Masters Programs and Certificate Programs

Training to become successful patient-oriented investigators

The CTSI Training Program in Translational Science (TPTS; formerly known as the UCLA K30 Program) was developed to provide clinicians with the necessary training to become successful patient-oriented investigators who can bridge molecular medicine and clinical research. Participants have a high commitment to clinical research and must have either professional health degrees (e.g., medicine, nursing, dentistry) or a doctorate. In addition, participants must be affiliated with UCLA, Lundquist/Harbor-UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, or Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (the CTSI partner institutions).

A new articulated/dual degree MD/MS program has been added to allow interested UCLA Medical Students to complete the Master of Science in Clinical Research Program during their Discovery Year (3rd Year). The purpose of the program is to develop physician scientists interested in clinical research or biomedical informatics.

TPTS Training Programs:

General Eligibility Requirements

Certificate Program applicants must have:

A high commitment to clinical research
An MD, DDS, DMD, DO, DC, OD, or ND (Doctor of Naturopathy) degree; or be a doctorally prepared nurse; or have a PhD (with clinical responsibilities)
An affiliation with UCLA, Harbor-LABiomed, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (the CTSI partner institutions).

MSCR MS Program applicants must:

Have an affiliation with UCLA, Harbor-LABiomed, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (the CTSI partner institutions).
Be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or lawfully admitted permanent resident of the U.S.
Have a bachelor’s degree or the foreign equivalent
Have an MD, DDS, DMD, DO, DC, OD, or ND (Doctor of Naturopathy) degree; or be a doctorally prepared nurse; or have a PhD (with clinical responsibilities); or be current UCLA medical school student preparing for Discovery (Year 3)
Have salary and tuition support for the duration of the program and a letter of commitment from their division or department
Have selected and established a relationship with a strong research mentor in a clinical department that also has support for the research

MSCR MD/MS Program applicants must:

Be second-year UCLA Medical Students, in good standing, who are interested in learning how to design, analyze, and conduct high-quality clinical research.

Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) MS Program

Leads to Master of Science in Clinical Research
Structured two-year program
- Requires full time commitment
- Minimum 70-80% course attendance
- Three-year option for UCLA STAR fellows
- Research Thesis or Capstone Project required
Applications accepted December 1 to April 1 for academic year beginning Sept/Oct (Fall Quarter)

Learn more about the MSCR MS Program

Tuition
- Stipends and fees supported by home department
- UCLA non-academic-senate employees with appointments of at least 50% may receive a two-thirds reduction in fees.

Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) MD/MS Program

Leads to Master of Science in Clinical Research
Structured one-year program for UCLA medical students during their Discovery Year (year 3)
- Requires full time commitment
- Minimum 70-80% course attendance
- Capstone Project required
Application deadline is April 1 for academic year beginning Sept/Oct (Fall Quarter)

Learn more about the MSCR MD/MS Program

Tuition
- Accepted MD/MS students will be primarily coded as medical students and will continue to pay medical school tuition and fees for the duration of their joint degree program during the Discovery year.

Certificate Program

Leads to a CTSI Training Program in Translational Science Certificate from the David Geffen School of Medicine
Structured, two-year program (can be completed in one year)
No costs
Applications accepted February 1 to May 15 for academic year beginning August 1

Learn more about the Certificate Program