Master of Science in Medical Education: Research Project, Project in Curriculum Development, or Thesis

Individuals pursuing the Master of Science in Medical Education are required to complete a formal thesis or substantive research project that applies toward the 30-credit requirement for the degree. The project will count for 3 credits and must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. It must be primarily independent work by the trainee.
  2. It must be submitted in written form.
  3. It must form the basis for a comprehensive review of competence by a committee of at least three training faculty recommended by the major advisor and approved by the program director.

As described below, there are four standard mechanisms that are considered appropriate for the substantive project, subject to the program's approval. To obtain approval, the trainee must submit a one-page prospectus in the fall term of his or her first year in the program. The prospectus must provide a brief description of the intended project and must be approved by the trainee's mentor and, in turn, the program leadership before the trainee may proceed. The following mechanisms are the standard ones for the substantive project.

  • A curriculum development project: The trainee may elect to submit a formal project in curriculum development, including planning or completion of a needs assessment, formation of curricular goals and specific measurable objectives, educational strategies, proposed implementation of the curriculum, and evaluation and feedback.
  • A peer-reviewed publication: At the discretion of the program director and as evidence of independent work, the trainee may submit one first-authored paper related to the trainee's research project in medical education or curriculum development.
  • A major grant application (R01, K award, or equivalent): As evidence of the ability to plan and conduct independent research in the area of medical education, a junior faculty member may submit a completed R01 or equivalent research proposal for which he or she is the principal investigator.
  • A standard thesis: A trainee may elect to complete a master's thesis in a chosen topic relevant to medical education. A thesis produced under this option must conform to all applicable University policies regarding theses (visit www.pitt.edu/~graduate/etd for details) and must be defended before a committee recommended by the major advisor and approved by the program director.

Each of the options listed above must be reviewed and defended before a review committee, and members of the committee must be identified on the review committee form. Trainees must submit this form at the beginning of their second year in the program.