With rapid developments in technology and genomics, this translational science is changing the advancement of medical care so that prevention and treatment of disease is specific to each individual patient. Much of this personalized medicine is dependent on clinical and translational sciences (CTS). Thus, there is a need for scientists and clinicians who can direct teams in CTS and can establish collaboration among basic and clinical scientists from different disciplines.?

Additionally, an MS degree in clinical and translational sciences is an absolute requirement for obtaining a National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) or an Institutional Development Award.

Graduates of this program will be able to perform clinical trials, particularly in the rural regions of West Virginia. Graduates also would be strong candidates for positions in schools of medicine and medical centers that have Clinical and Translational Science Centers. There are also opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry or government regulatory bodies.