Application for Admission
Masters in Clinical Research Program
Our goal is to enroll a maximum of 10-12 full-time trainees per cohort. The selection of cohort members will be made when the Admission Committee meets to review the formal applications that have been submitted to Graduate Division along with MSCR/PhDCR applications. Apply in Spring for Fall admission.
The application deadline for Fall 2013, will be June 15, 2013.
Click Here to jump to the Frequently Asked Questions section
Program of Study
Approximately 36 Semester hours are required. Students will take the majority of their course work in the first year allowing for focus on independent research during the second year.
- Acceptance to University of Hawaii Graduate Division is a mandatory prerequisite. (Application information can be found in the next section.)
- Possession of an MD, PhD, DDS, Pharm D, or an MS in an appropriate degree such as Nursing or Social work or Psychology
- Ability to devote at least 40% time to program studies or to conduct one's own research study.
- Mentor requirements are based on the program one is applying to:
- MSCR students - a mentor must be identified during early stages of the program (within the first 3 months); however, the presence of a mentor when applying will have a significant and positive effect on application scoring.
- PhDCR students – an established relationship with a qualified clinical research mentor is a mandatory prerequisite.
- For most applicants who are non-native speakers of English, and have not completed a residency or fellowship in the US , a minimum TOEFL or IELTS English Language Score is required as follows:
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
- Paper-based Test Score of 600
or
- Internet-based Test Score of 100, with the following minimum section requirements:
- Reading : 19
- Speaking: 25
- Listening: 25
- Writing: 21
or
- Computer-based Test Score of 250
or
- Score of 7.0 or above for the overall band test results.
Application Process
Application to the MSCR program is performed in two parts. One set of documents is submitted to UH Graduate Division, and a different set of documents is submitted to the MSCR Program. Please insure that all of the appropriate documents are received by each respective office prior to the application deadline, and allow additional time for official transcripts being sent by your academic institutions.
1) Application to Graduate Division
See instructions for graduate application on the Graduate division website
- Click Here to download UH Graduate Division Admission Requirements as a pdf file
- Click Here to access UH Graduate Division Online Application
- Click Here to View UH Graduate Division Admission Process and Requirements
- Click Here to View UH Graduate Division Admission Requirements for International Students
Here are some additional details regarding the Graduate Division application process:
- UH Graduate Division has Online and Paper Applications at this link
- The Graduate division website has full instructions and downloadable
forms for the application process. - Official transcripts must be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office
directly from the issuing institution(s), or in sealed institutional envelopes
if submitted with the application. The Graduate Admissions Office also
accepts transcripts submitted through Interfolio. No transcripts should be
mailed or faxed to the MSCR Program.
Transcripts should be sent to the following address:
Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way , Spalding Hall 354
Honolulu , Hawai‘i 96822
- Transcripts required will include every transcript for all
undergraduate and graduate courses that you have taken.
- Only the original filled out application forms with original signatures will be accepted. These need to be sent directly to Graduate Division. There is no need to mail or fax these documents to the MSCR program.
- In the form under item PROPOSED GRADUATE PROGRAM, enter:
Biomedical Science - Masters in Clinical Research
- Under DEGREE SOUGHT, enter:
MS
For materials required by graduate division, please send the above documents directly to the Graduate Admissions Office; sending these documents to our program could lead to application problems or delays.
2) Application to the MSCR Program
- Contact our program director's office and ask to set up a time for an MSCR admission interview or telephone interview**
Contact Nuela at 808-692-0909
- Submit an MSCR/PhDCR Application Form: (this form includes a blank Biographical Sketch section if needed)
MSCR/PhDCR Application Form (Click to download in Acrobat pdf)*
MSCR/PhDCR Application Form (Click to download in Word doc format)*
- Include a Curriculum Vitae –or- Biographical Sketch
(*Applicants should fill these forms out in Adobe Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Word, print, and submit to MSCR program via mail or email when applying. If these documents do not open directly, right-click it and select "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As...")
Please note: acceptance to Graduate Division does not equal admittance into the MSCR or PhDCR programs, as our space is limited. It is necessary to submit the above documents to our program for consideration by our admission committee.
