MS in Clinical Research

Resources

Orientation Binder (Handbook)

Annual Activities and Accomplishment Report: due each May while in the program.

Committee on Studies (COS) forms:

Appointment: due June after admission into MSCR program.
- Please review Student Committee Composition requirements prior to submission.
- Non-UNM tenure track faculty committee members (Category 2 or Category 4):
  - Two weeks before your comprehensive exam or defense date, students are responsible for submitting the email address, phone number, and CV for Category 2 (Non-UNM tenured or tenure track faculty) or Category 4 (Others considered experts in the field) committee members to SOMREO@salud.unm.edu. Please also indicate if the person is tenure track faulty at a non-UNM institution in your request. SOMREO will submit the person to OGS for commitee service approval.
- If your appointed tenure-track committee member leaves UNM, retires, or changes status, you need to request their approval for committee service (see above).
Report: due every 3 months.

Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI) Assessments (download for fillable versions):

Beginning: submitted with CCTS application.
Interim: due June of 2nd and subsequent years in both CCTS and MSCR programs.
End: submitted as part of graduation processing in final semester.

COVID-19

SOMREO Remote Office Hours
UNM’s dedicated COVID-19 website
HSC policies may add additional restrictions or differ from UNM main campus policies. Check your email regularly for updates from the HSC and SOMREO related to COVID-19. The HSC created its own COVID-19 webpage to track these updates.
FAQs for SOMREO learners
UNM HSC research continuity guidance document
CDC - Demonstration of Donning (Putting On) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Video

Graduate Resource Center Workshops: Calendar

Workshops on a variety of topics for graduate students including; Wellness, Reading Skills and Strategies, Financial Literacy, Time Management, and more.

Graduation:

MSCR Graduation Checklist: due semester prior to graduation
Exit Information Sheet: complete during your last semester.
Intent to Graduate: due after your Program of Studies (POS) is approved and no later than semester prior to graduation.
Graduate Studies Roadmap for graduation: Start to Finish
All degree requirements (except current term grades) must be complete by the following deadlines:
- Summer Graduation: July 15
- Fall Graduation: November 15
- Spring Graduation: April 15

Learning Plan samples:

Learning Plan (.xlsx)
Learning Plan (Family Planning) (.xlsx)
Learning Plan (Preventative Medicine) (.xlsx)

Level 2 Course Approval (be sure to enter the actual system course number):

Blank

Level 2 Offerings (pre-approved): A current syllabus and Course Approval form are required but the competency/objectives section of the approval form may be left blank.

BIOM 562 - Advanced Epidemiology; Domain Leader: Dr. Deirdre Hill.
PH 556/PH 656 - Community Based Participatory Research for Health: Indigenous and Critical Methodologies

Level 2 Syllabi (pre-approved): Only a Course Approval form is required when using one of the following as a Level 2 but Section II (Course Competencies) of the approval form may be left blank. The MSCR Program Director will sign off as the Domain Leader.

BIOM 505 - Behavioral Health (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Clinical Preventive Services (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Environmental Health (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Health Services Management (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Sociology of Abortion (required for Family Planning)

Manuscript (Thesis) Information - lots of information on the Graduate Studies site; format, ETD Release, Procedures, Embargo, Checklist!

Permission forms (Release for Use of Name, Likeness, Voice, Image or Performance and Copyright License):

Program of Studies (MSCR) - Master's of Science in Biomedical Science with Clinical Research Concentration: due semester prior to graduation (March 1st, July 1st, or October 1st). See below for details.

Thesis Defense information:

Announcement of Exam (online form): due to OGS at least two weeks prior
Exam Flyer: due to SOMREO at least three weeks prior
Report of Exam (online form): due within a week of your defense
1. COS (Exam Committee) Chair Initiates at gradforms.unm.edu by entering the overall COS decision
2. Each member of the COS, including the Chair a second time, enters their individual decision
3. The form then routes electronically to OGS
Report on Thesis/Dissertation: one from each reader due within a week of your defense
1. These are paper forms completed by each member of the examination committee
2. The COS Chair should collect these and return them to SOMREO for forwarding to OGS

Tuition Remission:

Tuition Remission Information and Form
Work with your home department to complete the form and submit it each semester you are enrolled in courses.

