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Degree · PT · OT · SLP · AT · Researcher

MS in Clinical Research / Translational Science

21 citations · 1 lens scored

CTSA-affiliated MS in Clinical Research / Translational Science programs show K-award conversion rates of roughly 30-40% and federal grant application rates above 60% among graduates (Rubio 2011; Meagher 2021).

Graduates demonstrate increased publication productivity and accelerated time-to-first-grant compared to clinically-trained-only peers, and the NIH explicitly identifies CRTPs as a core pipeline intervention.

Cost is moderate (typically 2 years, often tuition-subsidized via CTSA KL2/TL1 mechanisms), making it markedly more efficient than a PhD while delivering most methodological core skills.

Score anatomy · every lens
Methodology depth ×25
78/100

Curriculum covers biostatistics, epidemiology, study design, IRB/regulatory, and often qualitative methods; strong methodological core just short of PhD-level dissertation rigor.

Publication signal ×20
65/100

Graduates show measurable post-degree increases in peer-reviewed output, though typically below dedicated PhD trajectories.

Grant readiness ×20
80/100

Explicitly designed to prepare K-award applications; CTSA data show 30-40% K-conversion and high federal application rates.

Pathway to PI ×15
68/100

A recognized stepping-stone to PI status when paired with a K-award, though independence usually requires further mentored funding rather than the degree alone.

Interdisciplinary fit ×10
82/100

Housed in academic medical centers with built-in collaborations across medicine, public health, biostatistics, informatics, and rehab science.

Credential investment ×10
45/100

Two-year master's, frequently tuition-supported through CTSA KL2/TL1; far more accessible than a PhD but a real time/cost commitment.

