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Doctor of Medicine & Master of Science in Clinical Research

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Program Overview

The Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Research (M.D., MSCR) program prepares physicians to participate in clinical research and advance new knowledge. This five-year combined program provides currently enrolled medical students with the opportunity to acquire core competencies in clinical research. Students can complete the prescribed course of study for the MSCR degree in a concentrated/full-time option or a blended/part-time option. Click here (PDF) to see the program eligibility, application, curriculum, tuition and financial aid information.

99% 5-year match rate

765 Total enrollment – College of Medicine
80+ Student organizations at MUSC
91% Students participating in research with faculty

Success you can measure

From national recognition to student satisfaction and real-world results, these numbers reflect the value and impact waiting for you in our program.

Learning Experience

Build the knowledge, clinical skills and professional identity needed to care for patients, prepare for residency training and conduct clinical research.

Curriculum

The Doctor of Medicine and Master of Science in Clinical Research curriculum consists of 271 credits and is designed to be completed in 14 semesters. Below is the standard plan of study outlining the structured progression of coursework as you advance through the program.

Year 1, Fall

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR711 Clinical Skills I 3
MDCOR720 Foundations of Health 8
MDCOR722 Foundations of Disease 9
MDCOR736 Autoimmunity and Hematology 8
IP711 IP Foundations & TeamSTEPPS 1
Semester Total 29

Year 1, Spring

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR712 Clinical Skills II 3
MDCOR727 Gastrointestinal I 5
MDCOR725 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Renal Systems 16
IP### IP Concentration Course 1
Semester Total 25

Year 1, Summer

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR713 Clinical Skills III 3
MDCOR731 Reproductive/Endocrine System 8
MDCOR735 Ethics and Biostatistics 3.5
MDCOR728 Gastrointestinal II 5
Semester Total 19.5

Year 2, Fall

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR714 Clinical Skills IV 3
MDCOR739 Musculoskeletal 8
MDCOR741 Central Nervous System 13
MDCOR742 Cognition and Behavioral Health 4.5
Semester Total 28.5

Year 2, Spring

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR750 USMLE Step 1 Board Review 2
MDCOR866 Transition to Clinical Medicine 1
Semester Total 3

Year 2, Summer

Course ID Course Title Credits
CLRK Clerkship* (6-weeks) 12
CLRK Clerkship* (6-weeks) 12
Semester Total 24

Year 3, Fall

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR853 Ethics in Clinical Care 3A 1
MDCOR827 Geriatric Medicine 3A 0.5
MDCOR835 Topics in Clinical Medicine 1
CLRK Clerkship* (8-weeks) 10
SLCT Selective (2-weeks) 2.5
SLCT Selective (2-weeks) 2.5
Semester Total 17.5

Year 3, Spring

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR854 Ethics in Clinical Care 3B 1
MDCOR873 Geriatric Medicine 3B 0.5
CLRK Clerkship* (6-weeks) 8
CLRK Clerkship* (6-weeks) 8
CLRK Clerkship* (6-weeks) 8
Semester Total 25.5

Year 3, Summer

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR865 Clinical Competency Exam 3 1
Semester Total 1

Year 4, Fall

Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR700 Clinical Biostatistics 3
MCR775 Clinical Research Training 1
MCR736 Clinical Epidemiology 3
MCR770 Contemporary Topics Seminar 1
MCR750 Ethical Issues in Clinical Reserach 1
MCR970 Research 2
MCR731 Critical Review 2
Semester Total 13

Year 4, Spring

Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR724 Introduction to Clinical Trials 3
MCR746 Informatics and Data Management 2
MCR752 Team Science in Clinical Research 1
MCR771 Regression Analysis 2
MCR777 Introduction to Grant Writing 1
MCR732 Comparative Effectiveness Reseach 3
MCR970 Research 3
Semester Total 15

Year 4, Summer

Course ID Course Title Credits
MCR789,
IP738 		Core Clinical Research Training, or
Seminars in Research Ethics 		1
MCR772 Community Engagement Research 1
MCR773 Industry/Regulatory 2
MCR774 Leadership 2
MCR970 Research 4
ELEC Clinical Care Elective (4-weeks) 5
XTRN Externship (4-weeks) 5
Semester Total 20

Year 5, Fall

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR859 Ethics in Clinical Care 4A 1
EMED822 Essentials of Emergency Medicine 2.5
ELEC Electivs (20-weeks) 15
Semester Total 18.5

Year 5, Spring

Course ID Course Title Credits
MDCOR862 Ethics in Clinical Care 4B 1
MDCOR874 Geriatric Medicine 4 1
MDCOR626 Internship 101 2.5
ELEC Electives (12-weeks) 15
Semester Total 19.5
MD Credit Hour Total 233
MSCR Credit Hour Total 38
Curriculum Total 271

* All third-year students are required to take seven clerkships in the following disciplines. These clerkships may be completed in any sequence over Summer, Fall and Spring of Year 3.

