Clinical Science Degree Programs

Clinical science is a branch of medical science that ensures the effectiveness and safety of medicines and medical products. It then determines the treatment pattern and regimen of these products. Students of clinical science programs are trained to create new drugs and medical products through extensive research and determine their usefulness and safety for the end-user. This interdisciplinary field involves subjects like chemistry, biology, and experimental science and can be said to be essentially rooted in the principles of medicine. Candidates who take up a degree in clinical science must work extensively in laboratories where they will collect and analyze bodily fluids, cells, and even blood.

Benefits of Learning Clinical Science

Career Opportunities: Since this field of study is rooted in the health sector, candidates who take up a course in this field will find that there will never be a shortage of career opportunities. From getting a job after graduation to doing extensive research in the subject, the students of clinical science have multiple options spread across for them to choose from.

Good Salary: People who work in the career demarcation of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians after studying a course in this field should receive a median salary of $56,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job outlook for careers in this sector is also estimated to grow 7 percent between 2019 and 2029, higher than the national average for most other professions.

Professional Advancement: Apart from the professions that candidates can do within the sector, they will also be able to enter the field of research where their services will be valued better. They will be able to be a professor in the subject or remain a medical scientist depending on their level of education and experience in the field.

Specializations under Clinical Sciences

The most common specializations offered under clinical sciences are-

• Drug Development
• Global Health
• Health Informatics
• Behavioral Science
• Patient Management

Diploma in Clinical Sciences

Many universities offer short-duration (average of one year) diploma programs in clinical science. These programs are often restricted to specializations in one particular field. BS or MS students with a degree in clinical science are usually preferred for these programs. However, some universities have opened doors to professionals who do not possess a clinical science degree but have the required hours as clinical laboratory scientists.

Undergraduate Programs in Clinical Science

A Bachelor of Science in Clinical Science program is designed for undergraduate students seeking an advanced study program in medicine, science, medical business, dentistry, and clinical research. This program is mostly offered as a four-year graduation plan. It offers undergraduate students a patient-centric education and experience in testing specimens within legal and ethical limits to understand a variety of illnesses. Students are trained in chemical and biological principles and their available interpretation through laboratory findings.

In the first three years, students are trained in microbiology, organic chemistry, pre-calculus, biology, general chemistry, immunology, genetics, and statistics. Earning a good score during these years makes them eligible to enter the final or clinical year of study before graduating. The aggregated tuition fee for a semester can range between $6,000 and $50,000.

Admission Requirements for BS in Clinical Science

The eligibility requirements for doing a BS in Clinical Science can vary from institution to institution and also from the specialization the candidate wishes to take eventually. Despite this uncertainty, there are a few basic requirements all colleges/universities will state. These requirements are-

• GPA of 2.5 or above
• SAT Score
• Transcripts
• Letters of Recommendation

Graduate Programs in Clinical Science

A Master of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science is best suited for those looking at career options like laboratory scientists, researchers, teachers, and also those who wish to be part of the management of a clinical science institution. Some universities also offer specialized master's programs in clinical sciences for those interested in specializing in blood banking. With various modules, graduates need to make informed decisions when selecting their field of specialization in clinical science.

The course covers subjects such as biostatistics, epidemiology, therapy, etc. It will last two years and have a credit requirement of 36-40, depending on the university the candidate is applying to.

Accreditation Requirement for MS in Clinical Science

Getting into a college with the necessary accreditation is more important for aspiring candidates than finding their choice of specialization. The kind of accreditation the college has will help people understand the level of skills the candidate must have learned during the course. Institutions can have six regional accreditations. However, the most popular accreditation that universities like the University of California, Berkeley, have is that of the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System.

Admission Requirements for MS in Clinical Sciences

Though the eligibility requirements for a master’s program in clinical science can vary from institution to institution, all universities have a few basic requirements. These requirements are similar to the general requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the same subject. The requirements include-

• Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Science
• GPA above 3
• Pre-Requisite Course Credits
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts

Ph.D. in Clinical Science

Candidates who wish to enter the field of research will be able to do so extensively due to the evolving nature of the field. Doctoral students can choose an area of research in health services, health information technology, or clinical investigations according to their specialization in undergrad. They are mentored by professors who can understand the evolving environment of healthcare and relate the findings of biostatistics.

A Ph.D. program is best suited for those who wish to pursue a career in extensive clinical research, set up a clinical research-based business, or teach. Candidates will be required to submit a thesis after completing the necessary coursework. They will also be expected to participate in seminars, presentations, and the like during the 4-5 year duration of the course.

There is a growing demand for clinical scientists, with career opportunities in this industry rising at 13% per annum, thus making clinical science studies a lucrative education option.

Content Taught in Clinical Sciences

Irrespective of the level of study the candidate is doing in clinical science, they will deal with certain core concepts under the subject. Due to the vastness of the field, most universities offer deeper courses with different specializations from which candidates can choose what they want to work.

The students pursuing a degree in Clinical Research will be enriched in topics like:

• Performing research on humans and animals within well-defined legal and ethical limits
• Interpreting findings and applying them logically
• Identifying and measuring outcomes
• Conducting researches
• Publishing research reports

A clinical science degree understands the industry's challenges and hence trains its students in leadership skills as well. This is because professionals armed with a degree in clinical science are often expected to work as team managers and develop clinical research strategies.

Career Prospects

Holding a master's in clinical research opens up many interesting career options. Students can carve a niche for themselves as drug developers, scientists involved in medical treatment experiments, contract researchers for medical organizations, and even clinical data managers, to name a few. A master’s degree in the subject will let them take their career up a notch due to the research content involved in the curriculum.

Studies have shown that a senior clinical research associate earns a median annual salary of $80,000, while a clinical laboratory scientist earns around $65,000. A master’s degree ensures that the graduate earns at least 5% more than his only-graduate counterpart. Students graduating with a degree in clinical science can carve careers for themselves in research, the healthcare sector, and the biomedical industry. Many are offered research-based jobs in clinical laboratories, hospitals, and the armed forces.