Overview

The Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSCR) Program is the signature educational program of the Clinical Research Center which trains qualified medical specialists in clinical research.  There is a critical need for trained clinical and translational researchers with appropriate cultural sensitivity and perspectives in several health areas that disproportionately affect minority and underserved populations. The MSCR program provides a way to address these challenges.

Goal

The goal of the MSCR program at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is to identify highly motivated doctorally prepared minority candidates early in their academic career for rigorous curriculum based training and mentoring in clinical and translational research, as the foundation for outstanding academic careers in clinical investigation.

Success of Graduates

Academic activities for the MSCR program began in July 2002. Over the last 5 years, we have established a very competitive and accredited program in clinical research that has attracted the enrollment of 22 unique, highly motivated junior clinical faculty from diverse clinical disciplines at MSM, and have graduated 15. Graduates of the program have published 36 peer reviewed manuscripts and submitted 50 abstracts since MSCR training. Three graduates have competed successfully for NIH peered reviewed funding, while four graduates successfully competed for pilot grants from non-federal sources to implement their mentored projects. Although the program remains at an early developmental stage, it is noteworthy that our graduates have progressed to become aspiring clinician investigators. The growth of the CRECD program has occurred simultaneously with, and benefited from the substantial growth and productivity of the MSM research enterprise, as evidenced by increased RO1 funding in the basic science departments, centers and institutes.

Dr. Gloria Westney, Department of Internal Medicine, Class of 2005, gives advice to incoming students.

Contact Information

The Director of the MSCR Program is Dr. Elizabth Ofili.  Dr. Alexander Quarshie is the Associate Director and Jacquelyn Ali is the Program Manager.  The administration office can be reached at (404) 752-1780.

Please visit http://cms.msm.edu/publisher/xml/x708.xml for more information and to apply to the program.