Our Graduate Programs
We offer an MS degree in Clinical Investigation and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Investigation.
Course of Study
The curriculum is designed to familiarize students with experimental design, statistics, clinical research, and the communication of clinical research. A significant portion of the CI curricula is devoted to mentored clinical research and scientific communication.
Our programs are beneficial for medical students or clinicians interested in pursuing research in their clinical practice, and nurses, research associates, or technicians interested in focusing their careers on research. The Certificate in CI can also afford graduate students with little to no patient contact the opportunity to gain relevant experience.
Learning Objectives
The CI programs train investigators in techniques and processes utilized in clinical research. It will provide trainees, through didactic courses and mentored experiences in clinical investigation, with a strong foundation in the core skills and methods necessary for success in clinical research. This program offers specific competencies in Communication, Research Ethics and Research Design and Analysis.
Communication
- Apply principles of the responsible conduct of clinical research
- Demonstrate critical thinking & decision-making ability
- Demonstrate the ability to document research and other scientific writing
- Demonstrate skills in grant writing applying for federal, foundation, and industry funding
- Demonstrate the ability to present oral presentations to various audiences (including but not restricted to peers, academic societies, thesis committees, journal clubs) of research, scientific concepts and methodology, literature reviews etc.
Research Ethics and Analysis
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and document focused research questions and construct testable research hypotheses
- Be able to list the principles of IRB, IACUC & IBC protocols for clinical research Describe how the IRB process works; write, edit and review IRB protocols
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze the clinical literature
- Be able to list and explain the elements (statistical, epidemiological, and operational) of clinical and translational study design
- Be able to analyze clinical and laboratory study results with an understanding of therapeutic and comparative effectiveness
Data Management and Informatics
- Describe and list the roles that biostatistics and informatics serve in biomedical and public health research
- Demonstrate the use of epidemiological concepts and statistical methods in data mining.
- List and describe how knowledge discovery applies to health-related fields
- Document the use of data mining software to solve practical problems in health services research.
FAQ
32 credit hours are required for the MS and 18 credit hours are required for the certificate.
We do accept transfer credits. This is determined on a case by case basis.
The courses for the MS are designed to be taken in two years. The courses for the Certificate are designed to be taken in one year; however, some flexibility is possible, and courses may be taken over a two-year period, with approval.
Our programs are beneficial for medical students or clinicians interested in pursuing research in their clinical practice, and nurses, research associates, or technicians interested in focusing their careers on research. The Certificate in CI can also afford graduate students with little to no patient contact the opportunity to gain relevant experience.
- MD in a residency or fellowship
- RN with appropriate coursework
- PhD and predoctoral students with appropriate coursework
We encourage students from all backgrounds to apply. A bachelor's degree is required. There are not specific GPA requirements, but grades are looked at along with other accomplishments and experience.
The Master of Science and Certificate in CI afford graduate students with little to no patient contact who are planning to enter industry or a clinical venue the opportunity to gain relevant experience. Specifically, graduates of the certificate program may become medical liaisons, clinical specialists, clinical research coordinators, regulatory specialists, and more.
Contact Us
Feel free to reach out with questions:
Sara McCallum
Program Director, Clinical Investigation
[email protected]
518-262-2927
Albany Medical College
47 New Scotland Ave., MC-136
Albany, NY 12208