The PhD in Clinical Research (PhDCR) is a 66-credit program designed to be completed on average in five years, and not more than seven years. The program provides a strong didactic foundation during the first two years followed by a mentored clinical research experience leading to a doctoral degree in Clinical Research.
Three tracks/training areas are offered within the PhD in Clinical Research:
Translational Research: Bench to Bedside
Clinical Trials Research
Population, Outcomes and Implementation Research
Each track has clearly defined and required coursework as detailed in of this chapter. Within the context of these specific tracks, students may choose to develop an area of concentration or focus, developing specific expertise in:
Outcomes research
Health services research and health policy research
Ethics
These areas of special focus build upon strengths reflective of the ISMMS, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Mount Sinai’s institutes and departments.
Doctoral students must make in the program in order to remain matriculated in the degree. They are also required to meet key program milestones, register for all required courses, and complete all general program requirements to ensure timely completion of the degree. See the table below for key program milestones:
Required coursework includes the core curriculum required of all first-year doctoral students (see ) as well as second-year track-specific coursework as listed in the program’s . All second-year doctoral students must take a full year of Integrative Problem Solving in Clinical and Translational Research in order to prepare for the written comprehensive qualifying exam. Additional program requirements are listed in .
Genomics and personalized medicine
Biostatistics: Quantitative and qualitative methods
Drug development
Epidemiology: Basic, molecular and clinical
Clinical trials research
Informatics and bioinformatics
Translational science
Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) The Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) is a one-year, 26-credit certificate version of the Master of Science in Clinical Research. Students in this program are not required to take second-year research seminars nor do they write a thesis. Students must make satisfactory progress in the program in order to remain matriculated in the certificate program.
Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) The Masters of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) is a 38-credit program designed to be completed in two years. In certain cases, coursework can be taken over the course of three years with approval from the program. The MSCR has two main components: 1) graduate courses including biostatistics, bioethics, data analysis, epidemiology, genomics, grant writing, health equity, informatics, methodologic journal club, and research study design; and 2) a mentored clinical research project leading to a Master’s thesis. Students must make satisfactory progress in the program in order to remain matriculated in the degree. They are also required to meet key program milestones, register for all required courses, and complete all general program requirements to ensure timely completion of the degree.
See the table below for key MSCR program milestones:
At the end of each term, in collaboration with the Registrar, the program leadership will identify those students in our programs who have either failed to maintain a GPA of 3.0 (all students) and/or in the case of the PhDCR students, have not received a grade of B or better, in their required core coursework. Such students will be notified and a meeting will be arranged with the program leadership. In addition to such semesterly meetings, the program is willing to meet with a student anytime during the year to address immediate and time sensitive concerns.
When a Master’s student’s GPA falls below 3.0, the student will meet with the Program Director or another member of the program leadership, develop an individual plan of remediation, and sign a statement of understanding regarding their academic probation status. If the student’s GPA has not reached 3.0 within two terms of having been placed on probation, the student will be asked to withdraw from the program.
Students are expected to complete the MSCR degree in two years. If the required MSCR coursework and master’s thesis is not finished within the required timeframe, the student will be withdrawn from the program unless they have prior approval from program leadership for an extension to complete the program. In rare instances, a student may have approval to complete the program in less than two years. Students should refer to Section Six for more information about graduation.
When a doctoral student’s GPA falls below 3.0, the student will meet with the Program Director and another member of the PhD Oversight Committee, develop an individual plan of remediation, and sign a statement of understanding regarding their academic probation status. If the student’s GPA has not reached 3.0 within two terms of having been placed on probation, the student will be asked to withdraw from the program.
A doctoral student who earns less than a B in a required core course, must re-take the course and earn a B or better. If the student does not retake the course or retakes the course and earns less than a B, the CLR Program may withdraw the student from the PhDCR program.
Students who do not achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 within one semester of being placed on academic probation are in danger of having financial aid suspended. In such cases, they should meet with program leadership to take appropriate action.
The attainment of a CRTP certificate requires the following:
Successful completion of coursework; see the CRTP Checklist for a list of required courses
26 completed credits
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
The attainment of a MSCR in Clinical Research requires the following:
Successful completion of coursework; see the for a list of required courses
Satisfactory completion and deposit of thesis
38 completed credits
Earning a PhDCR requires:
Successful completion of coursework per the requirements of the , as indicated by achieving a B or better in all required coursework and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or more throughout their time in the program.
Satisfactory completion of the Written Comprehensive Qualifying Exam as defined by achieving a score of 65 or more out of 100.
Satisfactory completion of the Dissertation Research Proposal Oral Presentation and approval of proposed dissertation research by the Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee (MAC)
It is crucial that students familiarize themselves with the standards for maintaining satisfactory progress. Students are expected to attend the new student orientation, review the GSBS Student Handbook and read through the requirements on their coursework checklist in order to be aware of the program’s standards. It is critical that students monitor their own progression through the program, and address any questions or potential roadblocks with the program leadership and/or administration. Failure to achieve and maintain satisfactory progress can result in academic probation, loss of financial aid, and potentially dismissal from the program.
Successful dissertation defense as deemed by the student’s MAC and subsequent deposit
Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the program
Successful and timely completion of all coursework and milestones as outlined in the CRTP coursework checklist
Submitting all student checkout requirements for graduation, including:
Graduation Application form (link to online form will be emailed to students in February)
Student Checkout form by May 15
Graduating Student Exit Survey by May 15 (will be emailed to students after submitting the online Student Checkout form)
Completing all requirements for the CRTP within one year of matriculation
Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the program
Successful and timely completion of all coursework as outlined in the MSCR coursework checklist
Actively searching for and identifying a research mentor throughout the first year of the program
Meeting with the research mentor at regular intervals between June 1 of year one and year two
Successfully completing and passing each of the MSCR milestones by deadline indicated on the MSCR checklist, including:
Research Agreement
Thesis Proposal
Submitting all for graduation by deadline indicated on the MSCR checklist, including:
Graduation Application form (online form will be emailed to students in February of year two)
form by May 15 of year 2
Completing all above requirements within two years of matriculation; in exceptional circumstances, students may be given permission by the Program Director to complete the MSCR in as little as one, and not more than three years.
Earning a minimum of a B in each of the required courses, as stipulated by a student’s selected track
Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the program
Successfully completing all required coursework within the first two years of the PhD program as outlined in each PhD track checklist
Taking and passing the Written Comprehensive Qualifying Exam in June of year two
Forming a Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee (MAC) and submitting the form by March 31 of year two
Submitting the Written Dissertation Research Proposal by February 28 of year three
Conducting and passing the Dissertation Research Proposal Oral Presentation by March 31 of year three
Meeting with the MAC at least once per year starting in the fall of year three, and submitting a form following each meeting
Submitting registration forms and other required documentation by the required deadlines; refer to for specific timelines and forms
Completing and successfully defending the dissertation when deemed ready by MAC
Depositing properly formatted version of the final approved thesis, containing signatures of the Mentor and Program Director
Completing all requirements listed above by June 1 of the fifth year in the program; in exceptional circumstances, students may be given permission by the Program Director to complete the PhDCR in up to seven years
There are different program requirements for CRTP, MSCR, and PhD students. They include:
Thesis Final Draft
Final Thesis deposit
by May 15 of Year 2
Graduating Student Exit Survey by May 15 of year two (will be emailed to students after submitting the online Student Checkout form)
Final Thesis deposit to by June 1 of year two