Programs

In response to a growing demand for formal degrees in Clinical Translational Sciences (CTS), in 2014 the University of Arizona established the CTS graduate program in 2014.  The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in CTS are now available at both the Tucson and Phoenix campuses of the University of Arizona.  Eligible applicants include those who have completed a bachelor's degree in health sciences or a related biological or basic science field, as well as those holding a terminal health sciences degree such as an MD, PharmD, DNP or DPH. 

The M.S. program requires 30 units of coursework that includes a thesis reporting a substantial research project.  The Ph.D. requires 63 units, including coursework in the major and the selected minor and 18 units of dissertation research.  Both Ph.D. and M.S. students customize their coursework with their advisor to include useful courses offered in any of UA's Health Sciences colleges:  Medicine, Pharamacy, Public Health and Nursing.

Postgraduate students (i.e. those who already hold a terminal health sciences degree) can expect to complete the M.S. in roughly one year or the Ph.D. in about three to four years.  Post-baccalaureate students generally complete the M.S. in two years, or the Ph.D. in four to five years.  While the program financially supports only domestic (U.S. citizen or permanent resident) Ph.D. students in the first year of the program, all students select a faculty mentor, who will normally employ the student to work in their laboratory.  CTS students thus gain practical experience in translational research while completing their courses and then develop and complete their own research, which is reported in the dissertation or thesis.

Additional details of the M.S. and Ph.D. programs may be found on the web pages linked to the left.