Clinical Investigation & Translational Education (CITE) Program
The Indiana CTSI, in conjunction with Indiana School of Medicine, now offers Graduate level research programs including Master of Science in Clinical Research, Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research, and Ph.D. Minor in Clinical Research.
These programs are designed for applicants who have completed, or are currently enrolled in, a professional degree program and aspire to become leaders in clinical research. Eligible participants include medical fellows or residents, junior faculty members, and other health care professionals.
Master of Science in Clinical Research
This degree prepares healthcare professionals for careers in clinical research. Applicants must have a post-doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DNS, DDS) or be in training for a doctoral degree, and be affiliated with Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI).
Who Should Apply?
- Fellows and trainees who have substantial protected time for clinical research
- Early career faculty who have career awards or support from their division or department for participation in the CITE program
- Other faculty members, who previously focused on basic research or other academic activities, but are now committed to pursuing clinical research
Degree Program Details
Mentorship Component
Mentorship is a key component of this program. Each trainee is paired with a primary mentor, typically a faculty scientist from their discipline and area of research interest.
Together, they will select two additional faculty members to form an advisory committee. This committee meets regularly to review the trainee’s progress, provide guidance, and offer career advice.
Our master’s degree program typically spans two years, with courses offered annually. Students will average six credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and three credit hours during the summer semester. Most students complete their independent research during the two-year program.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits | |
| Year 1 | |||
| Fall Semester | GRDM-G 660 | Clinical Research Methods | 3 |
| PBHL-B 561
OR PBHL-P551 |
Introduction to Biostatistics
OR Biostatistics for Public Health |
3 | |
| Spring Semester | GRDM-G 661 | Clinical Trials | 3 |
| GRDM-G 664 | Mentored Clinical Research | 3 | |
| Summer | GRDM-G 664 | Mentored Clinical Research | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall Semester | GRDM-G 504 | Introduction to Research Ethics | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Spring Semester | GRDM-G 664 | Mentored Clinical Research | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Total | 30 |
| Course Name | Course Number | Semester | Credits |
| Responsible Conduct of Research | GRDM-G 505 | Fall | 1 |
| Responsible Conduct of Translational Research | GRDM-G 506 | Spring | 1-2 |
| Biostatistics – Public Health II (SAS)
Prerequisite: P511 and B552 or B561 |
PBHL-B 562 | Spring – 16 week | 3 |
| Biostatistics – Public Health II (R)
Prerequisite: P511 and B552 or B561 |
PBHL-B 562 | Spring – 8 week | 3 |
| US Health Care System & Health Policy | PBHL-P 504 | Fall/Spring | 3 |
| Applied Methods in Health Services Research | GRDM-G 663 | Fall | 3 |
| Course Name | Course Number | Semester | Credits |
| Social & Behavioral Science in PH | PBHL-P 500 | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Data Management | PBHL-B 552 | Fall/Spring | 3 |
| Health Economics | PBHL-H 514 | Fall | 3 |
| Health Promotion & Disease Prevention | PBHL-S 617 | Fall/Spring | 3 |
| Biostatistics Computing | PBHL-B 581 | Fall | 3 |
| Foundations in Public Health Informatics | PBHL-E 635 | Fall/Spring | 3 |
| Health Services Financial Management | PBHL-H 509 | Spring | 3 |
| Course Name | Course Number | Semester | Credits |
| Advanced Epidemiology
Prerequisite: P517 |
PBHL-E 601 | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| Applied Epidemiology Methods | PBHL-E 711 | Fall/Spring | 3 |
| Design and Implementation of Observational Studies | PBHL-E 715 | Spring | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Epidemiology | PBHL-P 517 | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| Bio Methods I: Linear Models in Public Health
OR Biostatistics Methods II: Categorical Data Analysis |
PBHL-B 571
OR PBHL-B 572 |
Fall (PBHL-B 571)
Spring (PBHL-B 572) |
3 |
| Introduction to Public Health | PBHL-P 510 | Fall/Spring/Summer | 3 |
| Infectious Disease Epidemiology | PBHL-E 609 | Spring/Summer | 3 |
You may choose other courses relevant to your research interests from the IU Indianapolis schedule of classes. A course must be at the 500 or above level to qualify as a graduate course. Note: All class times are subject to change. Please confirm time before registering.
Permission to register is required for most of the courses listed above. Please email the appropriate individual below for permission to register. In addition, please include your student ID# when requesting permission.
