Graduate Studies in the Clinical Health Sciences
The School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in clinical health sciences. The Graduate Program in clinical health sciences makes available to qualified students an organized educational framework that offers preparation for research in clinically significant areas, requiring a strong background knowledge in principles of clinical health sciences. Taking advantage of the Medical Center's extensive resources, these programs will help give students the working knowledge and tools necessary to conduct quality, independent research. The program was developed for students who have already completed the entry-level requirements in a health profession or BS degree and an experience in a health related area. A student must have a minimum of the B.S. degree from an accredited institution. The program of study and research will lead the student to a better understanding of health care systems, and advanced technologies in clinical laboratory sciences. A student's course work combines knowledge of the scientific foundations of practice and scientific methodology. Advanced preparation of study in a clinical health systems track, informatics track and a clinical laboratory sciences track is available. The primary goal of the graduate program in clinical health sciences is to develop health care experts who can conduct basic or applied research on clinically significant problems related to health care. Related objectives are to foster the spirit of interdisciplinary cooperation among clinical practitioners; to provide highly qualified graduates who can teach in health professional schools or fill leadership roles in organizations, industry or governmental agencies as related to health care; and to develop a cadre of researchers who can address contemporary problems in the delivery of health care. For application procedures, admissions...etc, can be found at the UMC WEB/School of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences.
Master's Program
Purpose:
The program of study leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Health Sciences is designed for those who wish to plan, implement and analyze both quantitative and qualitative research studies, using appropriate research designs. The core of the curriculum are tabulated below (see table 1):
| Course Name, Number and Time Offered* | Credit Hours | |
| 1. | CHS 606, Philosophy of Science (Fall Quarter) | 3 |
| 2. | CHS 601, Biostatistics (Fall Quarter) | 3 |
| 3. | CHS 604, Research Methods I (Winter Quarter) | 3 |
| 4. | CHS 602, Biostatistical Modeling (Statistics II) (Winter Quarter) | 3 |
| 5. | CHS 620-1, Essentials of Pathophysiology I (Spring Quarter) | 3 |
| 6. | CHS 623. Pathophysiological Phenomenon or CHS 623-2, Health Systems Phenomenon,(Spring Quarter) | 3 |
| 7. | CHS 640, Biomedical Ethics and Health Law in the Clinical health sciences (Sp ring Quarter) | 3 |
| 8. | CHS 605, Research Methods II (Summer Quarter) | 3 |
| Total | 24 | |
*Time offered is subject to change based on availability of number of students and resources.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to pursue academic careers in a variety of settings where data is required to answer complex questions. The emphasis is on training clinician researchers to teach research methods, conduct methodologically rigorous and scientifically sound studies in a variety of work settings.
Master's Program Outcomes
- Graduates will demonstrate technical skills of fundamental/core concepts common to clinical health sciences.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to work on novel, and meritorious research under supervision of CHS graduate faculty.
- Graduates will assume responsibilities in academic, hospital, and research-based positions.
Admission Criteria:
Various conditions determine the number of admissions to the Graduate Programs in the Clinical Health Sciences. At times, there may be no opening in a specific track or tracks in the Clinical Health Sciences program.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Selection of applicants is made on a competitive basis, and equal educational opportunity is offered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability or veteran status.
- A student must have a minimum of the Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution. Admission is limited to individuals who are registered, certified or licensed at the state or national level in an academic health care discipline approved by the graduate program director or individuals with extensive experience in health related environment.
- Preference is given to: 1) residents of Mississippi and 2) faculty who are employed at least 50 percent time in a health care profession as approved under Item 1 above. To receive the faculty preference, the applicant must submit a letter from the dean or director of the health professional program in which she/he is a faculty indicating at least 50 percent employment in the program.
- An official transcript from all schools attended post high school.