Those accepted in the degree program prepare an individual Inventory Assessment: Needs Analysis and Self-Identification to identify knowledge, skills and abilities attributable to their prior education, training, and experience. Together with the degree Committee of Studies and their mentors, learners develop an Individual Program of Studies that prepares them to develop clinical and translational research skills sufficient to become independent investigators.

The M.S. in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Clinical Research encompasses an individualized learning experience of 35 credit hours as follows:

Program Core (16 credit hours): Program core requires completion of the “Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science” (CCTS) curriculum listed elsewhere and substitutes for the core requirements of the MS-Biomedical Sciences.
Electives (13 credit hours): A second credit hour in any one of the domains is considered an elective. No single domain may accrue more than 5 credit hours beyond Program Core. Two credit hours of electives are required in no less than three domains, and 3 credit hours of electives in at least two domains.
Thesis (6 credit hours): BIOM 599. Many higher level competencies are attained through practical research experience.

Year One:

Students complete the core curriculum (16 credits) for the CCTS program and apply for the MSCR program.

To view the curriculum of the CCTS program, click here.

Year Two:

Starting in the Summer term of Year 2, students will begin earning 13 Credits of upper-level competencies that are offered in an independent study model and are customized based on each student’s interests, research project and desired emphasis. Click here for a list of upper-level competencies completed by past MSCR students.

10 Domains :

BIOM 556: Research Design
BIOM 557: Measurement (Qualitative)
BIOM 557: Measurement (Quantitative)
BIOM 559: Biostatistics
BIOM 562: Epidemiology
BIOM 564: Biomedical Informatics
BIOM 565: Cultural Competence
BIOM 566: Grantsmanship
BIOM 567: Biomedical Ethics and Regulatory Compliance
BIOM 570: Scientific Writing

In order to complete the MSCR degree, students must enroll in a 2nd hour of BIOM 568 (Seminar in Clinical and Translational Research) and at least 6 Thesis hours and prepare a thesis document in accordance with the MSCR and Office of Graduate Studies guidelines. Students must present their completed thesis research to a public audience and defend their project during a closed exam session with their Committee On Studies. The program is designed for students to be able to complete the MSCR in a two-year period with the defense is typically scheduled for the Summer term of year 2.

Resources available to students through the Student Health and Counseling Office:

Counseling Tips for Students/Parents (and Mentors)
Counseling Resources
Medical Services (Immunizations, Lab and X-Ray, Acupuncture, etc.)
Pharmacy

Documents & Forms

Orientation Binder (Handbook)

Annual Activities and Accomplishment Report: due each May while in the program.

Committee on Studies (COS) forms:

Appointment: due June after admission into MSCR program.
- Please review Student Committee Composition requirements prior to submission.
- Non-UNM tenure track faculty committee members (Category 2 or Category 4):
  - Two weeks before your comprehensive exam or defense date, students are responsible for submitting the email address, phone number, and CV for Category 2 (Non-UNM tenured or tenure track faculty) or Category 4 (Others considered experts in the field) committee members to SOMREO@salud.unm.edu. Please also indicate if the person is tenure track faulty at a non-UNM institution in your request. SOMREO will submit the person to OGS for commitee service approval.
- If your appointed tenure-track committee member leaves UNM, retires, or changes status, you need to request their approval for committee service (see above).
Report: due every 3 months.

Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI) Assessments (download for fillable versions):

Beginning: submitted with CCTS application.
Interim: due June of 2nd and subsequent years in both CCTS and MSCR programs.
End: submitted as part of graduation processing in final semester.

COVID-19

SOMREO Remote Office Hours
UNM’s dedicated COVID-19 website
HSC policies may add additional restrictions or differ from UNM main campus policies. Check your email regularly for updates from the HSC and SOMREO related to COVID-19. The HSC created its own COVID-19 webpage to track these updates.
FAQs for SOMREO learners
UNM HSC research continuity guidance document
CDC - Demonstration of Donning (Putting On) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Video

Graduate Resource Center Workshops: Calendar

Workshops on a variety of topics for graduate students including; Wellness, Reading Skills and Strategies, Financial Literacy, Time Management, and more.