GRDM G 664: Contact Samantha Ortega for permission to register
PBHL (Public Health): Contact Shawne Mathis for permission to register.
Tara Zielke, MD
Vascular surgery research resident
Pursuing the Master of Science in Clinical Research has been a transformative experience in my journey toward becoming an academic vascular surgeon. The curriculum spanning clinical research methods, biostatistics, and clinical trials gave me the quantitative and methodological foundation I needed to design and execute meaningful research. Electives in public health and health policy broadened my perspective considerably, helping me understand how vascular disease burdens populations at a systems level and how policy can shape access to surgical care. The mentorship component has been equally invaluable; working closely with my mentorship team has accelerated my growth and helped me to define my professional goals. This degree has given me the tools, the network, and the confidence to pursue independent clinical research, positioning me to contribute meaningfully to the evidence base that will ultimately improve outcomes for vascular surgery patients.
Brandon Tanner, MD
Pediatric anesthesiologist
Working in academic medicine, I had some experience in clinical research from different projects that I had been involved with during my training. However, we were not taught a lot about the basics of conducting clinical research in medical school. Through my time with the CITE program I have learned many of the foundations of clinical research that I can now build on in the future. After graduation, I will feel more confident in not only taking on bigger projects but also designing and leading projects of my own in clinical research.
New Course Offerings
We are excited to announce a new course—Applied Methods in Health Services Research. This course will be taught by Dr. Katie Ross-Driscoll and complements the lessons taught in our previously established course Clinical Research Methods. Please, see below for the course description and objectives. We would love for you to enroll this fall! Email Samantha Ortega to register.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to health services research (HSR), with an emphasis on understanding how healthcare is delivered, measured, and improved. The course integrates conceptual frameworks, data sources, and advanced analytic methods to evaluate healthcare access, quality, cost, and equity.
The course is designed for graduate students and clinical trainees seeking to apply rigorous methods to healthcare delivery and outcomes research. Students will develop skills to design and conduct HSR studies using real-world data, interpret findings for policy and clinical audiences, and critically evaluate existing literature. The course has been designed for trainees in the MS and Certificate in Clinical Research programs.
By completing this course, the student will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to design and conduct health services research including the ability to:
- Critically analyze the scope and goals of health services research
- Evaluate and apply conceptual frameworks for assessing access, quality, and cost of health care
- Critically assess and integrate major data sources for health services research (claims, registries, EHRs)
- Design and justify observational studies addressing healthcare delivery questions
- Analyze and mitigate common biases (confounding, selection, information bias) impacting health services research
- Evaluate and interpret the application and utility of advanced modeling techniques commonly utilized in HSR studies (i.e., difference-in-difference approaches, multilevel modeling)
- Critically evaluate and synthesize the role of quality improvement methods and implementation science in improving health care delivery
- Synthesize and effectively communicate findings to clinical, policy, and research audiences
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research is for those seeking foundational knowledge and skills in clinical research.
Who Should Apply?
The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research is designed for health care professionals who already have a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DNS, DDS) or who are in training for a doctoral degree.
Certificate Program Details
Our Graduate Certificate usually spans 12-18 months, with courses offered annually. Students average six credit hours in the fall, and spring semesters and three credit hours in the summer, for a total of 14 credit hours.
Ph.D. Minor in Clinical Research
The PhD Minor in Clinical Research is designed to provide PhD students with a comprehensive overview of clinical research, introducing them to essential concepts and skills such as clinical research methods, research ethics, and biostatistics.
Who Should Apply?
PhD students interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in clinical research. This degree must also be approved by the minor program director, in conjunction with the student’s PhD program advisor.
PhD Minor Details
This program provides an overview of clinical research by introducing them to core research concepts and skills, including clinical research methodology, clinical trials, research ethics and biostatistics. The Clinical Research Minor includes nine credit hours of core coursework (selected from the list below). Additionally, each student will complete one elective relevant (3-credits) to their specific area of research interest.
The 12-credit PhD Minor in Clinical Research
- Clinical Research Methods (3 credit hours)
- Clinical Trials (3 credit hours)
- Research Ethics (3 credit hours)
- Introduction to Biostatistics I, or alternate biostatistics course (3 credit hours)
Application Details:
Prospective applicants for these programs must be pre-approved. Contact Samantha Ortega for information regarding the application process.
Contact
-
Samantha Ortega
Program Manager
Email
317-278-2824