Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program Overview

The goal of this program is to prepare investigators skilled in the conduct of outstanding clinical and translational research in culturally diverse settings.

The specific aims of the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program are to:  

  •  Support the intellectual environment at UT Health San Antonio for the optimal training of future clinical and translational investigators.  
  •  Provide fundamental curricular activities and valuable training opportunities in clinical and translational research to UT Health San Antonio students, postdoctoral trainees, and faculty from the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Health Professions, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences as well as from local organizations that are partnered with the UT Health San Antonio.  

The aims of the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program will be achieved via the completion of objective activities:  

  • Participation and successful completion of required didactic coursework  
  • Establishment of an approved supervising professor, research supervising committee and research project proposal  
  • Active involvement in an approved research project  
  • Formal, semi-annual assessment of progress  
  • Submission of an approved manuscript for peer-reviewed publication  
  • Award of the Master of Science degree in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science 

The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program was established in September 2000 – the first class was enrolled in August 2001. The program is part of the Institute for Integration of Medicine and Science (IIMS), which is funded by a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NIH/NCATS) (UL1 TR002645). The program is interdisciplinary and involves all five UT Health San Antonio schools.

The course format emphasizes active learning with readings, problem-solving, and homework assignments for each week. The assigned work is reviewed and analyzed in weekly sessions with course participants taking the responsibility and lead for initiating the discussions. To see the year plan, click here. 

Each semester consists of 16 weeks. A total of 30 semester credit hours is necessary to complete the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation program in the University of Texas system (e.g., a class that meets for 1 hour per week for 16 weeks constitutes 1 semester credit hour). The UT Health San Antonio's Graduate School considers students who are enrolled in 8 semester credit hours per semester as full time.