Department Chair: David C. Page, PhD
Program Director: Steven C. Grambow, PhD
Co-Directors: Kevin P. Weinfurt, PhD; John W. Williams, MD, MHSc
Program Coordinator: Gail D. Ladd

Website: biostat.duke.edu/education-and-training/clinical-research-training-program

This Duke University School of Medicine program provides formal academic training in the quantitative and methodological principles of clinical research. In contrast to a public health degree which focuses on epidemiology, this program is designed primarily for clinical fellows who are training for academic careers. The program offers formal courses in research design, statistical analysis, medical genomics, research management, scientific communication, research project development, and responsible conduct of research. Students who complete a prescribed course of study in the training program are awarded a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research degree by the School of Medicine.

The Clinical Research Training Program is offered by core faculty from the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and other clinical and basic science departments within the School of Medicine.

Basic Science Research Track (BSRT) Degree Option

The Basic Science Research Track (BSRT) is an optional customized curriculum for degree candidates designed specifically for physician-scientists. The track prepares individuals for careers as physician-scientists across a range of discovery sciences. The curriculum includes coursework that prepares researchers to perform rigorous basic science; manage, analyze, and present data; oversee a laboratory; and successfully compete for research funding.

The track requires eighteen (18) credits of graded coursework and eighteen (18) credits for an approved research project. Five (5) courses (241, 253, 275, 276, and 279) constitute twelve (12) credits that are required for all BSRT candidates. Students may choose from other offered courses for the remaining required six (6) credits. The first year includes ten (10) credit hours of required core courses. Trainees begin work on the required research project to provide a deep immersion in basic and laboratory research methods. The second year includes eight (8) credits of combined electives and a required course on scientific communications to lay the foundation for a successful career in basic research. The second year incorporates a successful defense of the research project. The courses in years one and two may be switched to accommodate the candidate’s schedule.

Certificate (Academic Core in Clinical Research Certificate)

The certificate option leads to the Academic Core in Clinical Research Certificate awarded by the Duke University School of Medicine. Applicants must successfully complete the five (5) required core courses which constitute the foundation of the full degree program (CRP 241, 242, 245, 253 and 254). Students who complete the certificate may convert their status to degree seeking and apply completed coursework toward degree requirements.

Nondegree

The courses in the program are also available to qualified individuals who want to acquire specific skills but who may not want to pursue the master’s degree. In addition to clinical fellows, such individuals include faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, other trainees, and health professionals at Duke and NIH. This option allows the flexibility of taking various combinations of courses subject only to constraints imposed by course prerequisites.

Non-program

The courses in the program are also available to qualified individuals who are enrolled in other Duke credit-bearing degree programs. To register for CRTP courses, please contact Gail Ladd (gail.ladd@duke.edu) for permission and to verify eligibility.

CRTP does not permit auditing.