  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine
  • OB/GYN
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Surgery

With approval from the academic advisor, a student who enrolls in the combined degree program in the spring semester of year one of medical school (i.e., the earliest entry point) could be permitted to complete MSCR coursework concurrently with the MD degree curriculum (38 credit hours completed over 11 semesters). While the majority of the MSCR curriculum is still completed in year 4 (fall, spring), this curriculum plan provides advantages for students who wish to engage in research earlier in the program in order to increase competitiveness for application to residency programs.

Funding your path forward

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees listed below apply to the 2026-27 academic year and are per semester unless otherwise noted.

Fee Type Fee
Application Fee (per application) $95
Matriculation Fee (upon applicant acceptance) $485

Year 1

Tuition/Fee Type Fall Spring Summer
In-State Tuition $12,886 $12,886 $12,886
Out-of-State Tuition $22,591 $22,591 $22,591
Basic Life Support Training Fee $65 - -
Examination and Technology Support Fee $1,157 - -
Gross Anatomy Lab Fee $950 - -
Student Disability Insurance Fee $79 - -

Year 2

Tuition/Fee Type Fall Spring Summer
In-State Tuition $12,886 $12,886 $12,886
Out-of-State Tuition $22,591 $22,591 $22,591
Examination and Technology Support Fee $695 - -
Rotation Credentialing Fee $85 - -
Student Disability Insurance Fee $79 - -

Year 3

Tuition/Fee Type Fall Spring Summer
In-State Tuition $14,533 $14,533 $14,533
Out-of-State Tuition $24,000 $24,000 $24,000
Examination and Technology Support Fee $488 - -
Student Disability Insurance Fee $79 - -

Year 4

Tuition/Fee Type Fall Spring Summer
Combined Degree Program Fee (upon enrollment in the first MSCR course) $20,661 - -
Student Disability Insurance Fee $79 - -

Year 5

Tuition/Fee Type Fall Spring Summer
In-State Tuition $14,122 $14,122 -
Out-of-State Tuition $25,826 $25,826 -
Composite Fee $34 - -
Examination and Technology Support Fee $118 - -
Student Disability Insurance Fee $79 - -

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance, or COA, estimates the total educational expenses for an enrollment period. The information below reflects the 2026-27 academic year. The COA includes direct costs, such as tuition and fees, billed by the university, as well as indirect costs you may need to plan for, including housing, food, transportation, books and other personal expenses.

The COA helps determine the maximum amount a student may borrow in an academic year and supports funding-related determinations, such as grants, scholarships, loans and others.

Your actual expenses may be lower than the COA, especially with careful budgeting. MUSC's Office of Student Financial Literacy can help you create a budget that supports your education, personal needs and long-term financial goals.

Standard

Item Year 4 Year 5
Direct Costs
In-State Tuition - $28,244
Out-of-State Tuition - $51,652
Health Insurance $4,000 $4,000
Fees $21,040 $531
In-State Total Direct Costs $25,040 $32,775
Out-of-State Total Direct Costs $25,040 $56,183
Indirect Costs
Living Expenses (Food and Housing) $27,144 $18,096
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $2,880 $1,920
Transportation $3,240 $2,160
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $5,360 $4,460
Total Indirect Costs $38,624 $26,636
Estimated Total Costs 
In-State Total Costs $63,664 $59,411
Out-of-State Total Costs $63,664 $82,819

Summer

Item Year 5
Direct Costs
In-State Tuition -
Out-of-State Tuition -
Health Insurance $4,000
Fees $21,040
In-State Total Direct Costs $25,040
Out-of-State Total Direct Costs $25,040
Indirect Costs
Living Expenses (Food and Housing) $27,144
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $2,880
Transportation $3,240
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $5,360
Total Indirect Costs $38,624
Estimated Total Costs 
In-State Total Costs $63,664
Out-of-State Total Costs $63,664

Scholarships & Aid

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means that these scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list the Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the fall.

View scholarship opportunities