Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

CTS Frequently Asked Questions

  • The CTS PhD, MS, and Certificate programs are intended for individuals trained in the medical sciences, most commonly fully-trained physicians. Others with similar training are also considered: doctoral degrees in veterinary medicine, dental medicine, or pharmacy; predoctoral students enrolled in medical school (including MD/PhD candidates) or other PhD programs; and students with prior master’s degrees in epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical research, and related fields. The CTS application is open to US citizens, permanent US residents and international applicants.

  • You must submit your application through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) online application system. Information can be found in the Admissions section of this website. 

  • There are three application deadlines for the CTS PhD, MS, and in-person Certificate Programs. 

    • December 1 (Early Notification) 
    • April 1 (Regular Deadline for Students that Require a Visa)
    • May 1 (Regular Deadline for Students that Do Not Require a Visa)

    Applications for the HEOR Program are due August 1.

  • The GRE is optional for all applicants to the CTS PhD, MS and certificate programs. The GRE is strongly encouraged for students who have not demonstrated quantitative excellence in other areas of their application (for example, high grades in college- or graduate-level math courses, proficiency in statistical software). For those opting not to take the GRE, please provide a bulleted list of where quantitative excellence is demonstrated in your application (for example, provide math course numbers).

    The GRE is not required for HEOR applicants.

  • The ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certification is not required for proof of medical and clinical work experience. The most competitive candidates have completed clinical training and work experience in US based medical or health services institutions. The ECFMG Certification is one way to meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement for non-native English speakers.

  • Yes. Candidates seeking fellowship support must include this information in their Personal Statements and outline their qualifications for fellowship consideration.

  • Yes. If you are a medical student and interested in applying to the CTS Program before you complete your MD degree, please contact the CTS Program Director or Manager to discuss your options and your eligibility for a T32 Predoctoral Fellowship.

  • Please upload a copy of your transcript from each college and/or university you have attended, regardless of whether you earned a degree. Additional information can be found on the Application Process & Requirements page.

  • Candidates may be interviewed on site in Boston or via Zoom or telephone.  All fellowship candidates must be available for in-person interviews. Candidate interviews generally take place from January to March.

  • Yes. The CTS Certificate Program does not require a written thesis. However, a customized approach brief research project, initiated at the beginning of the final semester is a requirement as well as a poster presentation at the annual CTS Graduate Program Symposium which is held each May.

    The online HEOR Certificate Program requires coursework only.

  • Yes. In order to receive a MS in the CTS Program, all students must undertake independent clinical research and complete an approved final thesis.

  • The MS degree program is structured as a two-year full-time commitment.  The first year of the program begins in July and continues with a Fall and Spring semester.  In Year Two, there are no summer courses, only Fall and Spring semester courses.

  • Yes, all interested individuals may apply for admission to the CTS Program.  Students admitted into the Program without fellowship support do not receive stipends and are directly billed for tuition and fees by Tufts University.

  • Individuals who have not been admitted to a GSBS degree program may take core or elective courses, with approval from the course instructor as a non-degree student with Tufts University College.

  • Yes. Prospective students may apply for a limited number of fellowships with the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute. These highly competitive fellowship include full tuition for study in CTS PhD, MS and Certificate programs as well as annual stipends, and research and travel funds. These fellowships are NIH-funded and can only be held by US citizens or permanent US residents. 

  • No. However, the most successful candidates intend to pursue careers as independent investigators in clinical and translational research and are able to demonstrate commitment to this goal in their application.

  • No.  Student visa eligibility criteria include full-time enrollment in a degree program.

  • Yes. Prospective students may apply for a limited number of predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships with the Tufts Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CTSI). These highly competitive fellowships include full tuition in the CTS PhD, MS and Certificate programs, annual stipends, research and travel funds. The fellowships are NIH-funded, which requires US citizenship or permanent residency status.

    These fellowships are not available for applicants to the online HEOR certificate.

  • The CTS Graduate Program is an in-person program with hybrid accommodations for students based at geographically distant Tufts CTSI partners. The HEOR Certificate Program is an online program.

  • The CTS Program has a part-time, 11 month Certificate Program that is designed to provide a basic foundation in clinical research.