For materials required by the MSCR program, please send these directly to our program at our mailing or email address:
John Perez
Masters in Clinical Research Program
Project Coordinator
651 Ilalo Street , MEB 224G
Honolulu , HI 96813-5534
**applicants may be interviewed by the selection committee or it's designate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does this program have any provision for internships in the industry
3. What are the Tuition costs?
4. How many credits can I transfer, or how many will apply to your program?
5. Are you open to International Students joining the program?
6. What is the length of time required to complete the degree?
7. What are the Admission Requirements?
8. What are the requirements regarding mentorship?
9. Is this program offered online?
10. Am I appropriate for your program?
11. Do you have funding available to students?
12. Do you have funding available to International Students
13. What are some funding options for International Students?
14. I already have a Masters degree, do I qualify for the PhD in Clinical Research program?
15. Do I need to come to your campus in order to participate in these programs?
16. How much time should I expect to spend each day while enrolled in these programs?
17. What if I can't take all of the courses one semester, or need to take time off?
18. Are there language requirements for admission to these programs?
19. Where is the program located, and where do I park?
20. Do I have to take the GRE exam?
24. What if I do not wish to pursue an MS, but only a PhD in Clinical Research?
26. When is the PhD in Clinical Research Program offered and admitting new students?
27. When should I register to begin with next cohort of the PhD in Clinical Research Program?
28. I already have a PhD, do I qualify to pursue a PhD in Clinical Research?
Answers
1. Does this program have any provision for internships in the industry
We do not have specific provisions for internships in the industry at this time as a part of our academic program.
2. What are the possibilities of getting assistantship (Teaching/Research Assistantship) at your university ?
There are opportunities through the University.
Please see the Work at UH web site: http://workatuh.hawaii.edu/
Please also see UH Graduate Division: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/content/graduate-assistants
3. What are the Tuition costs?
For that information, please refer to the UH Tuition Schedule . Our program falls under Post-Baccalaureate Students: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/records/tuition_fees/
4. How many credits can I transfer, or how many will apply to your program?
Graduate Division requires that the number of credits per degree be taken regardless of courses taken elsewhere. For example, if six credits have already been taken at another institution satisfying two specific courses in our curriculum, those courses may be waived, but an addition six credits of other coursework must be taken.
The determination as to whether a course taken elsewhere may satisfy the requirements of a course in our program is made by the faculty member that teaches our equivalent course, and requires at least the syllabus and associated materials for consideration.
In general, it is safe to assume that it will be necessary to take all of the courses in our program unless coming from an equivalent clinical research program.
5. Are you open to International Students joining the program?
Eligibility of applicants, including International applicants, is subject to the requirements and standards of Graduate Division . Please see their web site for more information:
http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/content/international-students
6. What is the length of time required to complete the degree?
1 1/2 to 2 years is typical for coursework and thesis preparation for MS; approximately 3 to 5 years for PhD.
7. What are the Admission Requirements?
Requirements for our program admission are as follows:
- Acceptance to University of Hawaii Graduate Division is a mandatory prerequisite.
- Possession of an MD, PhD, DDS, Pharm D, or an MS in an appropriate degree such as Nursing or Social work or Psychology
- Ability to devote at least 40% time to program studies or to conduct one's own research study.
- Mentor requirements are based on the program one is applying to:
- MSCR students - a mentor must be identified during early stages of the program (within the first 3 months); however, the presence of a mentor when applying will have a significant and positive effect on application scoring.
- PhDCR students – an established relationship with a qualified clinical research mentor is a mandatory prerequisite.
- For most applicants who are non-native speakers of English, and have not completed a residency or fellowship in the US , a minimum TOEFL or IELTS English Language Score is required as specified in question 18.
8. What are the requirements regarding mentorship?
- Mentor requirements are based on the program one is applying to:
- MSCR students - a mentor must be identified during early stages of the program (within the first 3 months); however, the presence of a mentor when applying will have a significant and positive effect on application scoring.
- PhDCR students – an established relationship with a qualified clinical research mentor is a mandatory prerequisite.
9. Is this program offered online?
No, not at this time. Courses are attended in person at the UH Medical School Kaka'ako campus.
10. Am I appropriate for your program?
Some examples of appropriate students for the MSCR and PhDCR programs may include:
- Clinicians
- ECFMG Graduates
- Medical professionals and scientists with US Domestic or equivalent training
11. Do you have funding available to students?
Currently, our program has no funding available to subsidize students during their training in our programs.
Please see UH Graduate Division's links:
12. Do you have funding available to International Students
If funding does become available, it would not likely be available for international students as a condition of our federal funding sources.
13. What are some funding options for International Students?
Information related to funding for international students may be available here:
http://www.hawaii.edu/issmanoa/
http://www.hawaii.edu/admissions/aid.html
14. I already have a Masters degree, do I qualify for the PhD in Clinical Research program?
In general, no, as the PhDCR has as a prerequisite, the curriculum offered by the MSCR program. The only accepted substitute for our MSCR curriculum is a degree from an accredited equivalent Masters in Clinical Research Program. A masters degree in another field of study would not provide the training needed to begin our PhDCR program.
