Each student’s academic program will be planned jointly by the student and the student’s major advisor based on academic and professional background and school requirements. Students will be required to complete 30 credits, anchored by required core courses in Clinical and Translational Research (9 credits). In addition, each student will be required to complete a 3-credit “translational research elective” course from a list of approved courses. Completion of a 3-6 credit course titled “Critical Issues Involving Science Publication: The Scientific Review,” will also be required to complete the plan of study for the degree in Clinical and Translational Research. Students will also be required to complete 12 credits in research to provide them with competency in the implementation of research methods, including hypothesis formulation, research design, quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis and computer application. After completion of the course work, students will prepare for their final examination. The final examination (oral presentation) consists of a 30-40 minute presentation of a grant proposal and scientific report describing a completed research project, followed by 20 minutes for questions by members of the MCTR Advisory Committee. The grant proposal and report must be submitted to Lisa Godin at godin@uchc.edu, 3-4 weeks prior to the final examination.

Required Courses:

• CLTR 5357 F40 – Core I: Translational Research I
• CLTR 5020-F40 – Core II: Statistical Methods in Healthcare
• CLTR 5359 F40 – Core III: Translational Research III
• CLTR 5407-F40 Clinical and Translational Research Practicum

Elective Courses:

• CLTR 5360: Critical Issues Involving Science Publication: The Scientific Review
• CLTR 5099: Independent Study
• PUBH 5497-F45: Epidemiology of Substance Use Disorders and Psychiatric Co-morbidities
• PUBH 5497-F44: Introduction to Community Health Issues and Research
• PUBH 5431-F40: Public Health Research Methods
• MEDS 6498: Special Topics in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• MEDS 5309: Molecular Basis of Disease
• MEDS 5330-F40: Immunobiology II

All work must be completed within four years of the beginning of study which is defined as the beginning date of the earliest course, wherever taken, listed on the approved Masters Plan of Study. Since the three core courses in clinical and translational research must be taken consecutively, the minimum timeframe to complete the program is 18 months. Therefore, we currently do NOT accept students who would require an inflexible full-time status (e.g., due to visa issues).

Students must have completed all courses on an approved Plan of Study, submitted final copies of the scientific report and draft grant application required for the final examination, and passed the final examination in order meet the requirements for awarding of the Master of Science degree.

For information on applying for graduation and deadlines, see Steps to a Successful Graduation- Graduate Programs.

Depending on the student’s background and status in the program, the number of credit hours taken in one year may range from 3 to 21. The course of study is tailored to the individual student.

There are approximately 54 faculty members who participate in the Master of Clinical and Translational Research program. They are engaged at various levels of teaching courses (approximately three course offerings per year), supervising independent studies or thesis research.

The Graduate School runs on a semester basis. Students may also register for Master’s degree credits during the summer.

Fall registration begins in September and runs through March. Classes typically begin during the last week of August.

To apply to the MCTR program, you must first submit a letter of intent, a copy of your curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation to Ms. Lisa Godin via email at godin@uchc.edu. Applicants are required to also include a letter of commitment from a UConn faculty stating their intention to mentor and serve as your major advisor during your time in the program. International applicants should also include in their letter of intent a statement regarding how they plan to cover tuition costs.  These materials will be reviewed by the MCTR Executive/Advisory Committee. If the Committee views you as a suitable candidate for the program, you will be invited for an interview. If the Committee recommends acceptance after the interview, you will be instructed to submit an application through The Graduate School.

The documents needed to apply to the Master’s degree are as follows:

1. Application for Admission
2. Application Processing fee
3. Residence Affidavit
4. Official transcript from each college or university attended
5. Official TOEFL or IELTS score, if applicable
6. Letters of Recommendation (2 letters of recommendation)
7. Personal Letter of Application
8. Test scores if applicable
9. Letter of Support from prospective major advisor