StudyQA — Master: Clinical Research

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Research Methods is attained through the Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP). This intensive two-year program is designed for those pursuing a career in investigator-initiated, hypothesis-driven clinical research.

CRTP scholars are drawn from all of Einstein’s medical specialties and subspecialties, including those interested in clinical investigation across the entire translational research spectrum, from mechanistic studies to population-based and health services research. The comprehensive program combines didactic learning and coursework with a mentored research experience.

Exciting Interdisciplinary Outcomes

Through the M.S. program, clinical research scholars acquire career-enhancing "core competencies" that enable them to:

Form a research question
Design their own studies
Analyze and interpret their data
Embark on the path toward becoming an independent researcher

Scholars pursuing the M.S. are drawn from all medical specialties and subspecialties. As a result, those interested in translational patient-oriented research and those interested in health services research are learning side by side … thus fostering future collaboration across all disciplines.

Summer Semester I (July, August)

Monday through Thursday, 9:00 – 12:30 pm

Clinical Research Intensive: Principles of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Data Analysis, and Specific Aims.
(Course Leaders: Hillel Cohen, DrPH (Biostatistics I), Carmen Isasi, M.D., Ph.D. (Epidemiology I), Aileen McGinn, Ph.D. (Data Analysis Lab), and Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D. (Specific Aims)

Required Textbooks:

“Epidemiology”; By Leon Gordis, 5th edition, WB Saunders (2013)
ISBN-10: 145573733X
ISBN-13: 978-1455737338 Approximate Cost: $44.58
"Basic Statistics and Pharmaceutical Statistical Applications "; By James E. De Muth, 3rd edition, CRC Press - Taylor Francis Group
ISBN-10: 1466596732
ISBN-13: 9781466596733 Approximate Cost:$89.95

Fall Semester I (September – December)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Epidemiology II (Course Leaders: Dean Hosgood, Ph.D.; Aileen McGinn, Ph.D.

Required Textbook:

Epidemiology: Beyond the Basics by MoysesSzklo & F. Javier Nieto.3rd Edition, Jones & BartlettPublishers, Sudbury,Massachusetts, 2012. Approximate Cost: $86.07

Biostatistics II / Data Analysis Lab (Course Leaders: Hillel Cohen, DrPH; Aileen McGinn, Ph.D.)

Required Textbook:

Regression Methods in Biostatistics by Vittinghoff et al: available free online through the Einstein Library (to access you must be at Einsteinor have remote access to the library: http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4614-1353-0

Research Ethics I (Course Leader: Ethan Cowan, M.D.)

Required Textbooks:

Required, recommended, and optional readings from the medical and bioethics literature will be posted on our learning management system at no cost to the student

Spring Semester I (February – May)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00am - 12:30 pm

Biostatistics III /Data AnalysisLab (Course Leaders: Abdi Negassa, Ph.D.; Cuiling Wang, Ph.D.; Aileen McGinn, Ph.D.)

Required Textbooks:

Applied Logistic Regression by David W. Hosmer & Stanley Lemeshow (3rd edition), 2013, Wiley;
Available via the Einstein Library as pdf at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/9781118548387
Survival Analysis: A Self-learning Text by David Kleinbaum and Mitchel Klein (3rd edition), 2012 Springer;

Available via the Einstein library as pdf at: http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4419-6646-9

Works-in-Progress Seminars (Course Leaders: Paul Marantz, M.D., MPH; Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D.; Aileen McGinn, Ph.D.)

Required Textbooks: None

Advanced Topics in Epidemiology (Course Leaders: Ilir Agalliu, M.D.; Aileen McGinn, Ph.D.)

Required Textbook:

Rothman KJ, Greenland S, Lash TL. Modern Epidemiology; 3rd Edition. 2008. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA. Approximate Cost:$100.05

Research Ethics II(Course Leaders: Ethan Cowan, M.D.; Ruth Macklin, Ph.D.)

Required Textbooks: None

Summer Semester II (July, August)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Advanced Topics in Biostatistics / DataAnalysis Lab (Course Leaders: Shankar Viswanathan, DrPH, M.S.c; Qi Gao, Ph.D.)

Required Textbook:

Garrett M. Fitzmaurice, Nan M. Laird , James H. Ware . Applied Longitudinal Analysis Wiley; 2 edition (August 30, 2011). (FLW) Approximate Cost:$96.31

Grant/Manuscript Writing Course I (Course Leader: Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D.)

Required Textbooks: None

Fall Semester II (September – December)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am -12:30 pm

Clinical Research Seminars I (Course Leader: Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D.)
Works-in-Progress (Course Leaders: Paul Marantz, M.D.; Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D.)
Grant/Manuscript Writing II (Course Leader: Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D.)

