The Department of Behavioral Science in the College of Medicine, in affiliation with the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science, offers a Ph.D. program in Clinical and Translational Science (CTS). The academic discipline focuses on acceleration of the translation of basic science advances to tangible improvements in public health. This interdisciplinary program is designed to expand research career opportunities for exceptional professionals with terminal professional health care degrees (e.g., physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, public health professionals). Students enrolled in the MD/PhD Program are also eligible for admission.
The primary emphasis of the program is mentored research training to permit scholars to create well-reasoned original research contributions to the discovery of clinical health knowledge and its application. An interdisciplinary PhD Advisory Committee will play a prominent role in coordinating the individualized curriculum, research training and career development of the scholars in the program, based on scholar interest and background. A major professor (i.e., primary mentor), with the support of the Advisory Committee, will oversee research training and career development. A minimum of one faculty member in the Department of Behavioral Science who is a full member of the graduate faculty will serve as a primary or co-mentor. Other members of the Advisory Committee will be selected based on their abilities to support elements of the interdisciplinary research interests and career trajectories of the scholar, regardless of departmental affiliation.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program is generally limited to 1) applicants with terminal health professional degrees with appropriate domestic licensure to practice and 2) students in the MD/PhD Program. Other students may apply to the program with consent of the Director of Graduate Studies.
Admission to the PhD in CTS program is through the Department of Behavioral Science. Inquiries about the Ph.D. program should be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Behavioral Science.
Additional information may also be obtained from the Department of Behavioral Science website: http://behavioralscience.med.uky.edu
Degree Requirements
Scholars with a terminal health professional degree (or enrolled in the MD/PhD Program) are required to complete 18 credit hours of coursework to establish pre-qualifying residency status. This coursework typically consists of core competency-based courses in clinical and translational science (typically 13 credit hours) and tailored coursework developed in consultation with the major professor and advisory committee (minimum of 5 credit hours). The tailored portion of the curriculum will be designed to provide training needed for the scholar to lead interdisciplinary CTS research teams and/or sustain independent research programs that promote innovation and new discovery.
Core Curriculum
Additional credit hours selected from graduate courses offered by health sciences colleges or related disciplines.
Program website: https://behavioralscience.med.uky.edu/bscience-graduate-education
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