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, which is funded by a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health, 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 a Masters 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.

Student Pathways in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science

After acceptance, students may complete the requirements for graduation while enrolled as either a full-time or part-time student. However, students on an F-1 visa are required to be enrolled as full-time students while completing the requirements for graduation.  

Full-Time students

Full-time work is regarded as enrollment in at least eight semester credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. However, to complete the program in two years (with an approved research project proposal at entry) the student must enroll for at least nine semester credit hours.

Part-time Students

Part-time students are enrolled for less than eight semester credit hours during the fall or spring semesters. Earning the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science degree as a part-time student will usually require three to four years. A part-time student must enroll in at least four semester credit hours per semester.

UT Health San Antonio Faculty and Staff as Students in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program

UT Health San Antonio faculty (non-tenured, including tenure track without tenure) and staff may apply for admission in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program. However, faculty (non-tenured, including tenure track without tenure) must adhere to the HOP Policy 3.2.5. (Work Towards Advanced Degree). The amount of course work that can be taken by faculty or staff in a given semester is subject to the ‘quantity of work’ rules outlined in the current UT Health San Antonio Catalog and Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP).  

Foreign National Students

Consistent with the aims of the program, the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science COGS firmly believes that enrollment in courses related to the conduct of clinical investigation is directly relevant to the research education of fellows and trainees at UT Health San Antonio. Consequently, denying access to the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science courses to foreign nationals (persons at UT Health San Antonio on a J-1 or H-1B visa) potentially puts them at a disadvantage in their research education and experiences. Additionally, the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program will directly benefit the J-1 and H-1B visa programs because the skills taught in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science courses will enhance the quality of the candidates’ work that they were hired to do under the auspices of these visas. Any individual on a J-1 Research Scholar visa will be referred to the Office of International Services for review and approval.  

Accordingly, the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science COGS has agreed to the following enrollment principles for persons with J-1 or H-1B visa status.  

1. They may be accepted as a candidate working towards the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science degree, but enrollment in classes must be incidental to their primary activities for which they came to UT Health San Antonio.  

2. They may enroll as part-time students in up to four SCH of didactic coursework per semester; enrollment in more than four semester credit hours requires prior approval from the Office of International Services. These four (4) SCH will be informal lecture and seminar courses which are ‘incidental to’ the purpose of the visa.  

3. They may enroll in research semester credit hours under the supervision of their Supervising Professor. The research semester credit hours is directly relevant to and obtained from the work these individuals are conducting at The UT Health San Antonio while on their J-1 or H-1B visa. Enrollment for research SCH is based upon the discussion and discretion of the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science COGS, Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program Director, and the individual’s Supervising Professor. The number of research semester credit hours allowed per semester will be determined on a case-by-case basis contingent upon the individual circumstances of the student.  

4. At no time, will participate in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program interfere with the timely completion of the duties and responsibilities for which the visa status was granted to the individual for admission to the United States.

These principles assure that the federal rules and regulations for the visa process are upheld while creating a pathway by which foreign nationals may participate in clinical research education at UT Health San Antonio.  

Foreign nationals who seek admission to the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program as full-time students are required to obtain an F-1 visa.  

All foreign nationals with a J-1, H-1B, or F-1 visa who are enrolled in the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program are required to submit a letter of continued support from the Supervising Professor bi-annually (prior to enrollment in the Fall and Spring semesters).  

Non-Degree Seeking Students in the GSBS.

Individuals wishing to enroll in Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science courses without matriculation (admission) into the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science can do so either as a student from a different graduate degree program or as a non-degree seeking student who has applied and been accepted into the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Non-degree Seeking Student Program. (Note: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences non-degree seeking students are independent of the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program.) Individuals who have matriculated in other UT Health San Antonio schools (e.g., Medical School, Dental School, Nursing School, or the School of Health Professions) as well as faculty, staff, or other employees will be required to complete an online application for acceptance into the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences non-degree seeking student program. The course director must approve the enrollment of any Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences non-degree seeking student in their course by signing the student’s Add/Drop Form.  

Course credit earned as a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio non-degree seeking student can be applied towards an Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science degree following formal application and acceptance into the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and Translational Science Program. A master’s degree in clinical investigation and translational science cannot be obtained as a Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences non-degree seeking student. Note that enrollment as a non-degree seeking student is limited to four semesters.