- An official report from GRE scores. The report must include verbal, quantitative and analytical scores. If an official report of the GRE scores is not on file in the medical center's Office of the Registrar then applicants must either take the GRE and have scores sent directly from ETS to the Office of the Registrar or have a certified copy of GRE scores sent from the previous college attended. Information regarding the GRE may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, 20 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. Application materials to take the GRE may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.
- Current curriculum vitae which must include applicant's research interest(s) and career goals. (Example format included in application packet.)
- The initial evaluation of applicants for admission to the Graduate Programs in the Clinical Health Sciences is made on the basis of an evaluation of all application materials. Only completed applications will be evaluated. Those applicants for whom the initial evaluation indicates the scholastic competency necessary to successfully pursue a graduate degree may be further evaluated by personal interview.
Admission of a student to the graduate program must be approved by the Director of the Clinical Health Sciences Program and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences. No applicant may enroll for courses either as a full-time or part-time student without being properly admitted to the graduate program and notified by a letter of acceptance from the Division of Student Services and Records.
Admission to a program of graduate study does not constitute admission to candidacy for a degree. See section on Admission to Candidacy.
Admission to Candidacy: After completion of the core courses (see list below) of graduate study, a student may be admitted to candidacy for the master degree following written application using forms obtained from the office of the Graduate School. The student's advisor and the Director of the Clinical Health Sciences Program must approve the course of study and admission.
Time Limit for Degree Requirements: Six years from the date of first registration is the time limit for the completion of all requirements.
Master's Thesis or Non-Thesis Option
- Thesis Option: A well-written thesis in the field of interest, prepared according to the prescribed form, is required of each candidate. The thesis should show evidence of original investigation. The candidate's Advisory Committee, the Director of the Graduate Program, and the Dean of the Graduate School must approve a minimum of four copies of the thesis in final form. For the spring quarter, this approval must be obtained at least one month prior to the date of conferring degrees. The thesis-binding fee is paid to the Student Accounting Office after the thesis defense is given. The fee covers the binding of four copies. A booklet of direction concerning the thesis and the abstract may be obtained from the office of the Graduate Council.
- Non-thesis option : Students may choose a non-thesis option and can earn Master in clinical health sciences. Students electing the non-thesis option fulfill the research requirement part through academic courses and a total of 45 hours of course work must be attained.
PhD PROGRAM
Introduction
The program leading to the Ph.D. degree in CHS represents more than merely the sum of time in residence. To receive the doctoral degree in CHS, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of general proficiency and distinctive attainment in a special field and a recognized ability for independent investigation as presented in a dissertation based upon original research. The following requirements for the Ph.D. degree are minimal and apply to all students seeking the doctoral degree. There may be additional track requirements.
Purpose:
The goal of the clinical lab, informatics and systems tracks in clinical health sciences program is to develop allied health-trained specialists or whom working in health related areas who independently thrive new knowledge through observation, study, and experimentation focused on outcomes in patients, and the factors and mechanisms of diseases. The degree is designed for individuals with health related training backgrounds.
Outcomes
- Graduates will demonstrate mastery of fundamental/core concepts common to clinical health sciences.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to work on novel, and meritorious research under supervision of CHS graduate faculty .
- Graduates will assume responsibilities in academic, hospital, and research-based positions.
Admission Criteria for PhD Program
The general requirements for admission to the clinical health sciences graduate program were previously listed. Admission to the graduate program does not imply admission to candidacy for the degree. To be admitted to candidacy, the student must first satisfy all prerequisites for the qualifying examination, pass each section of this examination, and formally apply.
Probationary category is used for those students being admitted whose academic record is: (a) difficult to assess, as in the case of some international degrees; (b) below the standard normally required by the program.
