The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) Program was developed in order to train investigators in the techniques and processes utilized in patient-oriented research. This program is intended to provide direct, mentored experience in clinical investigation and, through didactic work, to provide trainees with a strong foundation in study design, biostatistics, biomedical ethics, clinical pharmacology, human genetics and assay methods. It is expected that graduates of this program will successfully compete for grants such as the K-23, Clinical Associate Physician Award, R0-1 and major foundation grants.

Graduates will be poised to make major contributions to our understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of human disease over the coming decades.

Eligible candidates for the MSCI Program include:

Board-eligible physicians currently enrolled in a Fellowship Program at Vanderbilt University or Meharry Medical College.

Vanderbilt Faculty Members - with the consent of their Department Chair.

Post-Doctoral PhDs anticipating a career in patient-oriented research.

PhD candidates in the Nursing School anticipating a career in patient-oriented research.

Candidates should submit an application that includes biographical information, references, career goals, and a specific proposal for a patient-oriented research project. The research proposal must identify the candidate's mentor. Applications will be judged on the quality of the science proposed, on the commitment of the mentor to the career development of the candidate and on the overall impact of the training program on the applicant's career development.  Application deadline is February 28th of the year applied for.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Proposals must outline patient-oriented research that is hypothesis-driven and mechanistic

Performance of the project must be feasible within a two-year period.

Project mentors must have extramural research grant funding that is assured for the duration of the project.

In addition, sponsoring departments will be expected to guarantee that 80% of the candidate's professional time will be devoted to the goals and objectives of the MSCI Program.

Mentored Research Apprenticeship.   The core of the MSCI Program will be the completion of a mentored research project. The research must be patient-oriented and involve direct measurements on patient-derived samples or the use of investigational therapeutic or diagnostic techniques. The mentor must be an established physician-scientist with experience in patient-oriented research. Use of the Vanderbilt University General Clinical Research Center will be encouraged. The research project will account for 80% of the candidate's commitment to the program.  

Didactic Work.  Candidates must complete 31 hours of courses covering the essentials of study design, biostatistics, ethics, drug development and data analysis. Examples of  core and elective courses are described in the course catalog.  A sample course schedule is shown in Course Curriculum section. It is expected that course work will comprise 20% of the candidate's time commitment. Core courses will be provided in two formats: intense courses that meet three hours each day (e.g. 8 am to 11 am) for four weeks and courses that can be offered less intensively (2-4 hours a week for several months). Many of the proposed courses will be taken in conjunction with candidates in the Master in Public Health Program. The course schedule is designed to maximize protected time for patient-oriented research. While the course schedule is presented in a single year, degree candidates may elect to take some courses during the second year. In addition, the possibility of developing a CDROM version of the core courses is being explored to permit individualized learning opportunities.

Career Path Development. In addition to the formal curriculum, a monthly seminar series, "Clinical Career Seminars" will permit candidates to meet successful patient-oriented researchers. Topics of discussion will include academic "rules of the road," time management, promotion/tenure issues, grants management, and overall program evaluation. Candidates will hone their scientific communication skills through an annual presentation at this forum. The directors will host social functions with the candidates, clinical investigators, mentors and visiting scientists.  

Master's Thesis.  Candidates will be expected to complete a Master's thesis based on their research project. This thesis will be due in the Spring of the second year. Successful completion of the thesis requirement will be evaluated by a thesis committee comprised of the trainee's mentor, two other members selected by the candidate, and the Directors of the MSCI Program.  A completed grant proposal, submitted as a Federal or major foundation grant, could serve in lieu of a thesis.

The MSCI program is two years in length.

The estimated cost per student is approximately $40,000.00 for two years. The program is supported by NIH-funding (e.g. K30, training grants), grants from industry, and tuition.