Graduation:

MSCR Graduation Checklist: due semester prior to graduation
Exit Information Sheet: complete during your last semester.
Intent to Graduate: due after your Program of Studies (POS) is approved and no later than semester prior to graduation.
Graduate Studies Roadmap for graduation: Start to Finish
All degree requirements (except current term grades) must be complete by the following deadlines:
- Summer Graduation: July 15
- Fall Graduation: November 15
- Spring Graduation: April 15

Learning Plan samples:

Learning Plan (.xlsx)
Learning Plan (Family Planning) (.xlsx)
Learning Plan (Preventative Medicine) (.xlsx)

Level 2 Course Approval (be sure to enter the actual system course number):

Blank

Level 2 Offerings (pre-approved): A current syllabus and Course Approval form are required but the competency/objectives section of the approval form may be left blank.

BIOM 562 - Advanced Epidemiology; Domain Leader: Dr. Deirdre Hill.
PH 556/PH 656 - Community Based Participatory Research for Health: Indigenous and Critical Methodologies

BIOM 505 - Behavioral Health (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Clinical Preventive Services (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Environmental Health (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Health Services Management (required for Preventive Medicine)
BIOM 505 - Sociology of Abortion (required for Family Planning)

Manuscript (Thesis) Information - lots of information on the Graduate Studies site; format, ETD Release, Procedures, Embargo, Checklist!

Permission forms (Release for Use of Name, Likeness, Voice, Image or Performance and Copyright License):

Thesis Defense information:

Announcement of Exam (online form): due to OGS at least two weeks prior
Exam Flyer: due to SOMREO at least three weeks prior
Report of Exam (online form): due within a week of your defense
1. COS (Exam Committee) Chair Initiates at gradforms.unm.edu by entering the overall COS decision
2. Each member of the COS, including the Chair a second time, enters their individual decision
3. The form then routes electronically to OGS
Report on Thesis/Dissertation: one from each reader due within a week of your defense
1. These are paper forms completed by each member of the examination committee
2. The COS Chair should collect these and return them to SOMREO for forwarding to OGS

Tuition Remission:

Tuition Remission Information and Form
Work with your home department to complete the form and submit it each semester you are enrolled in courses.

Curriculum Outline

The M.S. in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Clinical Research encompasses an individualized learning experience of 35 credit hours as follows:

Program Core (16 credit hours): Program core requires completion of the “Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science” (CCTS) curriculum listed elsewhere and substitutes for the core requirements of the MS-Biomedical Sciences.
Electives (13 credit hours): A second credit hour in any one of the domains is considered an elective. No single domain may accrue more than 5 credit hours beyond Program Core. Two credit hours of electives are required in no less than three domains, and 3 credit hours of electives in at least two domains.
Thesis (6 credit hours): BIOM 599. Many higher level competencies are attained through practical research experience.

Year One:

Students complete the core curriculum (16 credits) for the CCTS program and apply for the MSCR program.

To view the curriculum of the CCTS program, click here.

Year Two:

10 Domains :

BIOM 556: Research Design
BIOM 557: Measurement (Qualitative)
BIOM 557: Measurement (Quantitative)
BIOM 559: Biostatistics
BIOM 562: Epidemiology
BIOM 564: Biomedical Informatics
BIOM 565: Cultural Competence
BIOM 566: Grantsmanship
BIOM 567: Biomedical Ethics and Regulatory Compliance
BIOM 570: Scientific Writing

Student Health and Counseling

Resources available to students through the Student Health and Counseling Office:

Counseling Tips for Students/Parents (and Mentors)
Counseling Resources
Medical Services (Immunizations, Lab and X-Ray, Acupuncture, etc.)
Pharmacy

Applicants

Completion of the Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) is a prerequisite for admission.