15. Do I need to come to your campus in order to participate in these programs?
Yes, as distance education is not currently offered for our MSCR and PhDCR programs. The only course where occasional remote attendance is permitted via video or conference phone, is the Clinical Research Seminar. Students that would not be available to attend courses at our campus would not be eligible for acceptance to the programs.
16. How much time should I expect to spend each day while enrolled in these programs?
Courses are generally offered one day a week, for up to 8 hours. All previous semesters have had class meetings on Thursdays. Students should also be prepared to commit the equivalent of 20 hours per week for research and study.
17. What if I can't take all of the courses one semester, or need to take time off?
Due to the way that courses are offered for these programs, as a two year cohort, it is necessary to register for all courses offered each semester. Inability to take courses as they are offered would result in the need to wait until the courses were offered again during the next cohort, up to two years later. It is necessary to maintain enrollment in the program(s) during every semester prior to graduation unless a leave is properly approved. It is important to gain approval for any necessary leave promptly, in order to avoid being dismissed from Graduate Division, which would require re-application and associated fees in order to continue at a later date.
18. Are there language requirements for admission to these programs?
The MSCR and PhDCR programs require a minimum TOEFL or IELTS English Language Score as follows
For most applicants who are non-native speakers of English, and have not completed a residency or fellowship in the US , a TOEFL or IELTS English Language Score is required:
- TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
- Paper-based Test Score of 600
or
- Internet-based Test Score of 100, with the following minimum section requirements:
- Reading : 19
- Speaking: 25
- Listening: 25
- Writing: 21
or
- Computer-based Test Score of 250
- IELTS : International English Language Testing System
- Score of 7.0 or above for the overall band test results.
or
19. Where is the program located, and where do I park?
The address is:
- 651 Ilalo St., Medical Education Building (MEB), Honolulu, HI 96825
We are located at the:
Parking for those without faculty or staff permits is at parking Lot C for $4 per day (subject to increase).
20. Do I have to take the GRE exam?
The GRE exam can be waived in some cases of those with advanced post graduate degrees such as MD.
Apply in Spring for Fall admission. For example, If you wish to apply for Fall 2014, please apply in Spring 2014.
Inquiries and MSCR/PhDCR application forms are welcome at any time before then, although applications to UH Graduate Division should specify the intention of enrolling in a Fall semester. Application to a semester when one cannot enroll results in the need to re-apply, including associated fees.
22. What if I already have a MS in some other field, and am interested in only a PhD in Clinical Research?
An MS degree in another field would not provide the foundation needed to proceed directly with the PhDCR curriculum, so it is still necessary to take the courses that comprise our MSCR curriculum.
23. What if I already have an MS in Clinical Research, and am interested in only a PhD in Clinical Research from UH?
An MS from an equivalent accredited MS in Clinical Research Program from another University is reviewed by our admission committee, and can meet our prerequisites for admission into the PhD in Clinical Research Program.
24. What if I do not wish to pursue an MS, but only a PhD in Clinical Research?
The PhD in Clinical Research Program is an extension of our MS curriculum, so the MS courses are still required unless you already have an equivalent MS in Clinical Research Degree. The students in our program that choose to pursue only a PhDCR first take the courses from the MS program during the first year (3 semesters), and then continue with the PhD curriculum.
25. What is the difference between pursuing both an MSCR and PhDCR vs. only a PhD in Clinical Research?
Most of our students obtain both an MS and PhD in Clinical Research, although for those that chose only the PhD, the only difference in their curriculum is that they do not develop a masters thesis and take fewer research credits overall. The time required to obtain a PhD is 3-4 years, which is the same amount of time that most students complete both MS and PhD programs.
26. When is the PhD in Clinical Research Program offered and admitting new students?
The PhDCR curriculum is offered when enough students have been prepared to begin. Please contact us for further information.
27. When should I register to begin with next cohort of the PhD in Clinical Research Program?
- Students that already have an MS in Clinical Research from an equivalent accredited MS in Clinical Research Program can apply for PhD admission with the intent to enroll with the next beginning PhD cohort. Please contact us to confirm curriculum start dates.
- Students that do not have an MS in Clinical Research from an equivalent accredited program should apply for a Fall semester admission to the MSCR and/or PhDCR Programs, with the intent to enroll and begin by taking the MSCR curriculum. Apply in Spring for Fall admission.
28. I already have a PhD, do I qualify to pursue a PhD in Clinical Research?
UH Graduate Division has denied all applications to our program from those that already possess a PhD, as per policy regarding sequential degrees. The PhDCR program will not consider exceptions.