Progression through the PhD Program
A minimum of 67 credit hours are required to complete the PhD degree in CHS. The distribution of the hours required for the degree can be summarized as follows:
| I. | Core Courses | 24 Hours |
| II. | Track Required Courses | 15 Hours |
| III. | Electives (determined by Advisor) | 16 Hours |
| IV. | Dissertation Proposal | 3 Hours |
| V. | Dissertation | 9 Hours (min) |
| Total | 67 Hours | |
Dual degrees requirements (MS and PhD)
A minimum of 76 credit hours are required to complete both the Ms and PhD degrees in CHS. The distribution of the hours required for the both degrees can be summarized as follows:
| I. | Core Courses | 24 Hours |
| II. | Track Required Courses | 15 Hours |
| III. | Electives (determined by Advisor) | 25 Hours |
| IV. | Dissertation Proposal | 3 Hours |
| V. | Dissertation | 9 Hours (min) |
| Total | 76 Hours | |
I. Core Courses
All students entering into the CHS graduate program (Master (600 level) or Doctoral (700 level)), are required to enroll and successfully complete the following core courses:
Table 2: Core Courses list (for detailed course descriptions please consult The University of Mississippi Medical Center Bulletin)
| Course Name, Number and Time Offered* | Credit Hours | |
| CHS 706, Philosophy of Science (Fall Quarter) | 3 | |
| CHS 701, Biostatistics (Fall Quarter) | 3 | |
| CHS 704, Research Methods I (Winter Quarter) | 3 | |
| CHS 702, Biostatistical Modeling (Statistics II) (Winter Quarter) | 3 | |
| CHS 720-1, Essentials of Pathophysiology I (Spring Quarter) | 3 | |
| CHS 723. Pathophysiological Phenomenon or CHS 623-2, Health Systems Phenomenon,(Spring Quarter) | 3 | |
| CHS 740, Biomedical Ethics and Health Law in the Clinical health sciences(Spring Quarter) | 3 | |
| CHS 705, Research Methods II (Summer Quarter) | 3 | |
| Total | 24 | |
*Time offered is subject to change based on availability of number of students and resources
II. Track Core Courses
After successful completion of the core courses (with a GPA of 3.0 or better), and successfully passing the comprehensive exam (see below), students will then proceed into their specific area of concentration. Within the CHS graduate program, there are three track areas of specialty: Health System, informatics and Clinical Lab Sciences Tracks. Students in health systems and clinical lab tracks must take a minimum of 15 hours of courses listed in Table 3. Informatics track courses are listed elsewhere (contact the program for more details).
Table 3: Track Required Courses
(Students must select a minimum of five courses or 15 hours)
| Health Systems (All Courses are 3 Credit Hours) |
Clinical Lab Sciences (All Courses are 3 Credit Hours) |
| CHS 702-2, Clinical Decision Making (Statistics III), (spring) |
CHS 624-1/724-1, Pharmacological Considerations in Health Practice (spring) CHS 624-2/724-2, Pharmacological Considerations in Health Practice (TBA) CHS 641/741, Medical Sociology (fall) |
| CHS 650/750-1, Management I (TBA) | CHS 628/728, Histopathology (fall) |
| CHS 650/750-2, Management II (TBA) | CHS 764, Biostatistical Computer Applications in Health Care (summer) |
| CHS 609-1/709-1, Qualitative Research Designs (summer) | CHS 620-2/720-2, Essentials of Pathophysiology II (Winter) |
| CHS 609-1/709-2, Qualitative Research Designs (TBA) | CHS 763, Alternative Complimentary Therapies (spring) |
| CHS 763, Alternative Complimentary Therapies (spring) | CHS 721, Advanced Pathophysiology (summer) |
| CHS 641/741, Medical Sociology (fall) | CHS 702-2, Clinical Decision Making (Statistics III), (spring) |
*Time offered is subject to change based on availability of resources
Students must select a minimum of five classes in their specified track of study. Doctoral Students must have a total 55 hours course work in which at least a total of 40 hours must be in the major field of study and 15 hours in related courses may be accepted.
III. Electives: A minimum of 16 Hours of course work must be completed beyond the track required courses. The chair and members of advisory committee may advise the students regarding the appropriate courses needed that will lead to enhancing the student’s background as well as equipping the students with multitask skills.
Additional information can be found in the UMC Bulletin and also can be provided upon request.