Required Textbooks: None

Spring Semester II (February - May)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 – 12:30 pm

ResearchThesis (Course Leaders: Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D.; Aileen McGinn, Ph.D.)
Clinical Research Seminars II (Course Leader: Ellie Schoenbaum, M.D.)
Selective & Elective Courses

Required Textbooks: None

CRTP Selective & Elective Courses

Scholars are required to take 1 elective or 1 selective over the 2-year CRTP period.

Electives are courses offered by other graduate programs within the University, including
- the Sue Golding Graduate Division (Ph.D. program at Einstein);
- the Masters of Bioethics Program (Einstein-Cardozo);
- psychology Ph.D. programs (Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at YU)
Selectives offered by CRTP are:
- Design and Analysis of Health Outcomes (Course Leader: Arthur Blank, Ph.D.)
- Decision Analysis/Cost Effectiveness (Course Leader: Clyde Schechter, M.D.)
- Human Genetics (Course Leader: Herb Lachman, M.D.)

Required Textbooks: None

Eligibility Criteria

An academic affiliation with Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- The program considers physicians, sub-specialty fellows, medical or graduate students at Einstein
- Medical Students applying to the CRTP must be enrolled at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Faculty and Fellows must hold an appointment at Einstein or an affiliated institution for the two years enrolled in the CRTP
Strong interest in, and aptitude for, clinical research
A firm written commitment from the trainee’s department (Chair, Division Head, or Fellowship Director) that all necessary resources will be made to the trainee. This includes protected time with demonstrable reductions in clinical, teaching, and administrative responsibilities (as needed), space, and a computer
Identification of a research project and a mentor

Application Process

All application materials must be submitted by March 1 (including all requests for letters through the online application portal) for consideration in the class that commences the following July.

Applications are accepted via our online application system using Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
The online system also enables you to send email requests for the required letters/documentation. Required elements include:

Applicant Information Form (online form accessible via the appropriate online application link below)
A Personal Statement which describes your career goals and explains why you believe this training program will help you to achieve those goals. Not to exceed one page single-spaced using 12 point font
A Research Plan which contains a brief description of your study question and methods. Not to exceed two pages single-spaced using 12 point font
Your full Curriculum Vitae
Mentor(s) Letter: You will be asked to provide an email address for at least one individual who will serve as your mentor during the CRTP. This individual will be asked to submit a letter which will contain a mentoring plan, a description of the research environment they will provide you, a timeline for your research and how they will advocate that you receive adequate time for research. They will also be asked to submit their NIH biosketch and a list of former trainees (if applicable).
Letters of Support: You will be asked to provide email addresses for two (2) individuals who can provide letters addressing your potential for a career in clinical research.
Guarantee of Protected Time (Faculty and Fellows only): You will be asked to provide an email address for the appropriate individual who can guarantee your protected time while in the CRTP. This letter may come from your Fellowship Director, Department Chair or Division Head. In instances where this letter is signed by more than one individual, please designate only one point person for submission of this letter. The individual you select will be asked to submit a letter which includes the following:
- Their support of your participation in the Clinical Research Training Program
- That they guarantee you have the required protected time during the two years that you are enrolled in the program in which to attend classes, complete homework, prepare for examinations, conduct research, and develop and defend a thesis
- Specific acknowledgement of the following:
  - 80% protected time during the first summer (i.e., no more than 8 hours per week based on a 40 hour work week should be committed to non-CRTP activities).
  - Note: During the first summer, the pace of the program is particularly intense. Classes are held four days a week for six weeks (i.e., Monday-Thursday 9:00-12:30 and occasional afternoon sessions). Additionally, there is a take home exam due approximately 2 weeks after the last summer class.
  - 50% protected time after the first summer (i.e., no more than 20 hours per week based on a 40 hour work week should be committed to non-CRTP activities). Classes for the remainder of the two year program are held on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00 am -12:30 pm.
  - That they will provide you with appropriate space to pursue your studies and perform research; that they will provide access to a computer capable of running up-to-date statistical and data management graphics software
  - That they will serve as a liaison between you, your mentor, and the director of the training program if the need should arise
    If you have questions or would like tips/suggestions for approaching your supervisor to obtain his/her support and guarantee of protected time, contact Dr. Aileen McGinn Director, CRTP X

Affirmation of Good Academic Standing (Medical Students only): After submission of your online application, the Dean of Students will be contacted to provide affirmation that you are in good academic standing and that he/she supports your application to the CRTP.

In addition to the online application, Faculty and Fellows only will need to have an official transcript from your doctoral degree institution sent to Clinical Research Training Program Albert Einstein College of Medicine