Date Effective: July 1, 1992
Date Revised: February 29, 2000

POLICY & PROCEDURE MEMORANDUM ACADEMIC PROGRAMS - 14

SUBJECT:   Master of Science Degree - Interdivisional Program in Clinical Investigation

INTRODUCTION

The Sc.M. degree, with a sub-specialty in clinical investigation, is a cooperative graduate training program with the School of Medicine. While the degree will be awarded through the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the program is directed and administered by an inter-school Advisory Council and a Program Director appointed by the Deans of both Schools.

This memorandum contains the following information concerning minimal requirements for the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation degree:

        I.            Administrative Requirements

                             A.            Academic prerequisites

                             B.            Residence

                             C.            Curriculum

                             D.            Submission of approved thesis

                              E.            Time limit for completion

2. Certifications by the Faculty

                             A.            Comprehensive written examination

                             B.            Master of Science thesis proposal

                             C.            Master of Science thesis and faculty evaluation

1. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

                             A.            Academic Prerequisites

Policy

Candidates must have a Doctoral degree, and will ordinarily be enrolled in a postdoctoral clinical training program within the University.

Procedure

Administrative clearance: acceptance is by approval of the Program's Advisory Council after review by the Council's Committee on Candidate Selection. The Admissions office will be responsible for receiving and filing admission materials and credentials.

2. Residence

Policy

The Program's Advisory Council shall determine what proportion of the required academic credits must be taken in full-time residence and what proportion may be taken on a part-time basis.

While the official records will be maintained by the Registrar, the student's advisor is responsible for monitoring fulfillment of this requirement.

3. Curriculum

Policy

                                                      1.            At least 70 credit hours of coursework is required, as specified in the catalogue. This will ordinarily be accomplished in a summer term and four contiguous academic terms in the same year. In special circumstances with the approval of the program's Advisory Council, the coursework may be completed over two or more years if deemed to be in the best interest of the student's career development.

2. At the completion of the coursework, the student must be in good academic standing. A student not in good standing will be placed on probation. The decision to permit continued enrollment of a student on academic probation will be made by the Program Director with the concurrence of the program's Advisory Council and the SHPH Committee on Academic Standards.

Procedure

                                                      3.            Official records of all coursework taken to fulfill this degree (including coursework taken in the School of Medicine) will be maintained by the SHPH Registrar.

4. Exemption from certain required courses, based on previous training, experience or by examination, may be requested from the course instructor after approval by the Program Director. For credit units exempted from a required course, the student must elect an equivalent number of units in formal courses and/or special studies.
5. To remain in good academic standing, all of the following achievements are required: (a) a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5; (b) no grade of "F" in any required course; (c) no more than two grades of "D" or "F" combined in any courses; (d) no more than six credits of "incomplete" work at any one time.
6. No more than one retake of a required course in which a student receives a grade of "D" or "F" will be permitted.
3. Submission of Approved Thesis

See PREPARATION OF THESIS

5. Time Limit for Completion

Not more than four years may elapse between the date of matriculation and the fulfillment of all requirements for this degree.

2. CERTIFICATIONS BY THE FACULTY

                             A.            Comprehensive written examination.

Policy

A written comprehensive examination is required of all degree candidates. This examination constitutes a comprehensive inquiry into the student's grasp of the subject matter underlying the degree. It should explore the student's understanding of scientific principles and methods, as well as his substantive knowledge of the major disciplines and related areas involved.

Procedure

                                                      1.            The Curriculum Committee of the program's Advisory Council arranges for, administers, and evaluates the result of this examination.

2. Timing. The examination should normally be given upon completion of the 70 credits of coursework.
3. Results. The outcome of the examination is determined by the program's Curriculum Committee with review and approval by the program's Advisory Council. An evaluation of the student's performance on this examination is to be submitted to the Registrar for transmittal to the Committee on Academic Standards.
4. Committee on Academic Standards.
1. Master of Science Thesis Proposal

Policy

A written description of the candidate's proposed thesis project must be submitted for critique and approval before the research is initiated.

Procedure

The Research Review Committee of the Program's Advisory Council will arrange for critical review of a candidate's proposed by a suitable committee of at least three faculty, chaired by the candidate's advisor.

3. Master of Science Thesis and Faculty Evaluation

Policy

A written thesis must be (a) based on original research; (b) worthy of publication; and (c) acceptable to the program's Advisory Council and to a Committee of Thesis Readers. Evaluation of the thesis shall be conducted by a Committee of Thesis Readers after the Program Director and the Advisory Council agree that the candidate is ready. For this evaluation, individual readers shall determine: (a) the originality and publication potential of the research; (b) the candidate's understanding of the details of the methodologic and analytic work; (c) the final quality of the written thesis document. An oral defense of the thesis may be required by the Advisory Council.

Procedure

                                                      1.            Timing. A request for the formation of a Committee of Thesis Readers should be made by the student's advisor at least four weeks prior to the expected completion date. Committee members are encouraged and expected to work closely with the student, making specific recommendations for changes in the thesis as needed.

2. Certification and Fulfillment of Requirements and Nomination for Degree. On the form requesting appointment of a committee of readers, the Program Director will certify that all requirements for the degree have been fulfilled. This is considered to be a nomination for the degree.
3. Committee of Readers. The Committee on Academic Standards shall, upon recommendation of the Program Director and Advisory Council's Committee on Research Review shall, approve a committee of four readers, including the student's thesis advisor. The readers should be at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher. A minimum of three departments of the University, including one from the Bloomberg School of Public Health and one from the School of Medicine must be represented.
4. Report of Readers. It is the responsibility of the thesis advisor to ascertain that all suggested revisions are incorporated into the final copy of the thesis. When the thesis is deemed acceptable, each reader shall submit a letter to this effect to the Registrar for the attention of the Associate Dean responsible for academic affairs. It is the advisor's responsibility to ascertain that each reader has filed the letter with the Associate Dean. Should there be a conflict between the student and a committee member that holds up the submission of the letter, this shall be resolved by the thesis advisor, or if this is not possible, by the SHPH Committee on Academic Standards. Completion of the degree is not finalized until the student deposits the required number of final bound copies of the thesis with the Registrar.