Admissions Process 

The following qualifications are required:

  • An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (equal to a letter grade of B) 
  • For scholars who are primarily based in other training programs at UCSF, supervisor's assurance that at least 70% of time will be available August through May to divide between the activities of this program and the conduct of the trainee's clinical research projects
  • Affirmation of the Professional Conduct Statement (signed during orientation)

Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated knowledge or experience in some aspect of a health-related field (e.g., clinical practice, public health, health promotion) by virtue of a graduate or professional doctoral degree (MD, DDS, PharmD, PhD or international equivalent), being currently enrolled in such a program or relevant work experience. Although not required, this prior knowledge or experience is preferred because program scholars will be required to perform original research in an area of their choosing to fulfill graduation requirements. Prior substantive knowledge or experience in a health-related field can be very helpful in identifying a research area of interest and in maintaining motivation for the work.

UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the admissions process.

How to Apply

Applicants can begin submitting their applications on November 1, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and admission decisions are typically made within six weeks. Early application is particularly encouraged for applicants originating outside of the San Francisco Bay Area who may require housing or travel visas.  

For general questions, please contact [email protected].  If you are considering enrollment in the program but have concerns about scheduling, time constraints, or parental leave, please contact [email protected] to discuss potential options. 

UCSF Graduate Division online application

  • Applicants will be asked for 3 referees on the graduate division application. Referees will be asked to complete an evaluation form and submit their letter online.
  • Applicants will need to provide transcript copies for review purposes.  Upon acceptance to our program, official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school should be submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. E-Transcripts are highly encouraged and can be sent to [email protected].  We do not accept transcripts submitted by the student.  Mailing address for hardcopy transcripts is available upon request.  

ATCR Scholars
Scholars who are enrolled in or have graduated from the Advanced Training in Clinical Research Credit-bearing Certificate Program may submit updated versions of their original ATCR Program applications. Such scholars must still provide one new or updated letter of recommendation for the Master's Degree Program application. Scholars who graduated from the ATCR Credit-bearing Certificate Program more than two years before applying to the Master’s Degree Program should talk to program officials about which courses might have to be re-taken (because they have evolved substantially since the scholar took them). Such scholars will also be subject to a $500 re-entry fee.  

International Applicants 

The Master's in Clinical & Epidemiologic Research program welcomes applications from international scholars who meet the prerequisites, but the program does not directly provide any financial aid. In addition to meeting the admission requirements above, international scholars will need to demonstrate English proficiency and provide verification of their transcripts.  For the most current information on requirements for international students, please visit the graduate division website at:  International Admissions Requirements

Interviews:

Selected applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee or its designate.

Upon acceptance to the program:

Admitted students are required to have a mentor by the first day of the program (July 13, 2026).  Admitted students from outside of UCSF are encouraged to identify and contact UCSF research mentors on their own or may request assistance from the Training in Clinical Research Program to help them identify a research mentor.    Students can find potential mentors by:

  1. Searching our Department faculty database: Faculty | Epidemiology & Biostatistics (ucsf.edu)

  2. Searching the UCSF Profiles page:  https://profiles.ucsf.edu/  

Admitted students from within UCSF typically use their PI, program director, or fellowship director as their mentor.  No new mentor needs to be identified.  

Enrollment Deposit:

Beginning Fall 2025, all successful non-UC-affiliated applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable $1000 deposit to hold their enrollment spot.  This $1000 will be applied towards the total fees upon enrollment.