Patient Oriented Research

Despite the advances of the last two decades in the basic sciences, clinical and translational investigation—and the clinical and translational investigator—remain cornerstones of patient-oriented research. In response to calls from the National Institutes of Health for improved training of clinical and translational researchers in academic medicine, Columbia launched the MS in Patient-Oriented Research (MS-POR) program in 1999, a formal, joint endeavor between the schools of public health, medicine, nursing, dentistry, and the arts and sciences.

The MS-POR prepares young researchers for independent careers as clinical scientists—and to compete more effectively for research funding—through training in the fundamentals of clinical investigation. The two-year, 30-credit master’s degree program is comprised of an interdisciplinary series of courses and colloquia, some of which were developed exclusively for thev MS-POR program. The curriculum emphasizes strong quantitative training as well as critical thinking skills and practical strategies for addressing the complex challenges of clinical research.

Patient-Oriented Research Competencies

In addition to achieving the core competencies of the MS programs offered by the Department of Biostatistics, MS-POR graduates will be able to:

Data Analysis and Computing

• Apply the basic tenets of research design and analysis for the purpose of critically reviewing research and programs in disciplines outside of biostatistics;
• Differentiate between quantitative problems that can be addressed with standard methods and those requiring input from a professional biostatistician; and

Public Health and Collaborative Research

• Discuss basic laboratory methods commonly used in patient-oriented research.

Columbia University Medical Center is steeped in a rich tradition of clinical investigation and a strong institutional commitment to the study of human disease. We teach the methods that lead to results and improved health for all

 Founding Director, Melissa D. Begg, ScD

Admission Criteria

The MS-POR program is open to applicants with the following doctoral degrees: MD, DDS, DMD, DO, DC, ND, or DNSc. Applicants with PhDs who want to become involved in clinical research may also be eligible. Candidates from a wide range of clinical and translational research fields and specialty areas are encouraged to apply, although all candidates must be engaged in either direct care of or research with patients.

Applications are due by April 1st* of each calendar year, to begin studies the following July. Admissions and scholarship award decisions are made in the first week of May. In addition to the School-wide application, POR candidates must also submit:

• A statement of support from the program director confirming that if accepted to the program, the candidate will continue to receive salary support during the program's two-year duration and will be permitted to attend the CSRI (Columbia Summer Research Institute) program.

One of the applicant's 3 letters of reference must come from his/her direct supervisor. This letter must confirm that if accepted to the program:

1. The candidate will continue to receive salary support during the two years that he/she will be enrolled in the training program; and
2. The candidate must be permitted to attend classes for 8 weeks during the first summer of study in order to participate in the CSRI (Columbia Summer Research Institute) program and be allowed to take courses for up to 7-9 hours per week during subsequent semesters. 

Scholarships and Funding Opportunities

A limited number of partial tuition scholarships, generously provided by the CUIMC Clinical Trials Office and the Mailman School of Public Health, are available to highly qualified candidates.* During the admissions review, the MS-POR executive committee recommends applicants for scholarships who have demonstrated:

• Promise in clinical and translational research
• Superior academic transcripts
• Prior involvement in clinical research projects
• Strong letters of reference
• A record of publication

*To be considered for an MS-POR Scholarship, applications must be received by April 1.

Learn More

View competencies, course requirements, sample schedules, and more in our Academics section. 

CONTACTS

 biostats@cumc.columbia.edu

Todd Ogden, PhD
Director of the MS-POR Program

As part of Patient-Oriented Research training, each student is required to complete a Master’s essay consisting of the construction of an NIH-style grant application, considered one of the cornerstones of the MS-POR program.  students are supervised by a Project Sponsor from biostatistics and by a Clinical Mentor from his or her own clinical field. In the fall term of year 2, each student will submit a research grant proposal, following NIH guidelines for applications. Each proposal will be reviewed by the program leaders, followed by a formal presentation to the POR Advisory Board.

The program may be completed in just under two years. Courses are generally scheduled with the clinicians' limited time in mind. Many classes are scheduled in the mid-to-late afternoon, and we try to keep it down to three partial days per week in school.

