The MS degree expands upon Certificate coursework in biostatistics and epidemiology to provide mentored, research training with required and elective courses, the latter to complement research needs and interests. Clinical and Translational Science is a high priority for the National Institute of Health (NIH). Clinical research encompasses the following research areas: 1) Research with human subjects that attempts to determine disease mechanisms, therapies, clinical trials and new techniques, 2) Epidemiology & Behavioral research and 3) Outcomes research. Translational research, sometimes referred to as bench to bedside to community, is a concept beginning in the laboratory developing and testing interventions impacting human health, taking that information into trial studies on human subjects and finally, determining best practices for community health. West Virginia University has a Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) which is funded in part from the NIH Institutional Development Award Program for Clinical & Translational Research (IDeA-CTR). The WVCTSI, in partnership with other institutions, has a mission to focus on research that will address the health issues of individuals and communities specifically as they affect West Virginia and the Appalachian region. The mission of this institute is in alignment with the land grant mission of West Virginia University (WVU) and the strategic plan of the WVU Health Sciences Center