative office suites.

  Email Us: MSCI Program Inquiries

• Program Requirements

  • Jump Menu
  • Didactic Coursework
  • Thesis
  • CRTC Seminar
  • Mentors
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
  • IRB Approvals
  • Career Development Plans
  • Research Symposium and Poster Session

  Didactic Coursework

  All MSCI Scholars must complete 33 credit hours of didactic coursework, including sixteen core credits, four credits of MTPCI Research Seminar, six credits of electives and six-seven credits of mentored independent research. For additional information about the specific courses required for each of the concentrations, please see the MSCI Concentrations.

  Thesis

  Scholars will form a thesis committee and meet with them at least twice per year. The committee meetings will consist of reviewing the scholar’s plan for completing and publishing a research project and manuscript. The Final approval meeting will consist of a formal 15-minute presentation of the research followed by the committee’s discussion of the manuscript.

  CRTC Seminar

  Scholars are required to attend the weekly CRTC Seminar (currently held on Tuesday afternoons) during the Fall and Spring semesters (mid-August through May). During their first or second years of the Program, scholars are required to present research-in-progress once each year. Feedback will be provided by the Directors, Mentors and peers in attendance. The second week of each month will be dedicated to Career Development topics. During these seminars, speakers will be invited from outside the MSCI Program to present.

  Mentors

  Developing a successful clinical and translational research career requires strong relationships with mentors and a research team. Each Scholar must have program-approved research mentors. This mentor will be the Scholar’s main source of research supervision and career development. It is expected that Scholars will meet weekly with their mentor and that the mentor will be available for consultation and support concerning the Scholar’s current projects and future progress. The mentor is expected to provide formal feedback to the scholar at least annually. In addition to the Scholar’s research mentor, the Program will appoint a Program Mentor for the scholar to further assist in each Scholar’s Career Development during the Program.

  Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

  Scholars are required to complete the course Ethical and Legal Issues in Clinical Research (M17-510) during their time in the program as part of their training in the Responsible Conduct of Research.

  IRB Approvals

  Scholars are required to provide to the Program current IRB approvals for their research project(s).

  Career Development Plans

  MSCI Scholars must establish a Career Development Plan in consultation with their mentors and must submit the plan by September 15th each year. The plan should include career development goals for the next 1-5 years, career objectives for each goal, research activities/projects that will assist the Scholar in meeting the objectives, and an overview of the courses, workshops and other educational/training activities that the Scholar plans to pursue. For each objective, the Scholar should indicate what individual products (degrees, publications, presentations, grants, etc.) are expected. A timeline should be constructed to display the individual objectives, educational activities, research activities and products.

  Career Development Retreat All MSCI scholars are required to attend the annual Retreat hosted by the CRTC. During the late-afternoon event, speakers will highlight topics of relevance to Scholars’ Career Development and Research.

  Research Training Symposium and Poster Session

  In October of each year, the Washington University School of Medicine hosts a school-wide, half day Research Training Symposium and Poster session. All MSCI scholars in their second year and beyond are required to submit an abstract and present a poster.

  Program Evaluation

  Scholars are expected to complete required Program evaluations twice per year. These evaluations are administered online and are mandatory for all Scholars.

  Email Us: MSCI Program Inquiries

• Eligibility

  • Jump Menu
  • Level of Education
  • Citizenship
  • Mentor

  Level of Education

  MSCI candidates must either be enrolled in a pre- or post-doctoral mentored research program at Washington University School of Medicine or hold a post-doctoral appointment at Washington University in a health science.

  Citizenship

  Eligible applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and have in their possession an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551) or other legal verification of admission for permanent residence. Individuals on temporary or student visas are eligible provided that they hold a valid US visa and a postdoctoral appointment at Washington University. The MSCI program is unable to sponsor visas. Typically, students who desire to enter the program obtain a visa sponsored through their research department.

  Mentor

  Applicants must have an established relationship with a senior faculty member prior to beginning the MSCI program. Applicants should look for mentors that match their research interests. You should contact each mentor you are interested in working with directly stating your interest in their research and your desire to work with them. Suggested mentors can be found under profiles. If you are having problems finding a mentor, please contact us.

  Email Us: MSCI Program Inquiries

• Apply

  For application materials, contact the MSCI Curriculum & Evaluation Coordinator:

  Angela Wilson, MEd
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  314-454-8936

  Email Us: MSCI Program Inquiries

• FAQ