Program Overview

High-Impact Evidence Evaluation in Patient Settings

The field of clinical research is evolving at an unprecedented rate, driven by advances in gene therapy and genetics, new guidelines around care, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in research. Evidence-based medicine aims to translate the latest scientific findings into clinical practice.

AI applications can expedite this process by helping clinicians to synthesize and leverage the best available evidence from multiple sources to make informed decisions and recommendations—from evaluating whether to add a new treatment option to a hospital’s formulary to conducting drug safety and efficacy assessments.

Harvard Medical School’s new Master of Science in Clinical Research program is designed for high-potential, early-career health care professionals, including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses, who are either junior faculty or completing their training.

The program draws upon the network, experience, and expertise of Harvard Medical School and its world-renowned hospital affiliates. As a student, you will join a community of like-minded clinicians focused on our overall mission—improving patient care and alleviating human suffering to improve health and well-being for all. 

While earning your Master of Science in Clinical Research degree from Harvard Medical School, you will:

  • Gain a solid theoretical foundation in clinical research, including in epidemiology and biostatistics
  • Learn about decision sciences, applied omics science, and translating innovation into clinical practice
  • Complete a capstone project focused on a systematic review and/or meta-analysis project
  • Enhance your skills and expand your knowledge to thrive in the competitive health care landscape

With full-time and part-time program options available, this flexible program is designed for busy clinicians. It can be completed in 10 months or spread out over two or three academic years. This high-residency program is primarily delivered in person on Harvard Medical School’s campus in Boston. Blended and online learning complements the in-person program format. 

Frequently Asked Questions
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  • Program Objectives and Highlights
    Program Overview

    Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

    • Apply contemporary research tools in relevant areas of investigation, including decision science, data evaluation, and guideline development 
    • Be competitive for careers as clinician-scientists or related positions in health systems, health policy units in government or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), industry, and regulatory affairs 
    • Evaluate evidence and interpret results to make informed clinical decisions and influence health care guidelines
    • Gain the essential skills to perform and interpret systematic reviews and meta-analyses

     

    The program’s coursework will help you develop fundamental and practical skills around evidence-based medicine. The curriculum focuses on clinical trials and evidence evaluation, analysis for guideline development, and how to interpret evidence in published literature. Additionally, you will gain the theoretical training and practical skills needed to perform real-world research, a systematic review, and/or meta-analysis, which is the basis for the final capstone project.


    Program Highlights
    • A capstone project on a topic of your choice with the guidance of a dedicated Harvard Medical School advisor 
    • Courses focused on epidemiology, biostatistics, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, decision science, guideline development, mixed methods research, and applied omics science to help you evaluate evidence and make recommendations on new therapies and guidelines 
    • A comprehensive curriculum that includes the fundamentals of evidence-based medicine taught in a flipped classroom model

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