Clinical Research for Health Professionals

The MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program is a non-thesis curriculum designed for residents, fellows, and clinicians seeking knowledge in the conduct of translational and investigator-initiated research. The degree often acts as an advanced preparation for independent investigators and other practicing researchers familiar with clinical research while developing their clinical careers.

The program is also available to other clinical health professionals such as nurses (with a minimum of a bachelor's degree required), medical technologists, etc., to help these individuals advance their professional opportunities.

Online coursework coupled with supervised independent research activities will allow healthcare professionals in any academic hospital setting throughout the US to receive an MS degree from Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCoM).

Research Project

While the MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program does not require a thesis, the program is consistent with a master's level education that challenges students to clearly express well-organized thoughts in written form. The collection, analysis, and refinement of scientific information to produce a professional-level written document are crucial skills for those in the health professions. This requirement will expose students to the entire process of developing an independent research project and reporting on that research project up to and including experiencing a facsimile of the peer review and re-submission process. The research project will provide students with the opportunity to develop, test, and report on research hypotheses.

It is anticipated that each student will conduct a minimum of nine hours research per week for 3.0 credits per semester. Research may include a broad spectrum of clinical studies such as retrospective studies; bench-top studies in conjunction or not with pharmaceutical companies; development of new clinical methodologies/techniques; or development/evaluation of new medical devices. Research mentors must be established researchers with a doctoral degree. A key requirement of this mentored research is the support of a doctoral level mentor/advisor located at the institution where the student's research will be conducted. A curriculum vitae of the proposed research mentor must be submitted with the student's application for evaluation by the admissions committee and the program director. The appropriateness of the mentor will be evaluated by an ad hoc committee whose members come from the Graduate School faculty. The student must submit a 7-10 page journal-format paper at the end of each semester documenting their research and demonstrating that each successive semester's work builds upon their prior work.

Additional Information

Kamran Mohiuddin, M.D., M.B.A., FAPCR
Director, Graduate Programs in Clinical Research
[email protected]
215-762-3812

Transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.

Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.

If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.

Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.

International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to [email protected]. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.

If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Standardized Test Scores

GRE test scores are not required.

Test of English as a Foreign Language

International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 80/550/213), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 53) unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.

Essay

Please write an essay describing your career goals, including specific research and scholarly interests. Please be sure to indicate how your interests coincide with those of particular School of Education Faculty members.

Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.

Résumé

Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.

Letters of Recommendation

Recommenders should be able to speak to your academic performance.

Interview

Virtual, in-person, or telephone interview required for qualified applicants.

Academic Experience

Admission to this program requires a minimum 3.25 GPA (a 3.5 is preferred).

Writing Sample

Please submit a sample of scholarly writing, including but not limited to published articles, theses, or term papers, by mail or email as an attachment to [email protected].

Mailing Addresses