Advanced Training in Clinical Research (Certificate)
Degree Offered: Certificate
Program Leadership:
Elaine Ku, MS, MAS, Director
Admissions Inquiries:
Clair Dunne, Program Administrator
Program Description
Advanced Training in Clinical Research (ATCR) Certificate Program is a four academic quarter (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring — ten calendar months) program consisting of fifteen required courses and a variety of electives that provide detailed instruction in the methods of clinical research and ongoing methodologic guidance as scholars begin to implement their research projects.
Admission Requirements
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (equal to a letter grade of B).
- Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated knowledge or experience in some aspect of a health-related field (e.g., clinical practice, public health, health promotion) by virtue of a graduate or professional degree (MD, DDS, PharmD, PhD, or international equivalent), being currently enrolled in such a program or relevant work experience. Although not required, this prior knowledge or experience is preferred because program scholars will be required to perform original research in an area of their choice to fulfill graduation requirements. Prior substantive knowledge or experience in a health-related field can be beneficial in identifying a research area of interest and maintaining motivation for the work.
- For scholars who are primarily based in other training programs at UCSF, we require a supervisor's assurance that at least 70 percent of their time will be available from August through May to divide between the classroom activities of this program and the conduct of the trainee's clinical research projects.
- Affirmation of the Professional Conduct Statement (signed during orientation)
Application information can be found on our website.
Learning Outcomes
Through required coursework, students learn the methods to:
- perform both observational and experimental clinical research;
- apply clinical research methods to one or more projects; and
- analyze, interpret and present their clinical research data.
Upon completion of the program, graduates receive a certificate of completion from UCSF in Advanced Training in Clinical Research. Graduates are poised to work in a variety of research settings, including universities, public health departments, foundations and private industry. (Note: The program does not provide instruction in laboratory investigation and is not intended for scholars who envision themselves working primarily in a wet laboratory.)
The ATCR Certificate program can be taken either as a stand-alone educational program or as a steppingstone to a more advanced degree program, such as the UCSF Masters in Advanced Studies Clinical and Epidemiological Research or the UCSF PhD in Epidemiology and Translational Science.