Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs
MD/Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology
Please note that the following guidelines apply only to medical students at the University of Pennsylvania. (If you are a medical student at another institution, you may apply for the MSCE program directly, but the admissions, curriculum, and financial information listed here will not apply. Medical students from other institutions will typically need two or more years of full-time study to complete the MSCE program.)
Overview
The MD/Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) degree program is for University of Pennsylvania medical students interested in academic careers in clinical research. The goal of the program is to train individuals for successful careers as independent academic clinical investigators. The comprehensive clinical research training program consists of courses in clinical epidemiology, research methodology, and biostatistics; elective courses; extensive independent readings; attendance at research seminars at the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB); and the completion of an independent research project. Specifically, the program is designed to:
- provide in depth knowledge of the research techniques appropriate for clinical epidemiology research
- provide intensive, supervised research experience with mentors in clinical epidemiology, applying these techniques to issues of various medical specialties and subspecialties
By graduation, students will have obtained the following skills:
- knowledge of elements of research design, including randomized clinical trials, cohort and case-control studies, surveys and quasi-experimental studies
- detailed and in depth facility with one of the designs listed above, the one which will be used in the research protocol
- knowledge of the concepts of health measurement as applied to epidemiologic research
- ability to critically appraise the medical literature
- in-depth familiarity with the principles of biostatistics, especially as they apply to epidemiologic and health services research
- ability to use and interpret a variety of PC-based database management and analytic programs
- ability to design, implement and analyze a research project
The rest of this site includes the following sections:
- Information Gathering
- Advising
- Curriculum & Program Structure
- Financial Information
- Admissions
- Contacts
Information Gathering
The first step of the process is to gather information regarding the MD/MSCE dual degree. Interested students have several resources :
- CCEB MD/MSCE webpage (http://www.cceb.upenn.edu/education/epi-degree/joint.php) – the Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics (CCEB) MD/Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology program webpage provides detailed information on the program and application process.
- Jennifer Kuklinski – candidates are encouraged to contact Jennifer Kuklinski, Coordinator for Educational Programs in Epidemiology, at jkuklins@upenn.edu to discuss the MSCE program.
- Amy Nothelfer – students are encouraged to contact Amy, Coordinator of MD-Masters Programs, at nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu to discuss their interest in a Masters program.
- SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid – As soon as a student is considering the pursuit of an integrated dual degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised.
Advising
Upon entering the first year of the MSCE degree program, students are assigned to a faculty mentor who will act in an advisory capacity throughout that students’ course of study. Advisors may assign additional readings and will work with each student to develop the required research project.
After a curriculum plan is developed, the student must meet with Helene Weinberg in the Registrar’s Office of the Medical School to discuss the plan and seek approval from the Medical School.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a staff member in the SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to discuss financial issues. (See tuition policy below.)
Curriculum & Program Structure
The vast majority of students enrolled in the MSCE program are physicians. Many are simultaneously engaged in a clinical residency or fellowship training program. The pace of the MSCE program is quite rapid accordingly, as the program takes advantage of the students’ maturity and experience. Each student works closely with a mentor and other members of a mentoring team to develop a program tailored to his/her individual interests, building upon a required core of basic courses in epidemiology and social science research methodology and statistics. Additional requirements include seminars devoted to current topics in research, protocol development, and critical review of the medical and epidemiologic literature. Students also complete a series of elective courses on topics of special interest. The formal courses serve as the framework for the program’s major component – the development and completion of an independent clinical research project and the write up of the results in the form of a thesis.
Evaluation for the MSCE program is based on course performance, interactions with the primary mentor and other members of the mentoring team, and a Qualifications Evaluation, which is a formal, written exam. The exam covers material from all the core courses and is designed to assess the student’s understanding of biostatistics and basic statistical concepts, epidemiologic concepts, elements of research methods, ability to design studies to address specific research questions, and ability to critically appraise the medical literature.
Program Requirements:
The MSCE degree is composed of 14 course units:
- 5.0 credits of core courses
- 1.0 credit for a one-on-one tutorial in epidemiologic research
- 3.0 elective credits
- 5.0 credits of thesis research
Required Course Units: 14
The program also has non-credit requirements, including completion of web-based training sessions in patient-oriented research, research ethics, and HIPAA; attendance at seminars.
For detailed course descriptions, go to http://www.cceb.upenn.edu/education/epi-degree/epi-curr.php. Course work is also laid out in a sample study plan following the section on financial issues, below.
Timing:
With careful planning, highly motivated students may be able to complete both degrees in five years. However an additional year may be needed. Time to completion may vary, because an essential component of the degree program is the development and completion of an independent clinical research project and the write up of the results in the form of a thesis. Careful selection of a thesis project is crucial for students hoping to graduate in five years. The sample plan below describes the program for a student who is able to complete the requirements of both degrees in five years.
MD/MSCE Degree Completion Time: 5 years (with careful planning)
It is anticipated that most students will complete three years of the MD curriculum before beginning full time study in the MSCE program on or about July 1st at the end of year three. However, students may take these MSCE summer courses earlier if desired and, in fact, are encouraged to do so. The advantage in starting the MSCE curriculum earlier is that students are able to begin working with their MSCE mentor on the development of a research protocol. Further, the July start date for full time MSCE work, if begun at the end of year three, means that MD/MSCE students will have only six months (from January through June) of year three to complete step 1 of the boards and take the electives and sub-I they need for residency application. Faculty advising and close communication with Helene Weinberg, SOM Registrar, about MD scheduling issues and with Jennifer Kuklinski about MSCE scheduling issues are absolutely essential, given the compressed time frame. Students considering the MD/MSCE program should start planning as early as possible to make the best use of their time.
All of year four and the fall of year five will be devoted to full time work toward the MSCE, during which time students are not registered for the MD. The spring of year five will be used to complete the final requirements for both degrees.
