MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Along with educating future professionals, producing meaningful research is at the heart of higher learning. Translational research moves science from the lab to the bedside, to the clinic, and ultimately to the public with the goal of improving the health of people in our communities and the nation. The West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s (WVCTSI) new Master of Science program aims to develop the next generation of clinical and translational scientists through educational and mentored research training.
“This degree program is on the cutting edge of research and graduate education nationally, and it shows our commitment to clinical and translational research here at the WVU Health Sciences Center,” Fred Minnear, Ph.D., assistant vice president for graduate education and program director for clinical research education, mentoring and career development in the WVCTSI, said.
The M.S. degree combines interest-driven required and elective coursework with thesis research. Research projects are co-mentored and may consist of a clinical trial, the translation of scientific knowledge from the bench to practical application or a combination of both. The degree requires a peer-reviewed publication or a written thesis that is defended orally to a four-member faculty committee.
The clinical research education, mentoring and career development core of WVCTSI was designed to develop the next generation of scientists who will address health disparities in West Virginia. Through their gained expertise, these clinical and translational researchers will utilize and adapt existing educational infrastructure and make use of the statewide rural health networks that have been developed.
Initial enrollment is limited to faculty, clinicians and health professions students at West Virginia University and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. The first CTS students will begin classes in the fall 2012 semester.
To learn more, visit http://wvctsi.org/pages/Programs/Education-Training/M-S-in-Clinical-Transl-Science.
To apply to the WVCTSI M.S. in Clinical and Translational Science Program, visit http://majors.wvu.edu/home/details/229.