Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) – Postdoctoral Masters
- M. Hassan Murad, M.D., Program Director
For Mayo Clinic physicians, scientists and other staff who have already earned doctoral degrees, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences collaborate to offer a master's degree in clinical and translational science.
The program includes coursework and a mentored research experience and culminates in a published thesis. Upon graduation from the program, scholars will be prepared to:
- Lead their own research teams.
- Form hypotheses.
- Design studies.
- Analyze and interpret data.
- Conduct a clinical research protocol.
- Communicate research findings.
Application
Candidates must complete a formal application. More details are available on the MCGSBS Master’s Programs web page. Additional details specific to the CTS Master’s Program can be found here. Applicants must be approved by the track program director and admission endorsed by MCGSBS.
Eligibility
Applicants must be employed at Mayo Clinic. The employment appointment, as documented at the time of application, must be greater in length than the time required for completion of all requirements of the program. Eligible roles include: Mayo Clinic physician, scientist, fellow or resident with a doctoral degree in a discipline applicable to clinical research or medical student who plans to have a research career (except for CTS). Visiting research fellows are eligible. However, visiting clinicians, research trainees and research collaborators are not eligible.
Time Requirement
Applicants must have adequate protected time to complete course and research requirements within designated program length. Applications with inadequate protected time to complete the program will not be accepted. Time to completion can vary by program and Mayo Clinic role from two to five years. All scholars must be in their program a minimum of 1 year in order to meet the MCGSBS residency requirement. Scholars must complete all program requirements within 5 years.
Students must have dedicated time for their program commitments and abide by course attendance requirements as defined in course syllabi. Students must be appropriately engaged in their program and demonstrate continued progress towards graduation.
Registration Requirement
At least 75% of the coursework for the Master’s degree must be completed in MCGSBS. It is expected that a minimum of one year will be devoted to research.
Minimum Credit Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits, which includes a maximum of 16 Research credits. (See Requirements tab within each track for specific course requirements.)
Transfer Credits
A total of 9 didactic credits may be transferred into the program. For more details, see the Credit Conversion, Transfer, Waiver, and Substitution Policy on the MCGSBS intranet site.
Course Work
The curriculum for the Master’s degree consists of 45 credits. The student must complete all of the required courses listed below:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Track Requirements | ||
| MGS 6000 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| CTSC 5010 | Clinical Research Proposal Development | 2 |
| CTSC 5020 | Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research | 1 |
| CTSC 5100 | Academic Publishing | 1 |
| CTSC 5110 | Grant Writing in the Sciences | 1 |
| CTSC 5370 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 2 |
| CTSC 5390 | Advanced Applied Epidemiological Methods | 2 |
| CTSC 5600 | Introduction to Statistics in Clinical and Translational Research | 3 |
| CTSC 5602 | Introduction to Utilizing Statistical Software in Clinical and Translational Research | 1 |
| CTSC 5610 | Statistics: Linear Regression Concepts, Interpretation, and Statistical Software | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Practical Data Collection | ||
| Qualitative Research Design, Methods, and Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Survey Research | ||
| Advanced Coursework | ||
| Students can choose to focus their elective credits into one of the concentration areas listed below or select their elective credits based on recommendations from their mentor or based on their professional goals. 1 | 8 | |
| Research Requirements 2 | ||
| MGS 6100 | Master's Thesis Proposal | 3 |
| MGS 6840 | Master's Research (4 cr/qtr - 4 qtrs required) | 16 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
- 1
Students who have selected a concentration need two or three additional electives depending on the concentration they have declared. Students not completing a concentration need eight additional electives. Students are encouraged to fulfil their electives with Clinical and Translational Science (CTSC) courses. Most CTSC courses will count as electives in the program. However, there are some exceptions (ex. CTSC 5300, CTSC 5611, etc.). Other Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Science courses may be allowable with/without pre-approval. Consult with your CCaTS Education Coordinator for further information before enrolling in elective credits.
- 2
It is expected that a minimum of one year will be devoted to research.
