Certificate in Advanced Training in Clinical Research (ATCR)

General Information:

• For admissions-related questions, please email [email protected]
• Students interested in the Certificate Program, please choose "ATCRC/ATCR Certificate" on the application.
• For UCSF affiliates considering enrollment in the program, please contact Clair Dunne.
• Early application is particularly encouraged for applicants originating outside of the San Francisco Bay Area who may require visas or housing. 

The following documents are required:

• Complete the UCSF Graduate Division application.
• 1 letter of reference.
• A copy of prior transcripts is acceptable for application review purposes. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are notified of admission decisions within six weeks of our receipt of complete applications. All application materials, including letters of recommendation and transcripts, must be received for the application to be considered complete. If any portion of the application is missing by the final due date, the application will be considered incomplete. 

Transcripts:

Upon acceptance to our program, official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school should be submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. E-Transcripts are highly encouraged and can be sent to [email protected].  We do not accept transcripts submitted by the student.  Mailing address for hardcopy transcripts is available upon request.  International applicants will be required to provide third-party verification of their transcripts.  

Interviews:

Select applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee.

The ATCR Certificate program welcomes applications from international scholars who meet the program's prerequisites; however, it does not provide direct financial aid. This program is a STEM/OPT eligible degree: 2024 DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List

English Language Proficiency Requirement.

Please visit the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs website for specific guidelines on how this requirement can be met:  International Admission Requirements 

Transcripts:

Unofficial transcripts are permitted during the application phase only. Once you have been granted admission to UCSF, any transcripts you submitted in support of your application from institutions outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an accredited third-party credential evaluation service: International Admissions Requirements

Visas:

Once an international applicant has been accepted into the master's program, the scholar is expected to work with UCSF's International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) to obtain the appropriate visa. Note that the program begins on July 13, 2026, so travel arrangements should be made to arrive in San Francisco by July 12, 2026.

Enrollment Deposit:

All successful non-UC-affiliated applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable $1,000 deposit to hold their enrollment.  This $1,000 will be applied towards the total fees upon enrollment. 

Fees 

The 2025-2026 annual fees for the ATCR Certificate are $34,029. The ATCR Certificate program requires enrollment for at least 4 quarters (starting in Summer). Please visit our fees page for a detailed outline of assessed fees.

Financial Assistance

Prospective students should contact the UCSF Financial Aid office for more information.

Curriculum

Certificate students are required to complete 28 units of coursework. Core course units make up 22 units.  Students can take electives that align with their interests to meet the 28-unit requirement.

Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (B) and must make satisfactory progress toward the degree as defined by the program. Students who fail to maintain a 3.00 grade point average or who fail to make satisfactory progress toward the degree are subject to dismissal by the Dean of the Graduate Division after consultation with program faculty.

Students in good standing can convert from the Certificate to Master’s Program with a simple application in Spring quarter of the first year.

Schedule

The majority of our learners hold additional part-time positions in addition to being enrolled full-time in our program, so the program provides as much flexibility as possible.  We record the vast majority of lectures, which can be viewed at your convenience.  Attendance is required only for select core courses (Designing Clinical Research, our Seminar series on Tuesday afternoons, and Responsible Conduct of Research).   Some courses may hold in-person exams that would require attendance. 

Attendance at all other lectures/sessions, although strongly encouraged for maximizing learning, content retention, and building community, is not required.

View Curriculum

For admissions-related questions, please email [email protected]

For current students or general program-related questions, please email [email protected] and Clair Dunne, Program Coordinator.

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