Clinical Research Masters Programs
Join a Program Driving Innovation in Medicine
Ready to launch a rewarding career in clinical research?
The Clinical Research Program at Tulane is designed to train the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, and beyond. With a curriculum tailored for clinicians and researchers, we provide the skills, mentorship, and opportunities needed for long-term success. We actively encourage applications from scholars of all backgrounds, with a strong commitment to supporting those traditionally underrepresented in the field. If you hold an MD, PharmD, DNS, DVM, or PhD and are passionate about advancing healthcare through research, this is where your journey begins.
About the Clinical Research Program
The goal of the Clinical Research Program is to identify, recruit, and train the best possible candidates from diverse academic backgrounds for sustainable careers in clinical research (academia, industry, and foundations). Qualified scholars who are underrepresented minorities are encouraged to apply.
The curriculum is designed for clinicians and translational researchers who aspire to a sustainable professional career in clinical or translational research. Candidates should hold an MD, PharmD, DNS, DVM, or PhD in an appropriate discipline.
Master's Clinical Research Program - MSCR
Next Application Deadline: October 15
Next Term Start Date: January 12, 2026
Credit hours: 38
Overview
Application Information
Tuition and Fees
Additional Information
The Tulane MSCR Program is a structured program leading to a Master of Science in Clinical Research degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine. It usually requires 2 to 3 years to complete the curriculum including the mentored research requirement.
Candidates should hold an MD, PharmD, DNS, DVM, or PhD in an appropriate discipline
The curriculum is designed for clinicians and translational researchers who aspire to a professional and sustainable career in clinical or translational research.
Potential trainees will be self-referred or nominated by their Program Director. After approval by the MSCR Internal Advisory Committee, the trainee will enter the MSCR program, which features four components:
- formal didactic training providing the tools to conduct modern clinical and translational research;
- a clinical research and clinical medicine seminar series, providing peer interaction and mentor guidance on research topics;
- a mentored clinical research project;
- an annual MSCR retreat
Each Clinical Research Scholar will identify a research preceptor from the scholar's home division or department. In addition, each scholar will have a career mentor from the MSCR program.
In lieu of a thesis, the MSCR candidate is expected to prepare a grant ("K" or "R" format) and/or a paper based on the mentored research.
Clinical Fellows participating in the MSCR Program must also complete their individual clinical training program requirements.
Summer admission - May 2nd
Fall admission - May 2nd
Spring admission - October 15th
For more information on the Clinical Research Masters Program, please contact Oriyan Ceaser at oceaser1@tulane.edu.
Tuition rate for MSCR is $1,173 per credit plus semester fees
Semester fees are paid in Fall and Spring (no fees for summer session) and consist of the following:
- Academic Support Service Fee $44.50 per hour (max $400.00)
- Student Activity Fee $120
- Health Center Fee $416
- Recreation Center Fee $247 for full time students only. (Part time and Distance Learning students do not pay this fee)
Clinical Research Programs
The Tulane MSCR Program is a structured program leading to a Master of Science in Clinical Research degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine. It usually requires 2 to 3 years to complete the curriculum including the mentored research requirement.
This is a 32-credit, one-year curriculum is designed for the MD who seeks familiarity with the fundamentals and techniques of clinical research. The curriculum is intended to serve the recent medical school graduate who will earn the MS degree during one year of study following medical school and prior to standard graduate medical education.
The Masters in Clinical Research Methods with a concentration in Pre-Surgical Training (MSCRM+) is designed for medical school graduates who seek familiarity with the fundamental techniques of clinical research with a particular interest in surgery. It is a two year full-time program consisting of 58 credits, with courses offered in a lecture and seminar format.
The Certificate in Clinical Research Program is designed to provide clinical professionals with some fundamentals of clinical research with less time commitment than is required for the MS degree program.
Success Stories
Turn Your Research Into Impact
Earning a Master’s in Clinical Research at Tulane Medicine opens the door to becoming a successful, independently funded investigator and a leader in academic medicine. Our graduates have secured millions in extramural grant funding, published in top peer-reviewed journals, advanced to tenure-track and associate professor positions, and earned prestigious awards and speaking opportunities on national and international stages. From groundbreaking research in childhood obesity, hemophilia, and pulmonary fibrosis to innovations in nutrition, critical care, and recovery, our alumni demonstrate the impact and career growth that this program makes possible. By joining Tulane’s Clinical Research Master’s program, you gain the skills, mentorship, and opportunities to transform your research interests into meaningful contributions that shape the future of medicine.
Amanda Staiano, PhD, MSCR
Amanda has secured $2 million in external grant funding as a PI/Co-PI Published 18 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 10 of which she was first author (journals included Obesity, Pediatric Obesity, and Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior) Promoted to Assistant Professor, Tenure Track July 2017
Maissaa Janbain, MD, MSCR
Maissaa has secured $200,000 in extramural grant funding as a PI. Selected as a Scholar for the Tulane University School of Medicine Scientist Pipeline Program Presented her work in an oral presentation at the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) conference in Berlin, Germany, July 2017
Sarah Jolley, MD, MSCR
Sarah has secured $200,000 in extramural grant funding as a Site PI. Mentored 3 NIH T-32 funded medical students and 3 Pulmonary Critical Care in Medicine Fellows.
What Our Students Have to Say
Christine Bojanowski
"Everyone was accessible from faculty to staff. Classes are generally small and discussion based which creates a supportive environment."
Emily Callegari
"Being challenged to create a protocol and have it reviewed by peers and faculty was valuable"
Crystal Zheng
"Overall everyone was very supportive; providing protected research time away from clinical responsibilities"
What Our Scholars Have Accomplished
peer-reviewed manuscripts published
Million
secured in grants
professional presentations conducted
Advance Medicine. Transform Lives. Become a Leader in Clinical Research.
Join a program that gives you the skills, mentorship, and opportunities to shape the future of medicine.
Clinical Research Training
Program Director
Vivian Fonseca, MD
Assistant Dean for Clinical Research and Training
Senior Program Manager
Oriyan Ceaser, MBA
oceaser1@tulane.edu
Clinical Research Navigator
Michelle Wilson, MPH
mwilso21@tulane.edu
For more information on the Clinical Research and Training Programs, please contact us.
Email: adcr@tulane.edu
