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The MSCE program offers rigorous training for experienced medical professionals aiming to enhance their expertise as academic researchers. Candidates with graduate degrees in medicine, nursing, or related healthcare disciplines develop skills in designing epidemiological studies and mastering biostatistical methods tailored to their research focus. Under the close supervision of a primary advisor and mentorship team, participants refine their ability to formulate precise research inquiries and pursue robust, nuanced solutions. Recognized as one of the country's premier clinical research programs, the MSCE features over 150 faculty members and typically requires two to three years of full-time study. The curriculum equips students to: Create, execute, and evaluate original research initiatives. Gain proficiency in diverse research methodologies including randomized trials, cohort analyses, case-control studies, surveys, and quasi-experimental designs. Comprehend health measurement principles relevant to epidemiological investigations. Develop advanced critical thinking skills for evaluating medical literature. Grasp biostatistical fundamentals with specific applications to epidemiological research. Utilize and interpret statistical software for comprehensive data analysis.
Applicants must have an advanced degree in medicine, nursing, or another health-related field, from an accredited college or university, plus advanced clinical training in any specialty or subspecialty of medicine, or its equivalent in another health-related discipline.
A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. Applicants whose families do not speak English at home, or applicants who have not attended a high school or secondary school where the primary language of instruction is English, are asked to take the TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, administered by the Educational Testing Service. In the event the TOEFL is not readily accessible, Penn will accept results from the IELTS, the International English Language Testing System.