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NIH-Duke Master's Program in Clinical Research

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Academic Degree

Q. What degree will a student earn?

The degree option leads to a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research. This is a professional degree awarded by the School of Medicine at Duke University. There is also a non-degree program available to a limited number of qualified individuals who want to acquire specific skills but who do not want to pursue the master's degree.

Application

Q. How do I apply to the program?

The application materials are available through the Duke University School of Medicine website. All admissions decisions are made by Duke University.

Classroom Location

Q. Where are the classes held?

NIH Clinical Center located in Bethesda, MD. The lectures are video conferenced to a dedicated classroom, FAES classroom #5, located in building 10, Room B1C210.

The 2021-2022 program year is conducted online and not in the FAES classroom. Use of the classroom for the upcoming fall 2022 semester is not yet determined.

Q. Who teaches the classes?

The lectures are taught by the faculty of the School of Medicine at Duke University with the participation of NIH investigators who have expertise in relevant areas.

Cost

Q. Is there a cost for the program?

Yes, the current tuition can be found on the Duke application page. Prospective Students should consult with their institute or center regarding the official training nomination procedure. All tuition payments are made directly to Duke University.

Eligibility

Q. Who is eligible for this program?

The program is designed primarily for NIH clinical fellows and other health professionals who are training for careers in clinical research. An advanced degree in a clinical health science from an accredited institution or 2 years of medical school is a prerequisite for admission either as a degree candidate or as a non-degree student.

Please make sure you have secured your funding/payment sources prior to submitting your application. We are unable to procure funding on an applicant's behalf and without funding sources in place, enrollment into the program after acceptance will not be possible.

Important Dates

Q. When is this program offered?

Courses are offered during the standard academic year. The fall semester generally runs from August to December and the spring semester generally runs from January to May.

Q. When is the deadline for applications?

The CRTP priority deadline is typically April 15 prior to the fall semester of every year, while applications may still be accepted on a rolling basis beyond that date through August 1st, depending on space availability.

Q. How long does it take to complete the program?

While the majority of the participants complete the program in 24 months, students enrolled in the program have up to 6 years to complete the program. The degree requires 24 credits of graded course work plus a research project for which 12 credits are given.

Program Completion

Q. Is there an exam for courses?

Each course professor determines the final exam information for the course.

Q. Is there a mandatory research project as part of the master's degree program?

Yes. A mandatory research project is a part of the master's degree program. This research project must be on human subjects only and no animal subject projects will be permitted. Students must also have a research mentor and a research "home" to complete this project.