Bridging the Gap: Clinical Research Master's Degree
The master’s degree in Clinical Research helps students meet the demand for well-qualified clinical researchers in academia and industry. This critical need for individuals who are able to conduct credible patient-based research within stringent ethical and regulatory guidelines continues to grow. Current estimates point to the need for more than 50,000 qualified clinical investigators for industry-sponsored drug development in the United States alone. Furthermore, San Diego is one of the most advanced centers in the world for biotechnology and clinical research.
What You Will Learn
For the research requirement of the Master's degree in Clinical Research, students delve into the nuances of clinical research methodologies, emphasizing data interpretation, statistical analysis, and results presentation. Without requiring wet lab work or patient interaction, the curriculum hones analytical skills through hands-on projects, utilizing state-of-the-art software tools. Graduates leave equipped to conduct in-depth analyses, craft comprehensive research protocols, and effectively communicate complex findings to diverse audiences.
- Analyze a clinical problem, including its relevant epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current therapy.
- Identify gaps in knowledge of the disease or its treatment.
- Design observational or interventional studies.
- Learn data management and analysis skills, including statistics and data quality assessment.
- Develop skills in software programming: R, SQL, SPSS, and get a taste of SAS.
- Gain ethical and regulatory knowledge and practical skills.
Who Is This Program For?
- Ideally suited for working professionals in the early to mid-stage of their careers.
- Features an interactive classroom environment where faculty help students apply knowledge gained in the course to current situations and challenges in their own research.
- Broad-based curriculum covers the principles of epidemiology, bio-statistics, patient-oriented research, health services/outcomes research, applied quantitative analysis, and professional development seminars for clinical researchers.
- High-level clinical research project in the student’s final term.
The degree requires 40 quarter units of study that can be completed in 12, 18, or 24 months. Students are admitted to the program with a summer quarter start (July).
Courses are taught at the UC San Diego Extended Studies building at University City Center. Please visit their site for maps and transportation information.
Increasingly, careers in clinical research demand that professionals have a solid understanding of translational research principles applied to the discovery and development of biomedical products.
Online Information Session
View our most recent online information session to learn more about the program.
clre@ucsd.edu