Program Objectives
Our Master of Science in Clinical Research program provides training for health professionals interested in patient-oriented research.
This flexible and personalized program is designed for a variety of students. You receive the training to understand and conduct, supervise and coordinate clinical research tasks.
Students who complete the program will be able to carry out the following:
- Demonstrate the ability to design and conduct clinical research, analyze data, and interpret results to answer a research question
- Demonstrate the ability to read and critique the clinical research literature
- Present clinical research findings (from literature or their own research) to peers
Our mission is to provide you with a rigorous academic experience and hands-on exposure to clinical research.
Graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as competently trained clinical research professionals.
Graduation Requirements
The program consists of three components:
- Minimum of 32 graduate credits
- Clinical research thesis project
- Public presentation/defense
A curriculum in the following subject areas is required:
- Bioinformatics
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Research Design
- Ethics, Regulatory, and Compliance for Clinical Research
- Health Care Outcomes
- Thesis Research
Transfer credits from other RUSH University Colleges or other institutions may be accepted dependent upon approval of the program director.
Only coursework taken within the five years previous to program matriculation will be reviewed. Approval is not guaranteed.
Thesis research
You are required to complete a thesis that applies the principles learned in the coursework to a real-life research project.
The thesis research can be conducted in a variety of settings including, academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical or device companies.
Academic standing
You must meet the following to remain in good standing:
- Maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average
- Earn a pass in courses with a pass/no pass option
- Meet the requirements of the program at the end of each term See the course catalog for more information.
Time limitations
You are expected to meet all requirements for graduation within three academic years. This period begins when you matriculate.
Exceptions to the time limitation must be submitted in writing to the Academic Standards Committee in writing. See the University course catalog for more information.
Course Curriculum
Required coursework: 27 credits
You are required to complete 15 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of thesis research.
- CRE - 556 Clinical Research Design (Credits: 4)
- CRE - 560 Health Care Outcomes (Credits: 4)
- CRE - 561 Introduction to Epidemiology (Credits: 2)
- GCC - 546 Principles of Biostatistics I (Credits: 2)
- GCC - 548 Bioinformatics (Credits: 1)
- GCC - 551 Ethics and IRB (Credits: 2)
- CRE - 597 Thesis Research (Credits: 1-9)
Additional required coursework: 5 credits
You must select an additional five credits of coursework from the following courses:
- CRE - 500 Clinical Research in Practice (Credits: 3)
- CRE - 562 Advanced Epidemiology (Credits: 2)
- GCC - 547 Principles of Biostatistics II (Credits: 2)
- GCC - 549 Bioinformatics II (Credits: 1)
- GCC - 594 Introduction to Grant Writing (Credits: 2)
View the current course catalog
Refer to the course catalog for our most up-to-date curriculum information.