M.S. in Clinical Investigation and Development
The M.S. in Clinical Investigation and Development is a 36-credit master's degree p...
M.S. in Clinical Research
Boston
INTAKE: Jan & Sept
Program Overview
The M.S. in Clinical Research is a flexible graduate program, typically requiring around 30 credits and completable in less than two years, depending on the student's pace. It offers both full-time and part-time study options, as well as online and on-campus formats to accommodate diverse student needs. The program is specifically structured to build a complete toolkit for developing, conducting, and monitoring clinical trials. It prepares graduates for roles in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organizations (CROs), healthcare organizations, and federal or state healthcare agencies, focusing on translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.S. in Clinical Research is comprehensive and research-and-development focused. Core coursework includes "Pharmaceutical R&D: From Discovery to Market," "Research Methodology and Development of Protocols and Proposals," "Conducting Clinical Research Studies," "FDA and Regulatory Affairs," "Statistics in Clinical Research," "Laws and Regulations Governing Human Research," and "Health Epidemiology." The program also incorporates a "Graduate Project in Clinical Research" as a capstone experience. Students have the opportunity to select from dozens of elective courses to develop specialized knowledge, including options in Law and Health Policy, International Regulatory Affairs, Principles of Quality Assurance and Control, Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, Public Health, and more, allowing for either a patient-based or industry-related clinical research track.
Research Focus: The M.S. in Clinical Research program at MCPHS emphasizes an applied research focus, equipping students with the skills to effectively design, conduct, and analyze clinical studies. The curriculum's strong foundation in research methodology, biostatistics, and epidemiology directly prepares students for roles in clinical investigation. The "Graduate Project in Clinical Research" capstone allows students to apply their acquired knowledge to a practical research endeavor. While it is not a Ph.D. program, it trains students to understand and contribute to the rigorous processes involved in translating scientific discoveries from the lab to real-world healthcare applications, focusing on the science of standards and evidence-based practice.
Industry Engagement: MCPHS University boasts strong industry engagement, which is a cornerstone of the M.S. in Clinical Research program. Located in Boston's dense medical and biotech hub, students have unparalleled access to a vast network of pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, hospitals, and CROs. The curriculum features face-to-face coursework with executives who have extensive experience in drugs, devices, biologics, healthcare, and policy, providing invaluable real-world insights and networking opportunities. Graduates benefit from a substantial network of industry alumni. The program also offers flexibility with options for internships, providing students with direct, hands-on experience in leading industry and academic settings, ensuring the curriculum remains highly relevant to current professional needs.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Clinical Research program at MCPHS inherently incorporates a global perspective by addressing the universal principles and challenges of clinical investigation. Clinical trials and regulatory affairs are increasingly global endeavors, and the curriculum includes courses such as "International Regulatory Affairs" that directly explore worldwide guidelines and practices. By training students in the methodologies and ethical considerations of clinical research, the program prepares them to contribute to the advancement of medical breakthroughs that have a global impact on patient care. The diverse student body at MCPHS further enriches the learning environment, fostering an understanding of varied healthcare contexts and preparing graduates to work in an internationally collaborative research landscape.
Location
Boston
Score
IELTS 7
Tuition Fee
USD 27825
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 73 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 115.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in the United States offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed for international students to help make their education more affordable and accessible. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and financial need, enabling talented students from around the world to pursue their healthcare education without financial burden.
Merit-Based Scholarships: MCPHS provides merit-based scholarships that reward outstanding academic performance. International students with strong academic records, competitive test scores, and leadership potential may qualify for these scholarships, which can cover a significant portion of tuition fees.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While limited, some need-based scholarships and financial aid options are available to international students who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must provide evidence of their financial status and submit the required documentation during the admission process.
Program-Specific Scholarships: Certain colleges and departments within MCPHS offer specialized scholarships tailored to specific health science programs such as Pharmacy, Nursing, Physician Assistant Studies, and Public Health. These scholarships often prioritize candidates pursuing high-demand healthcare fields.
International Student Scholarship Opportunities: MCPHS frequently offers dedicated international student scholarships aimed at encouraging a diverse student body. These scholarships are competitive and awarded based on academic merit, leadership, and contributions to the community.
External Scholarships and Partnerships: International students at MCPHS are encouraged to explore external scholarship programs and partnerships offered by governments, private foundations, and international organizations. The university’s financial aid office provides guidance and resources to help students identify and apply for these opportunities.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Research from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) prepares graduates for a diverse array of roles in the burgeoning field of medical product development and evaluation.
Clinical Research Associate (CRA): CRAs, also known as clinical monitors, oversee clinical trials at various study sites. They ensure that trials adhere to protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and regulatory requirements, playing a crucial role in data integrity and patient safety.
Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC): Working directly at research sites, CRCs manage the day-to-day operations of clinical trials. Their responsibilities include patient recruitment, informed consent, data collection, regulatory documentation, and ensuring smooth trial progress.
Clinical Project Manager: A more senior role, Clinical Project Managers lead and manage entire clinical trials from initiation to close-out. They are responsible for budgeting, timelines, resource allocation, and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure successful project completion.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist: These professionals ensure that all aspects of clinical research and product development comply with federal and international regulations (e.g., FDA, EMA). They prepare and submit regulatory documents, advise on compliance issues, and navigate the approval process for new drugs, devices, and biologics.
Clinical Data Manager: Graduates in this role are responsible for the collection, cleaning, validation, and management of vast amounts of data generated during clinical trials. Their work is critical for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of data used for analysis and reporting.
Pharmacovigilance Specialist/Drug Safety Associate: These specialists monitor the safety of pharmaceutical products during clinical trials and once they are on the market. They collect, assess, and report adverse drug reactions, contributing to risk management and patient safety.
Medical Writer (Clinical Focus): With a strong understanding of clinical research principles and data, graduates can excel as medical writers, creating essential documents such as clinical study protocols, clinical study reports, investigator brochures, and manuscripts for publication.
Biostatistician (Entry-Level/Support): While advanced biostatistical roles often require a specialized degree, an M.S. in Clinical Research provides a strong foundation. Graduates can work as biostatistical support, assisting in the design of clinical trials, analyzing data, and interpreting statistical results for reports and presentations.
Clinical Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist: QA professionals ensure that clinical trials are conducted according to established standard operating procedures (SOPs), GCP, and regulatory standards. They conduct audits to identify and address deviations, maintaining the overall quality and compliance of research.
Clinical Research Scientist (Early Career): In pharmaceutical or biotech companies, these scientists contribute to the design of clinical trials, interpret study results, and may engage in translational research, bridging preclinical findings with human clinical applications.
