Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research
Introduction
The dual M.D./MCTR Degree Program aims to produce clinical researchers skilled in conducting patient or population-based clinical studies or outcomes research. In one year of full-time study during their fourth year at UConn (after the first three years of medical school), students will earn enough credits to complete the program and be on their way to becoming physician investigators.
Registration Dates
Fall registration begins September and runs through March. Classes typically begin during the last week of August. For the most current class schedule, tuition and fee information, please visit the Registrar’s web page.
Application Process
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. These materials will be reviewed by the MCTR 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 during your third year of medical school.
The documents needed are as follows:
- Application for admission
- Residence affidavit
- Official transcript from each college or university attended
- Official TOEFL or IELTS score if applicable
- Letters of recommendation (2 letters of recommendation)
- Personal letter of application
- Test scores if applicable
- Letter of support from prospective major advisor
Educational Requirements/Admission Criteria
For admission to the dual Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research Degree Program (M.D./MCTR), students must first be accepted by both the UConn School of Medicine and the Graduate School. Matriculated M.D. students should apply for admission to the program one year before the selected course sequencing.
Course of Study
In the dual M.D./MCTR Degree Program 30 credits are required for the MCTR degree, six of which are from the M.D. curriculum. The remaining 24 credits include: 9 credits from three core courses on the Principles of Clinical and Translational Research, 9 credits of mentored research, and at least 6 credits of elective courses from a list of approved courses in the MCTR curriculum. M.D./MCTR students will be permitted to enroll in the first and third semester courses simultaneously so that all course work can be completed in one academic year.
Dual degree students need to identify a research mentor/major advisor. If a mentor has not been identified by the start of the program, Dr. Helen Wu (zwu@uchc.edu) will serve as the student’s transitional advisor and assist in the selection of a permanent mentor.
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
Students must also submit a report in journal format, a grant proposal, and give an oral presentation followed by questions and evaluation by program faculty consistent with the format of a thesis defense.
Time to Complete
The dual M.D./MCTR Degree Program is five years in length, with both the M.D. and the MCTR degrees conferred together after completion of both programs. The MCTR degree requirements will be completed during the student’s 4th year of medical school.
Program Leadership
Program Director
Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Director
Howard Tennen, Ph.D.
Executive Committee
- Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.
- Howard Tennen, Ph.D.
- Richard Stevens, Ph.D.
- Mark D. Litt, Ph.D.
- Angela Starkweather, Ph.D., A.C.N.P.-B.C., F.A.A.N.
- Ruth Lucas, Ph.D., R.N.C., C.L.S., F.A.A.N.
Contact Information
For questions or more information please contact:
Ms. Lisa Godin
Clinical Research Center
UConn Health
Farmington, CT 06030-3805
Phone: 860-679-4145
Email: godin@uchc.edu