Clinical Research

The Master of Science in Clinical Research degree, offered in partnership with the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research and the University of Iowa College of Public Health, is intended to train doctors of chiropractic for careers as clinical scientists.

Length:

36 credit hours in two academic years (six trimesters)

Program:

• Coordinated core curriculum—to provide the fundamentals to become a productive clinical scientist
• Advanced focus areas—to develop a research specialty in:
  • experimental clinical research
  • clinical biomechanics
  • clinical neuroscience
• Seminar series—to promote a research culture
• Practicum—to provide opportunities to participate in federally funded clinical trials and prepare scholarly works

The central strength of our program is that it synthesizes chiropractic principles and practice with the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting high-level clinical research.

The clinical research program is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Curriculum:

• Core curriculum:
  • clinical research methods
  • bioethics
  • survey of chiropractic research
  • scientific writing
  • presentation skills
  • research proposal development
  • collaboration and team building
  • grant writing
  • principles of epidemiology
  • statistical computing & data management
  • statistical graphics
  • biostatistical methods
• Advanced focus area courses:
  • clinical epidemiology
  • outcomes research
  • clinical trials
  • clinical biomechanics
  • ergonomics
  • clinical neuroscience: vertebral proprioception
  • clinical neuroscience: mechanisms of back pain
  • special topics
• Seminar series
• Clinical research practicum

Financial Aid:

• Stipends and fellowships available on a competitive basis

Application Timeline:

Applications are now being accepted for November enrollment. Early application is recommended. Final deadline is Aug. 1.

Facilities:

Graduate clinical research offices with computers, classrooms and labs are located in the newly expanded and renovated William and Jo Harris Building, a five-story facility dedicated to the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research. Renovation funds included a grant from the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

• Shared research facilities:
  • research library
  • graphic production lab
  • protected data storage
• Extensive research clinic and labs:
  • research clinic:
    • radiology
    • rehabilitation and kinesiology labs
    • bioengineering labs

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