MD/MSCE Sample Study Plan:
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Tuition and billing |
Funding |
Maximum Stafford Eligibility (2009-10) |
1 |
MD curriculum (Modules 1,3,6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 2,3,6) |
MD tuition fall and spring |
Self |
$40,500 |
|
2 |
MD curriculum (Modules 2,3,6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4,6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4,6) |
MD tuition fall and spring |
Self |
$40,500 |
3 |
MD curriculum (Modules 4,6) |
Boards 1 and MD curriculum (Module 5) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) through June; then Jul-Aug- EPID 510 (1 cu), EPID 522 (.5 cu), EPID 610 (.5 cu) |
MD tuition fall and spring; MSCE tuition summer |
Self through June; Self, CTSA and/or training grant funding for summer* |
$40,500 |
4 |
EPID 542 (1 cu) |
EPID 525 (.5 cu) |
EPID 570 (.33 cu) |
MSCE tuition |
Self, CTSA and/or training grant funding* |
$20,500 |
5 |
EPID Elective (1 cu) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
MSCE tuition fall; MD tuition spring* |
Fall – Self, CTSA and/or training grant funding*; Spring –- Self** |
Fall $10,250 Spring |
* CTSA and/or training grant funding available on a competitive basis. See Grant funding section below for additional information
** No additional charge for MSCE thesis credit received in the spring of year 5 if the student has not already used their 3 additional course eligibility (see tuition policy below)
Curriculum 2000 Scholarly Pursuit requirement is met by earning the MSCE degree.
Financial Information (2009-10)
Tuition Policy:
MD/MSCE students will be charged 10 semesters of tuition and fees. Seven semesters are billed by the MD program and 3 by the MSCE program. (As shown above, the 7 semesters of MD tuition are charged during the fall and spring semesters of years one, two and three and the spring semester of year five. MSCE tuition is charged during fall and spring of year four and fall of year 5). The actual tuition charges are the same for both programs. During the full time MSCE portion of the program (typically, all of year four and the first half of year five), the fee charges are different that during the MD. The University’s general fee for graduate students and the MSCE’s technology fees are assessed; no assessments are made during these three semesters for MD fees.
Note that in the sample plan above, students receive 1.0 credit for the Master’s thesis during the final semester of the program, when they are charged medical school tuition. As long as the student has not already used the benefit that allows med students to take three courses while registered for the MD program (School of Medicine Additional Course Policy), there will be no additional charge beyond MD tuition in that final semester.
Grant Funding:
A potential partial funding mechanism for the MSCE program is training support provided by the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA). Selected students will be appointed to the grant for 12 months. During the year of appointment (typically approximately June30-June 29 of year four), the CTSA grant will provide a stipend of $20,976 and tuition of $20,500 (2010-2011 appointment year).
In addition, the CCEB manages a series of NIH-funded clinical research training fellowships, many of which are available on a competitive basis to support MD/MSCE students during the MSCE portion of the program. Funding, including full tuition and stipend, are provided to fellowship recipients. MD/MSCE candidates are encouraged to apply at the time of their application for admission.
Financial Aid:
As soon as a student is considering the pursuit of an integrated joint degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised. Students should contact Jean Fox at the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. She is available to help explain program costs, the financial aid process, funding options and how to apply for financial aid. When paying medical school tuition and registered as a medical student, an individual can retain his/her School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $40,500. When a student is registered as a full time MSCE student, he/she is not eligible for School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $20,500. In accordance with federal regulations, all sources of aid (loan, scholarships, fellowships,) cannot exceed the student budget.
Admissions
The admissions process for the MD/MSCE program is competitive and requires admission to both the MD and MSCE programs. The MD/MSCE program as detailed above applies only to students who are or will be enrolled in both degree programs at Penn. (Medical students at other institutions are welcome to apply independently to the MSCE, but the above Sample Study Plan will not apply).
Information about the MSCE application process is available at http://www.cceb.upenn.edu/education/epi-degree/admissions.php. Students interested in the MD/MSCE program should contact Jennifer Kuklinski (jkuklins@upenn.edu), for additional details.
Application deadline: December 15th prior to the desired date of enrollment
Application deadline to be considered for CTSA funding: November 18, 2009 @ 5:00 PM (for third year students only)
Third year students who want to be considered for CTSA funding (for the 2010-2011 appointment year) must submit their applications by November 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM. See the Request for Applications for further details. If a student submits an application first or second year, their application will be reviewed for suitability of CTSA funding in their third year. If a student submits an application after November 18th of year 3, they will not be considered for CTSA funding. Funding notification will take place by January 30th.
In addition to submitting an MSCE application, Penn Med students must also submit a Master’s Program Registration form to Amy Nothelfer (nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu) in the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office (104 Stemmler Hall).
Disclaimer
Please note that policies concerning admissions, curriculum, funding, and financial aid are subject to change. Additionally, though variations in the curriculum may be possible, any change will need prior approval and may have financial implications. This website is meant to provide preliminary general overview information only. Students interested in or enrolled in the program should seek personal advising from relevant faculty and staff.
Contacts
Jennifer Kuklinski
Coordinator, Educational Programs in Epidemiology
918 Blockley Hall
215-573-2382
jkuklins@upenn.edu
Amy Nothelfer, LSW
Coordinator, MD-Masters and Elective Research Programs
Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office, SOM
Suite 100 Annex (Room 104) Stemmler
215-746-2359
nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu
Helene Weinberg
Registrar, SOM
Suite 100 Stemmler
215-898-4646
hweinber@mail.med.upenn.edu
Jean Fox
Financial Aid Officer
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, SOM
Suite 100 Stemmler
215-898-9118
jmfox@mail.med.upenn.edu