Degree Program

The fellow will participate in a training program in research design. The program in which the fellow will participate is at the discretion of the Program Director, in consultation with the fellow.

Degree Programs at the University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health

The fellow may enroll as a candidate for the degree of Master of Science in Epidemiology. This program offers detailed training in research methodology; this is the primary objective of the degree program.

Degree Requirements for the MS-Epidemiology

  1. Course work (36 hours) in Epidemiology, Biometry, and a minor field, usually one related to the thesis topic, for example, a clinical discipline or behavioral science
  2. Satisfactory completion of a thesis or a project in a form suitable for publication in a professional journal, which demonstrates an understanding of Epidemiology and Biometry, and the ability to do Epidemiological research

The Program Director will discuss with the fellow an alternative degree, the MPH.

Degree Requirements for the MPH

  1. Satisfactory completion of a prescribed course of study of at least one academic year, a minimum of 45 credit hours, and demonstration of a breadth of knowledge in the areas basic to public health
  2. Satisfactory completion of a research thesis that demonstrates a substantial knowledge of an aspect of public health, including clinical studies. If appropriate the thesis may be in a form suitable for publication in a professional journal

Another possibility is a degree program at the Medical School, namely the Master of Science in Clinical Research (MS-CR)

Degree Requirements for the Master of Science in Clinical Research (MS-CR)

Degree requirements for the MS-CR include course work in epidemiology, biostatistics, and research design; practical experiences in scientific writing and presentation of research; and a thesis that may be a literature review or a research proposal.

Whichever program the fellow joins, she/he will conduct a carefully designed and mentored research project under the direction of the Program Director and other faculty from the Medical School and/or the School of Public Health.

Distribution of Time

  1. Fifty percent of time will be spent in course work related to epidemiology, biostatistics, and research design; in planning and executing one or more research projects; and in a variety of didactic experiences concerning research, teaching, clinical work, and academic development
  2. Fifty percent of time will be spent in direct patient care and teaching activities, and in training in clinical, teaching, and administrative skills, as described in Section III. The clinical work emphasizes out-patient experiences in community-based facilities

Continuation of the Program

Continuation in the program is contingent on satisfactory performance in the clinical aspects of the program; on the fellow’s passing the Board examination in his or her specialty before or during the first year of the fellowship (time will be allotted for study); and the fellow’s satisfactory performance in the degree program (receipt of a passing grade in all courses).