Concentration Requirements
Biomedical Ethics (BET)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CTSC 5261 | Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Biomedical Ethics | 2 |
| CTSC 5262 | Health Policy and Biomedical Ethics | 1 |
| Select 2 credits of the following: | 2 | |
| Ethical Issues in Regenerative Medicine | ||
| Ethical Issues in Population Health Science | ||
| Ethical Issues in Individualized Medicine | ||
| Ethical Issues in Artificial Intelligence and Information Technologies | ||
| Total Hours | 5 | |
Clinical Trials (CLTR)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CTSC 5025 | Introduction to Regulatory Science | 1 |
| CTSC 5650 | Advanced Statistics in CTS Research: Survival Analysis with Statistical Software | 1 |
| CTSC 5720 | Clinical Trials Design and Conduct | 1 |
| Select 2 credits of the following: | 2 | |
| Logistic Regression | ||
| Evidence-Based Medicine for Clinical Researchers | ||
| Diagnostic Testing Strategies | ||
| Introduction to Survey Research (excluded if taken as a foundational cr.) | ||
| Total Hours | 5 | |
Individualized Medicine (IDVM)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CTSC 5340 | Ethical Issues in Individualized Medicine | 1 |
| CTSC 5400 | Introduction to Bioinformatics Concepts and Core Technologies for Individualized Medicine Approaches | 1 |
| CTSC 6160 | Genomic Analysis and Data Interpretation for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases | 2 |
| CTSC 5410 | Molecular Variant Evaluation | 2 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Mixed Methods Research (MIXM)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CTSC 5810 | Qualitative Research Design, Methods, and Analysis (excluded if taken as a foundational credit) | 1 |
| CTSC 5815 | Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research for Translational Science | 2 |
| CTSC 5820 | Introduction to Survey Research (excluded if taken as a foundational credit) | 1 |
| CTSC 5900 | Introduction to Health Services Research and Policy | 1 |
| Total Hours | 5 | |
Quantitative Research Methods (QUAN)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CTSC 5640 | Logistic Regression | 1 |
| CTSC 5650 | Advanced Statistics in CTS Research: Survival Analysis with Statistical Software | 1 |
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3 | |
| Genomic Analysis of Complex Traits | ||
| Observational Studies & Causal Inference | ||
| Practical Data Collection (excluded if taken as a foundational credit) | ||
| Publication Quality Tables and Figures | ||
| Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis | ||
| Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research for Translational Science | ||
| Introduction to Survey Research (excluded if taken as a foundational credit) | ||
| Secondary Data Analysis | ||
| Total Hours | 5 | |
Research Proposal
Students develop their research proposals in CTSC 5010 Clinical Research Proposal Development and submit their proposal to the CCaTS Masters and Certificate Programs Executive Committee following completion of the course. Proposals are due on February 1 or August 1 following course completion. Details on Research Proposal found here.
Thesis Advisory Committee
When developing your TAC, consider the following:
- Your mentor serves as committee chair.
- Identify three additional faculty members from at least two different clinical research disciplines.
- Identify one member with expertise in statistics, epidemiology or study design.
- It is desirable to have a member with basic science or translational laboratory expertise related to your project.
Additional guidelines specific to CTS scholars are defined here.
Progress Meetings
CTS scholars must submit progress reports to the CCaTS Masters and Certificate Executive Committee as requested.
Written Qualifying Exam (WQE)
The WQE is designed to demonstrate a student’s ability to integrate and synthesize the core competencies of the program. Students must pass the WQE to complete the degree requirements. The one-day exam is held the third Tuesday of January, April and September. Students can take the WQE once they have their research proposal approved by the CCaTS Masters and Certificate Programs Executive Committee and have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CTSC 5010 | Clinical Research Proposal Development | 2 |
| CTSC 5370 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 2 |
| CTSC 5390 | Advanced Applied Epidemiological Methods | 2 |
| CTSC 5600 | Introduction to Statistics in Clinical and Translational Research | 3 |
| CTSC 5602 | Introduction to Utilizing Statistical Software in Clinical and Translational Research | 1 |
| CTSC 5610 | Statistics: Linear Regression Concepts, Interpretation, and Statistical Software | 3 |
Thesis Defense (Final Oral Examination)
The final oral examination cannot be completed until the following criteria have been met:
- The Written Qualifying Examination has been passed,
- All coursework has been completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher,
- All program milestones have been met, and
- CCaTS Masters and Certificate Programs Committee has received the thesis, scholar summary letter and mentor summary letter.
Publication Requirement
Master’s thesis research must make a substantial contribution to the biomedical literature, and preparing work for publication is an important part of research training. A minimum of one first or last author journal ready or published paper will be required before being approved to defend thesis. A co-first author paper may be approved if a supplemental statement from your mentor is received that indicates you served as a significant contributor. The paper(s) should be derived from your thesis and must be linked to your master’s thesis topic. In other words, papers not related to the thesis topic do not meet the publication requirement.
This is a suggested sequence based on a summer term start. Individual course plans may vary depending on true start date, program, employment/personal commitments, and research interests. Be sure to confirm you have met your requirements using your degree planning tool. Course offerings may vary slightly. Current course offerings are posted in the course catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Summer Term | ||
| MGS 6000 | Responsible Conduct of Research | 1 |
| CTSC 5020 | Regulatory Issues in Clinical Research | 1 |
| CTSC 5100 | Academic Publishing | 1 |
| CTSC 5370 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 2 |
| CTSC 5600 | Introduction to Statistics in Clinical and Translational Research | 3 |
| CTSC 5602 | Introduction to Utilizing Statistical Software in Clinical and Translational Research | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Fall Term | ||
| CTSC 5010 | Clinical Research Proposal Development | 2 |
| CTSC 5110 | Grant Writing in the Sciences | 1 |
| CTSC 5390 | Advanced Applied Epidemiological Methods | 2 |
| CTSC 5610 | Statistics: Linear Regression Concepts, Interpretation, and Statistical Software | 3 |
| Electives | 1 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Winter Term | ||
| Electives | 1-8 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year - Spring Term | ||
| MGS 6840 | Master's Research | 4 |
| Electives | 1-8 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Summer Term | ||
| MGS 6100 | Master's Thesis Proposal | 3 |
| MGS 6840 | Master's Research | 4 |
| Electives | 1-8 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Fall Term | ||
| MGS 6840 | Master's Research | 4 |
| Electives | 1-8 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Winter Term | ||
| MGS 6840 | Master's Research | 4 |
| Electives | 1-8 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Second Year - Spring Term | ||
| No coursework should be taken this quarter if you are planning to defend your thesis this quarter. | ||