Program Statistics
Visit Master's Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Clinical Investigation
Degree Types: MS
The Degree Program in Clinical Investigation is sponsored by the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) institute.
This program is part-time and consists of evening courses primarily for medical residents, fellows and junior faculty members who wish to receive formal training in clinical research. Other medical professionals in the Chicago area may be eligible to enroll. All program participants are expected to be actively engaged in research with a mentor, preferably one at NU, who should have national funding—NIH, AHA, etc. MSCI courses are open to graduate students in other life sciences' programs at NU to explore the application of basic science concepts to medicine. Students can enter the program at the beginning of any of the four quarters.
The program provides rigorous education in quantitative and ethically sound methods for the design, implementation, analysis, and publication of clinical research studies. In addition to courses in clinical trials and grant writing, students take courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, translational research, and medical writing.
Our faculty, who engage in clinical research training and participate in course design and instruction, are drawn from various departments including medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, pulmonary, and neurology.
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact Adam White
Graduate Programs Administrator
312-503-2244
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
Master's
Total Units Required: 10
Eight units of classroom courses and two units comprising a mentored clinical research project that must be submitted for publication are required. Because courses are offered during all four quarters of the year, including summer, the degree can be accomplished over the course of two years. Students are expected to take one classroom course per quarter and be engaged in a mentored research project by the second quarter of classes.
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | |
| MSCI 321-1 | Biostatistics for Clinical Investigators 1 |
| MSCI 322-0 | Introduction to Epidemiology for Clinical Investigators |
| MSCI 330-0 | Electronic Health Record Data as a Foundation for Clinical Research |
| MSCI 335-0 | Clinical Trials |
| MSCI 421-0 | Biostatistics for Clinical Investigators 2 |
| MSCI 440-0 | Antiracist Strategies for Clinical and Translational Research |
| MSCI 445-0 | Writing & Peer Reviewing for Publication for Clinical Investigators |
| MSCI 499-0 | Research Project |
| Electives | |
| MSCI 311-0 | Clinical Research Design, Methods, and Grant Writing |
| MSCI 490-0 | Independent Study |
| MSCI 514-0 | MSCI Concurrent Clinical and Research Responsibilities |
Other Degree Requirements
- Research/Projects: Research/Projects: Students must complete two units comprising a mentored clinical research project. This project must be submitted for publication before the student can graduate.