A novel, flexible institutional clinical research training program

The Multidisciplinary Clinical Researchers in Training Program (MCRiT), gives doctoral students in medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy the basics of a clinical research and hopefully interest them in a clinical research career.

Studies have shown that most researchers are established clinicians who gain clinical research experience later in their careers. The purpose of the MCRiT program is to encourage students to start their clinical research careers soon after graduation and to give them the tools to obtain research funding.

The MCRiT program, which is the first of its kind in the United States, gives students in medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy the option of various research experiences. The program implements novel, flexible institutional clinical research training and provides efficient entry of interested students into clinical research careers.

"This program, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is a way to encourage young people to consider a career in clinical research," says Sewon Kang, M.D., a professor of dermatology and director of the new program. "It provides interested students access to a level of clinical research training that is appropriate to their career stage and level of interest, yet accommodates their evolving training needs."

The summer practicum (not to be confused with the Summer Biomedical Research Program), will accept 10 trainees and consists of four components:

1. Orientation and required training in the protection of human subjects and the responsible conduct of research;
2. Mentored participation in an ongoing research endeavor;
3. Group project in clinical research; and
4. Structured exposures to different stages of the clinical research process.

The 12-month, intensive training program will support 9 full-time trainees who will pursue a Master's of Science in Clinical Research degree with a focus on a personalized specialty track.

The 12-month program is both didactic and practical, culminating in a Masters of Science in Clinical Research degree from the School of Public Health. Students participating in the 12-month program will be required to take a "year-out" from their doctoral training curriculum to complete Master's Degree of Science in Clinical Research.