Students begin the program by completing 10 of the 30 required credits by participating in the Columbia Summer Research Institute (CSRI). The CSRI is an intensive 8-week program in research design and statistical analysis and requires a full-time commitment for the duration of the program.

A survey of program graduates indicates that the program requires 12-20 hours per week on average, including lectures, readings, and homework.

While the POR program is considered part-time, some semesters, just like some courses, are heavier than others. Applicants can expect to carry as little as three and up to eleven credits per semester, depending on how they sketch out their requirements.

The Patient-Oriented Research (POR) training program produces effective, successful, and competitive clinical and translational investigators. Students are trained in the design, conduct, and evaluation of clinical and translational research studies, with close supervision and support from the program's directors. With expert guidance, each POR student will craft a research proposal that will be carefully assessed by faculty and peers in the program. In addition to gaining better skills, successful students will leave the program with a Master of Science degree in Biostatistics - Patient-Oriented Research Track (for those starting the program in 2009 or earlier) or a Master of Science degree in Patient-Oriented Research (for those starting in 2010 or later), a valued credential on curriculum vitae.

The POR curriculum consists of 30 credits in total, including required and elective coursework. Through specially focused coursework and a supervised Master’s essay, candidates for MS-POR will receive formal training in the following areas:

• Design of clinical research studies
• Laboratory methods for measurement of clinical indicators
• Conduct of observational & randomized studies
• Applied statistical methods
• Standards for scientific conduct
• The pursuit of research funding
• A critical review of the literature
• Use of software packages for data management & analysis 

While the curriculum is designed to provide an introduction to a broad array of topics, candidates are free to choose two or more elective courses during their training period, thereby affording them the opportunity to develop expertise in a particular specialty area (e.g., quantitative, translational, or epidemiologic methods).

Required Courses

The required courses are listed below.

Interdisciplinary Core Requirements

Restricted Electives (Selectives)

In addition to the 11 courses listed above, students are required to take at least two of the following courses of which at least one course has to be from the Biostatistics and Epidemiology list. Other courses related to precision medicine, statistical genetics, molecular biology mechanisms, data and computing, dissemination/implementation, biostatistics, or epidemiology may count towards fulfilling the selective requirement as long as they are approved in advance by the MS/POR Advisory Committee. 

Electives:

Elective Courses. Students will choose elective courses from one or more of the following: 

• Departments of Epidemiology or Biostatistics, or other departments at the School of Public Health 

• From the list of restricted electives (selectives) – see above 

• Elective courses from other Columbia schools – see list below 

Electives in Clinical and Translational Research outside of Mailman School of Public Health

Sample Timeline

Candidates for the MS-POR degree must complete all program requirements (30 credits) within 2 calendar years, taking 2-4 courses per term. Coursework commences during the summer term of the first year of study. To become a POR Scholar, you MUST be able to start the program in JULY of year one.

Students begin the POR program by participating in the Columbia Summer Research Institute, an intensive 8-week summer program. CSRI participants earn 10 credits over 8 weeks, completing two introductory-level required courses (epidemiology and biostatistics) and four mini-electives (NIH grant writing, development of clinical guidelines, health disparities research, and decision/cost-effectiveness analysis).

Note: Course schedules change from year to year, so that class days/times in future years may differ from the sample schedule below. While we work very hard to ensure clinicians are not in class for more than three partial days per week, we do not offer classes at night or on weekends. Many required classes are offered in the mid-to-late afternoon.

Our Students

 Women and men are admitted in about equal proportions.

There is broad representation from a number of race/ethnic groups (self-identified).

Outcomes

Thirty-five of the 48 (73%) have successfully completed all program requirements and have graduated. Another 13 are actively working towards completion of their degrees. All are employed in research positions, with approximately 94% holding academic appointments, and the rest in private research foundations and the pharmaceutical industry.

In the short time since the program launched its first graduates in 2001, 12 POR Scholars out of 48 (25%) have succeeded in obtaining independent grant awards (both career and research awards) from the NIH. In addition to success in garnering NIH funding, several have secured peer-reviewed awards from private foundations and the corporate sector. Overall, approximately 33% of POR Scholars have succeeded in obtaining independent research funding over the past five years.