Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply to the CSTP?

Only students who have applied to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPSOM), but who have not yet matriculated, are eligible to apply to the CSTP. We accept applications before students know whether they’ve been accepted to UPSOM, but we only review and make offers to those CSTP applicants who have been offered admission to UPSOM.

How is this program different from the PSTP?

The Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) is a "sister program" to the CSTP. It is also a five-year scholarship program offering structured activities and mentored research experience. However, the PSTP is more focused on basic - not clinical - research. The most important difference between the two programs is that the CSTP includes a formal degree-granting component; the PSTP does not.

How is this program different from the Area of Concentration program?

The activities in the CSTP are more highly structured, include formal coursework, and lead to an additional degree, either a Certificate or MS in clinical research.  Students may participate in an AOC while also enrolled in the CSTP.

How much will it cost for me to get an MS or Certificate in Clinical Research?

Nothing! If you are accepted into the CSTP, your tuition for the Certificate or MS in clinical research will be paid for you by the Dean's Office. CSTP students receive a minimum stipend of $10,000 during their CSTP research year (students are eligible to apply for other stipends for their research year as replacements for, rather than augmentations to, this $10,000). Additionally, CSTP students receive scholarships covering some of their medical school tuition in order to offset the indebtedness that could deter pursuit of an academic career.

Does the CSTP meet the requirements of the Scholarly Project?

Yes.

When would I take the CSTP research year?

The CSTP research year is between MS-III and MS-IV. Students take the core curriculum (and the specialty track courses in the MS program) and conduct mentored research during the CSTP year. Nine units of the core curriculum are concentrated in July and August, and students concentrate almost entirely on coursework during this time. Between September and June of the CSTP year, and up to 3 months of elective rotations during MS-IV, students conduct nearly full-time research while also completing the rest of the core curriculum and, for MS students, the specialty track required and elective courses.

If I’m already matriculated at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, can I participate in the CSTP?

Current MS-I, MS-II, and MS-III students are not eligible for the CSTP. Students who are interested in taking a year out to do mentored clinical research at Pitt and pursuing formal clinical research methods coursework should consider applying to the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship or one of the NIH-funded T-32 programs at Pitt.

Is the program right for me?

If, after reviewing this website, you still want to find out more about the program, write to Dr. Amber Barnato, the Associate Director (barnatoae@upmc.edu) of the CSTP.