Program of Studies (MS-CR) Instructions

Follow these instructions if you are completing the full Clinical and Translational Science Master's program (MSCR). The form is due to the School of Medicine - Research Education Office at least one week prior to the OGS deadline:

Summer Graduation: March 1st
Fall Graduation: July 1st
Spring Graduation: October 1st

Program of Studies Form (PDF and Electronic):

Section 1: Complete with your info.
Section 2: "SOM - Research Education Office"
Section 3: Complete with your info.
Section 4:
Check (pdf) or select from dropdown (online) "Master's Degree (plus Graduate Certificate)"
Degree Abbreviation (Primary Program): "Master's of Science"
Major: "Biomedical Sciences"
Banner Major Code: "MS-BIOM"
Also fill in the following (pdf) or select "Add Secondary Program (online):
Degree Abbreviation (Certificate) "Graduate Certificate" (pdf):
Major: "Clinical and Translational Science" (pdf):
Banner Major Code: "GCERT-CTS" (pdf):
In the secondary program pop up, enter “GCERT-CTS." (online)
Section 5: fill in (pdf) or select "Add a Concentraton" (online) "Clinical Research"
Section 6: Blank
Section 7: Check "Plan I (with thesis)"
Section 8: Enter the Semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) and Year you intend to graduate.
Section 9: Check the year you entered the program.
Section 10: Enter all applicable courses, noting core with a checkmark in the "C" column. For online, CCTS core courses (1st year) should be noted for both the Masters and the GCERT.
Section 11: Enter approved Applied Credit (courses taken at UNM as Non-Degree, Extension, or while an Undergraduate) courses here.
Section 12: Enter approved transfer (non-UNM) courses here.
Section 13: Enter all courses used for the Certificate (16 hours marked in blue on your Learning Plan). Courses listed here should also appear in one of the preceding sections, 10-12. Use additional pages if more lines are required.
Section 14: Blank
Section 15: Student and Major Advisor (Committee Chair) sign.
Section 16: Student and Major Advisor (Committee Chair) sign.

If using the PDF form:

Once you and your Committee Chair have signed, the form should be submitted to the School of Medicine - Research Education Office for Graduate Director signatures, recording, and courier to Graduate Studies.

If using the electronic form:

Select all of the CCTS and MSCR courses in the left side check-box.
Core box: select for all of the CCTS courses.
Multiple Credential column: select Shared Credit for all CCTS courses and Major (or First Degree) for all MSCR courses.

Once you have submitted your form on gradforms.unm.edu and your Committee Chair has electronically signed the form on gradforms.unm.edu, the form will electronically route to the Graduate Director for signature. If the graduate director approves, the form will electronically route to OGS.

At the various steps of approval, emails are generated to the student and notifications are sent to the appropriate reviewer as well.

The student can check the status of the POS (who’s queue the form is in) on gradforms.unm.edu.

If at any step your POS is rejected/returned for correction, it will be routed back to the student with comment from the reviewer as to what changes are needed on the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tuition remission be used?

Tuition remission is available to applicants who are UNM employees and qualify for this benefit. All students are responsible for payment of their tuition and fees.

Information on current tuition rates can be found here.
Tuition Remission Information and Form
Work with your home department to complete the form and submit it each semester you are enrolled in courses.

How do I know which courses I am registered for?

The School of Medicine - Research Education Office (SOMREO) registers CCTS students for their courses each semester. Each semesters’ courses are listed on the CCTS Schedule for the cohort. This CCTS Schedule is hosted on the SOMREO website under Graduate > CCTS > Resources > Curriculum Outline > CCTS Schedule (select your cohort’s schedule). SOMREO will email students once they have been registered each semester. These courses should be included on a student’s tuition remission form if applicable.

Students are responsible for verifying their course registration is accurate. Please let the SOMREO staff know about discrepancies in registration. Students can view their current course schedule using LoboWeb.

Access LoboWeb by navigating to http://my.unm.edu.
Log in with main campus netID and password.
Click Enter Loboweb.
Click Student tab.
Click Registration & Records

How do I request support from the SOMREO Staff?

Please send all communication for CCTS/MSCR to SOMREO@salud.unm.edu or 505-272-1887.

Will this impact my Tenure Clock?

Tenure-track faculty, please click here to view the Probationary Hold Policy (i.e. stopping the "Tenure Clock"). Further instructions will be provided to tenure-track faculty who are formally admitted to the MSCR Program.

Contact

Mailing Address

School of Medicine Research Education Office
MSC08-4560
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 272-1887
Fax: (505) 272-8738

Email: SOMREO@salud.unm.edu

Physical Location:
UNM Health Sciences Center (North Campus)
Reginald Heber Fitz Hall (Building 211)
Room B61