Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Degree Application

Official test scores, transcripts, and international transcript translations, described below, MUST also be sent to:

Registrar’s Office-Graduate Admissions - MSC 7702

UT Health San Antonio,

7703 Floyd Curl Drive

San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900

 

Applicants should utilize the Applicant Checklist of required documentation for admission. This form is available on the MSCI-TS Forms webpage. Additionally, an example can be found in the Appendices of the program Handbook.

All of the required information described below must be submitted in order for an applicant to be considered by the MSCI-TS Admissions Review Committee.  Requests for an exemption to any of these general admission requirements should be addressed to the MSCI-TS Program Director and sent directly to the MSCI-TS Academic Coordinator (Machuca@uthscsa.edu).

Required Documentation:

  1. Completed and submitted GSBS online application.  The GSBS online application can be found on the GSBS homepage.
  2. Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended.  (Upload documents to Application and Official Documents must be sent to UTHSA Registrar’s office.)
  3. A Course by Course Translation of All transcripts from international institutions (including GPA) must be evaluated and submitted by an approved NACES member international credentialing evaluation agency.  (Upload documents to Application and Official Documents must be sent to UTHSA Registrar’s office.)                            
  4. Official TOEFL or IELTS (academic version) scores taken within the past two (2) years for international applicants.
  5. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation attesting to the applicant's readiness for graduate level studies in clinical investigation and translational science.  These letters of recommendation should be uploaded by the individual recommenders who will receive an e-mail from the EMBARK online application system with a link to the Recommendation Form. 
    • Residents/Fellows in an approved UT Health San Antonio residency or fellowship program are required to submit one (1) of the three (3) letters from the departmental chair with a statement indicating the availability and approval of release time for the completion of the MSCI-TS educational and research activities.
    • Staff employed at UT Health San Antonio are required to submit one (1) of the three (3) letters from their authorized supervisor with a statement indicating the availability and approval of release time for the completion of the MSCI-TS educational and research activities.
    • Faculty (non-tenured only) at UT Health San Antonio are required to submit one (1) of the three (3) letters from the Chair of their department.  In addition, the Chair’s letter must have the approval signatures of both the Dean of the school that houses the department and the President of UT Health San Antonio.  (See the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP), Policy 3.2.5)
    • International Applicants are required at the time of application to submit one (1) of the three (3) letters from a UT Health San Antonio Faculty member stating their willingness to serve as the applicant’s Supervising Professor for the duration of their time in the MSCI-TS program.
  6. Statement of Purpose (a.k.a. Personal Statement) (1-2 pages) that includes a brief description of the applicant’s educational background. The applicant should express their long-term research and career goals, and clearly state how the MSCI-TS educational curriculum will fit in with and enhance their career objectives. The Statement of Purpose should be submitted with the online application to the GSBS. 
  7. Current curriculum vitae.  This should be submitted with the online application to the GSBS.  
  8. Copy of current visa (International Applicants).
  9. Copy of U.S. Medical License/Certificate for licensed health care professionals.

Application Process

An online application for admission into the MSCI-TS Program must be processed through UT Health San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS).  This application is available at:  MSCI-TS online application

As described in the online application for admission into the GSBS, official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended by the applicant are required, as well as official TOEFL or IELTS (academic version) test scores. Additionally, all transcripts from international institutions must be evaluated/translated and submitted by a NACES member international credentialing evaluation agency (preferably by WES or ECE).  Finally, for healthcare professionals applying to the program, a copy of the applicant’s medical license or other professional accreditation should also be submitted.

Deadlines

The MSCI-TS has an open application policy and will accept applications year-round for admission as allowed by the online application system. However, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences deadlines (for submission of application and required documentation) for matriculation into a specific academic semester are listed below. 

Applications for applicants intending to apply for or transfer an F-1 visa will only be accepted for consideration for matriculation in the Fall semester of each academic year.  

  • Fall Semester April 1  
  • Spring Semester October 1  

Applicants will have the responsibility for the timely submission of application materials to the MSCI-TS Program in order to meet the deadlines established by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences for registration and course enrollment.  

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

All applicants should have a sufficient educational background in the biological or biomedical sciences prior to application/admission to the program.  It is expected that most applicants will have a health professional degree (e.g., MD, DDS/DMD, or BS in nursing and/or allied health) or a BS/BA or MS degree with emphasis in a health-related discipline.  The following general requirements will be applied: 

  1. A medical, dental, masters and/or baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an U.S. equivalent degree and training at a foreign institution. All transcripts from foreign institutions (including GPA) must be evaluated and submitted by an approved NACES member foreign credentialing evaluation agency. The MSCI-TS preferred agencies are: The Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) or the World Education Services, Inc. (WES).
  2. A Grade Point Average (GPA) no lower than a B (3.00 in a 4.00 system) in the last 60 hours of coursework for a BS/BA degree or a GPA of at least 3.0 for applicants with a MS degree.  
  3. A minimum score of 84 on the internet version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.5 on the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for our international applicants. Scores on the TOEFL and IELTS (academic version) tests taken more than two years prior to the date of application will not be accepted.

Application Review

After receipt of the online application together with all the required admission materials outlined above, the MSCI-TS Admissions Review Committee and the MSCI-TS Committee on Graduate Studies (COGS) will review and provide an admission recommendation to the Graduate School for Biomedical Data Science. 

The MSCI-TS Admissions Review Committee will review each application individually and will consider: the applicant’s undergraduate and graduate course work and degree(s)  and, if applicable, TOEFL or IELTS (academic version) tests, research experience, and all other required documentation submitted with the online application or sent directly to the Academic Program Coordinator. Research experience is not required but may be beneficial.  

After sequential review by the MSCI-TS Admissions Review Committee and the MSCI-TS COGS, applicants will be formally notified of the outcome by the Graduate School for Biomedical Science office. The MSCI-TS COGS recommends admission to the most highly qualified applicants regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, the nation of origin, or disability.  

An approved supervising professor, research supervising committee, and research project proposal are required for the successful completion of the program; however, they are not a prerequisite in consideration for admission into the program. 

If an applicant has completed all required Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science courses as a non-degree seeking student in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, they must be eligible to enroll in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science course, Mentored Research in Clinical Investigation (TSCI 6097), at the time of application to the program. Therefore, they must have identified a supervising professor, research supervising committee, and submitted a research project proposal as part of their application.