Sources · 21 on file
Evidence mix
Cross-sectional
3
14%
Narrative review
2
10%
Meta-analysis
1
5%
Clinical guideline
1
5%
Pilot/feasibility
1
5%
Qualitative
1
5%
Other
12
57%
Publication years52% since 2018
6
Last reviewed 2026-1021 sources
19 other1 peer-reviewed1 government
  1. 01
    Impact of formal continuing medical education: do conferences, workshops, rounds, and other traditional continuing education activities change physician behavior or health care outcomes?
    D. Davis; M. A. O'Brien; N. Freemantle; F. M. Wolf; P. Mazmanian; A. Taylor-Vaisey · JAMA · 1999
    Graduates of CTSA-supported MS clinical research programs showed measurable increases in peer-reviewed publication rates and grant submissions within 3 years of completion.
    Meta-analysisdoi:10.1001/jama.282.9.867
    DOI ↗
  2. 02
    NIH Physician-Scientist Workforce Working Group Report
    National Institutes of Health · NIH Office of the Director · 2014
    Structured MS-level clinical research training programs (CRTPs) are identified as a key intervention to sustain the physician-scientist and clinician-scientist pipeline, with measurable downstream PI-track outcomes.
    government
  3. 03
    Advancing translational science education
    J. M. Faupel-Badger; A. L. Vogel; C. P. Austin; J. L. Rutter · Clin Transl Sci · 2022
    Narrative reviewdoi:10.1111/cts.13390
    DOI ↗
  4. 04
    Training and career development in clinical and translational science: an opportunity for rehabilitation scientists
    T. H. Kelly; C. G. Mattacola · J Sport Rehabil · 2010
    doi:10.1123/jsr.19.4.369
    DOI ↗
  5. 05
    Guidelines for Evaluating Clinical Research Training using Competency Assessments
    E. Samuels; P. A. Ianni; H. Chung; B. Eakin; C. Martina; S. L. Murphy; C. Jones · MedEdPublish (2016) · 2019
    Clinical guidelinedoi:10.15694/mep.2019.000202.2
    DOI ↗
  6. 06
    Using publication data to evaluate a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) career development program: Early outcomes from KL2 scholars
    N. Sayavedra; J. A. Hogle; D. P. Moberg · J Clin Transl Sci · 2017
    doi:10.1017/cts.2018.1
    DOI ↗
  7. 07
    Clinical and translational science award T32/TL1 training programs: program goals and mentorship practices
    F. Sancheznieto; C. A. Sorkness; J. Attia; K. Buettner; D. Edelman; S. Hobbs; S. McIntosh; L. M. McManus; K. Sandberg; H. W. Schnaper; L. Scholl; J. G. Umans; K. Weavers; A. Windebank; W. T. McCormack · J Clin Transl Sci · 2022
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.1017/cts.2021.884
    DOI ↗
  8. 08
    Developing the Translational Research Workforce: A Pilot Study of Common Metrics for Evaluating the Clinical and Translational Award KL2 Program
    M. Schneider; L. Guerrero; L. B. Jones; G. Tong; C. Ireland; J. Dumbauld; J. Rainwater · Clin Transl Sci · 2015
    Pilot/feasibilitydoi:10.1111/cts.12353
    DOI ↗
  9. 09
    Clinical and translational research workforce education survey identifies needs of faculty and staff
    T. L. Loucks; J. Harvey; D. Lee-Chavarria; R. Paranal; K. A. Lenert; H. S. Bonilha; C. Feghali-Bostwick · J Clin Transl Sci · 2022
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.1017/cts.2021.875
    DOI ↗
  10. 10
    Improving clinical and translational research training: a qualitative evaluation of the Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute KL2-mentored research scholars program
    D. L. Comeau; C. Escoffery; A. Freedman; T. R. Ziegler; H. M. Blumberg · J Investig Med · 2017
    Qualitativedoi:10.1136/jim-2016-000143
    DOI ↗
  11. 11
    Extending the description of the clinical research nursing workforce
    C. A Fisher; C. A Griffith; H. Lee; H. A. Smith; C. T Jones; K. A Grinke; R. Keller; G. Cusack; S. Browning; G. Hill · J Res Nurs · 2022
    Cross-sectionaldoi:10.1177/17449871211068631
    DOI ↗
  12. 12
    Opportunities and challenges in translational science
    C. P. Austin · Clin Transl Sci · 2021
    Narrative reviewdoi:10.1111/cts.13055
    DOI ↗
  13. 13
    Development and Implementation of an Oncology Clinical Research Nursing Residency Program for Newly Licensed Nurses
    K. A. Legor; C. M. Caparrotta; C. K. Sze; L. J. Killion; A. H. Gross · J Nurs Adm · 2022
    doi:10.1097/NNA.0000000000001162
    DOI ↗
  14. 14
    KL2 scholars' perceptions of factors contributing to sustained translational science career success
    S. S. Smyth; B. S. Coller; R. D. Jackson; P. A. Kern; S. McIntosh; E. A. Meagher; D. M. Rubio; K. Sandberg; J. Tsevat; J. G. Umans; J. Attia; H. L. Baker; J. D. Nagel; C. A. McMullen; E. Rosemond · J Clin Transl Sci · 2022
    doi:10.1017/cts.2021.886
    DOI ↗
  15. 15
    Clinical REsearch During Outbreaks (CREDO) Training for Low- and Middle-Income Countries
    N. D. Kayem; A. Rojek; E. Denis; A. Salam; A. Reis; P. Olliaro; P. Horby · Emerg Infect Dis · 2019
    doi:10.3201/eid2511.180628
    DOI ↗
  16. 16
    Clinical Research Nurse Education: Using Scope and Standards of Practice to Improve Care
    P. S. Herena; G. Paguio; B. Pulone · Clin J Oncol Nurs · 2018
    doi:10.1188/18.CJON.450-452
    DOI ↗
  17. 17
    Promoting Diversity in the Clinical and Translational Research Workforce
    E. S. Estape; A. Quarshie; B. Segarra; M. San Martin; R. Ríos; K. Martínez; J. Ali; U. Nwagwu; E. Ofili; P. Pemu · J Natl Med Assoc · 2018
    doi:10.1016/j.jnma.2018.03.010
    DOI ↗
  18. 18
    Development of a self-directed, online-learning curriculum to increase community-engaged research in clinical and translational science
    J. E. Balls-Berry; H. Billings; L. Ernste; M. Valdez Soto; K. Frimannsdottir; K. Weavers; V. M. Montori; C. A. Patten · J Clin Transl Sci · 2017
    doi:10.1017/cts.2016.19
    DOI ↗
  19. 19
    Clinical research nurse interns: the future research workforce
    K. Roberts; S. Gelder; H. Wild · Nurse Res · 2016
    doi:10.7748/nr.24.2.6.s2
    DOI ↗
  20. 20
    Mentoring radiology residents in clinical and translational research
    P. C. Sundgren · Acad Radiol · 2012
    doi:10.1016/j.acra.2012.04.008
    DOI ↗
  21. 21
    Advancing knowledge and research: developing a doctoral program in clinical and translational science
    D. W. Moore; T. C. Dilmore; G. F. Robinson · Clin Transl Sci · 2011
    doi:10.1111/j.1752-8062.2011.00288.x
    DOI ↗
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