Dual Degree Program – DMD and Master’s in Clinical Research
Purpose
The objective for the five year joint DMD and Masters in clinical research training (DMD-MCRT) at Case School of Dental Medicine is to train dentist scholars for an academic career and bringing scientific advances to solving clinical problems. As part of this goal is the training in clinical research so that the dental graduate may promote progress in biomedical research and develop innovative and effective strategies to take care of the oral health needs of the population.
Description of the Proposed Curriculum
The proposed dual degree curriculum is for five years.
D.M.D. Curriculum: The DMD degree requires 141.5 credit hours that include didactic, laboratory, and clinical work. The overall DMD curriculum will not change as part of this joint program. Some components of the dental curriculum are equivalent to clinical research material that is taught in graduate M.S. programs. Thus a total of 6 credits of the DMD curriculum (Health Science and Society, Cariology, Evidence based dentistry, Outreach preventive dentistry) will be used as graded credits towards the Master’s portion of the combined DMD/MS program.
M.S. Curriculum: The student will earn the type A (thesis option) administered by the Clinical Research Scholars Program (CRSP) of the School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Studies. This is a 36 credit Masters in Clinical Research. The proposed program will consist of:
- Core curriculum (15 graded hours),
- DMD coursework (6 graded credits),
- At least one elective (3-6 graded credits),
- Research work culminating in a thesis project (9-12 non-graded credits),
- Participation in a seminar series.
A full year of research is a requirement. The student will be required to take one year off between the 2nd and 3rd DMD year for fulfillment of the Master’s program. The core curriculum should be completed between the 1st and the 3rd year of the DMD curriculum. Graduation from the program requires completion of the DMD curriculum and the proposed Masters curriculum described above. A successful passing of the oral defense of the Master’s research thesis is required.
Admissions to the Program
Students who wish to join the DMD/MS program may contact Dr. Suchitra Nelson, Ph.D, Director of the Training Program at 368-2833 or email dmd-mcrt@case.edu.
Tuition and Stipend support for the Program
Students will receive one year of tuition support (approximately $21,000), stipend support ($20,772), and health insurance for the one year taken off to pursue the Master’s degree.