Best institutions to study Clinical and Translational Science
A program of study that prepares clinicians to direct a broad range of scientific or clinical or translational studies, translate scientific knowledge into clinical practice, and bridge clinical science with laboratory investigations.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 90 Clinical and Translational Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1402, a specialization of Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (CIP 51.14), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Clinical and Translational Science programs
A program of study that prepares clinicians to direct a broad range of scientific or clinical or translational studies, translate scientific knowledge into clinical practice, and bridge clinical science with laboratory investigations. Includes instruction in bioinformatics, Information technology, biostatistics, epidemiology, grant writing, management and analysis of clinical data, clinical and translational research law and policy, responsible conduct of research, and scientific writing.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Clinical and Translational Science program prepares students to lead scientific and clinical studies, translating research into practical applications in healthcare. It is designed for individuals interested in bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical practice, equipping them with the necessary skills to make significant contributions to medical science. This program falls under the broader category of Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in areas such as bioinformatics, biostatistics, epidemiology, and scientific writing. Core coursework emphasizes critical thinking, data management, and the responsible conduct of research, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the challenges of clinical and translational research.
Credentials awarded
What Clinical and Translational Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree43 graduates / yr · 9 institutions48%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship24 graduates / yr · 8 institutions27%
- Bachelor's degree11 graduates / yr · 1 institution12%
- Post-master's certificate7 graduates / yr · 1 institution7.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 3 institutions5.6%
Graduates over time
Clinical and Translational Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2022 | 48 |
| 2023 | 48 |
| 2024 | 79 |
| 2025 | 90 |
CIP 51.1402 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 16 institutions for Clinical and Translational Science, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | — | — |
| 2 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 15 | — | — |
| 3 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 85% | $25,874 |
| 4 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 84% | $29,789 |
| 5 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 89% | $20,914 |
| 6 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | — | — |
| 7 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 5 | 71% | — |
| 8 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 5 | 87% | $27,976 |
| 9 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 92% | $26,873 |
| 10 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OKPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 4 | — | — |
| 11 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicDoctoral | 3 | 53% | — |
| 12 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicDoctoral | 2 | 89% | — |
| 13 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicDoctoral | 2 | 79% | — |
| 14 | Keck Graduate Institute Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | — | — |
| 15 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 96% | $27,025 |
| 16 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 96% | $13,333 |
Offered in 11 states
Where Clinical and Translational Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 4 | 26 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio15 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 26 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine15 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 8 | George Washington University8 / yr |
| California | 2 | 6 | University of Southern California4 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 6 | Wake Forest University6 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 5 | University of Kentucky5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 5 | Case Western Reserve University5 / yr |
| Oklahoma | 1 | 4 | University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center4 / yr |
| Vermont | 1 | 2 | University of Vermont2 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 1 | Yale University1 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | University of Chicago1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Clinical and Translational Science program often pursue careers as Medical Scientists, with a much faster than average job growth rate of 8.7%. The field offers approximately 9,600 annual openings and a median wage of $100,590, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1402
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsprimary SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Clinical and Translational Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
Tools and technology used
Other Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (CIP 51.14).
- Medical Science/CIP 51.1401
Scientist 1,070 graduates / yr69 institutions - Medical Clinical Sciences/CIP 51.1499
Graduate Medical Studies partial data53 graduates / yr6 institutions - Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial PainCIP 51.1404partial data6 graduates / yr3 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Pain Management51.1403
- Tropical Medicine51.1405
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Doctor's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, science, and active learning.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with 8.7% growth expected.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Medical Scientist, among other roles in the health professions.
What is the CIP code for Clinical and Translational Science?+
Clinical and Translational Science is CIP 51.1402 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (CIP 51.14). NCES defines it as: A program of study that prepares clinicians to direct a broad range of scientific or clinical or translational studies, translate scientific knowledge into clinical practice, and bridge clinical science with laboratory investigations. Includes instruction in bioinformatics, Information technology, biostatistics, epidemiology, grant writing, management and analysis of clinical data, clinical and translational research law and policy, responsible conduct of research, and scientific writing.
How many institutions offer Clinical and Translational Science programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Clinical and Translational Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 11 states, awarding 90 credentials in the year. That is 7.4% of all Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies graduates.
How much do Clinical and Translational Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Clinical and Translational Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $103,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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