M.S. and Ph.D. Programs

The Translational Science program is designed to provide training in the area of translational science toward the goal of applying basic biomedical scientific discoveries into strategies that will improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and community health.

For many years, extensive national resources have been devoted to basic biomedical (bench) and clinical (human subject) research; however, significant barriers continue to exist in moving knowledge bi-directionally between basic research, clinical research, and applications to improve health outcomes in individuals and the community. These barriers make it difficult to efficiently and effectively translate new knowledge into improved patient care.

To remedy these problems, Translational Science has emerged as an academic and scientific discipline. Translational Science (TS) is a scientific discipline that investigates methods to move discovery more efficiently and effectively into application. TS investigators must respond, interact, facilitate change, and conduct research within and among varied organizational behaviors, structures, and cultures. TS conducts rigorous studies that close the knowledge gaps between different levels of the research process – the basic science laboratory, clinical research discoveries, and application of these research findings toward disease prevention and management, and strategies to improve human, community, and global health.

The doctoral degree program in Translational Science is offered as a multi-institutional joint degree program between The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), and The University of Texas at San Antonio, in collaboration with The University of Texas School of Public Health regional campus in San Antonio. Graduate students complete their research on the campus of the university of their faculty mentor.

The Translational Science graduate program is designed to leverage the existing resources and expertise in specific key areas of each university to offer a strong, diverse, and competitive Ph.D. training program. This program is designed to prepare the next generation of scientists to lead multi-disciplinary biomedical research teams in increasingly complex research environments. These scientists will advance knowledge in the area of translational research toward the goal of applying basic biomedical scientific discoveries into strategies that will improve healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and community health.

A complete description of the objectives of this graduate training program, course curriculum and milestones, eligibility for admission, and application process can be found on the UTHSCSA Translational Science site.