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Clinical Epidemiology and Research Management
Excellence in Clinical Research
Interested in learning more about this program?
Complete the form below to get started.
The Clinical Epidemiology and Research Management (CERM) field within the Advanced Health Care Practice master's program gives you the skills needed to build and lead research teams, design fundable studies, build and maintain the infrastructure needed to successfully carry out clinical research, and advance evidence-based thinking in your field. This one-year program is delivered fully online through asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities, providing flexibility for those at a distance.
Across the year-long program you’ll develop practical skills related to:
- Clinical research methods
- Biostatistics
- Critical appraisal and evidence-based practice
- Grant writing, research administration and knowledge mobilization
Clinical Research Leadership
Western’s CERM program promotes team-building and evidence-informed thinking. You’ll gain competence as a clinical research leader capable of building and maintaining quality research teams whose outputs contribute to evidence-informed decision making.
Program Highlights
The CERM program’s MBA-style case-based approach gives you the tools to make meaningful contributions to the discussion and advancement of thought in your field. Two on-site residency periods allow for student interaction and for students to:
- Understand research methodology and evidence-based medicine methods
- Learn how to properly initiate, lead, and manage a research study
- Develop quality research questions
- Learn how to build, lead and mentor a research team
- Understand data interpretation and analysis
- Explore successful grant writing
- Learn the importance of writing and justifying a budget for your study
- Develop communication strategies that lead to effective knowledge mobilization
Admission and Applying/Tuition and Fees
Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the following general requirements, in addition to the specific requirements outlined below for each applicant group.
- A minimum bachelor's degree from a recognized university and at least a (B) standing (or equivalent) over the final two years of the program
- Advanced computer skills
- Two references
- Academic (if attended university within the last five years) and professional
- Demonstrated English language proficiency, including both written and oral communication
- See below for more information
- Completion of supplemental questionnaire
In addition to the general requirements outlined above, applicants to the CERM program must meet the following criteria:
Clinicians/Practitioners:
- Evidence of more than 2 years of experience in clinical practice
or - Physician trainees may enter after postgraduate year 3 (PGY3) or beyond
Non-Clinicians Working in a Health Care Setting:
- Evidence of more than two years of related experience, post-undergrad (including participants in the MD+ program)
English Language Proficiency
- Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS is recommended)
- A minimum TOEFL score of 620 (paper-based), 105 (internet-based), 260 (computer-based) or an IELTS score of 7.5 is required
- Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
- The English language proficiency requirements outlined above do not apply to students from Quebec
Applying to the Program
Have questions about applying?
Email ahcp@uwo.ca.
To apply to the Advanced Health Care Practice program, students should:
- Visit the online application website
- Follow the instructions on that page to access the application
- Select "Advanced Health Care Practice" from the program options in the application and select the appropriate field
Application Deadline
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Applications are currently open and will close on April 30 for domestic and international applicants.
Tuition and Fees
The annual domestic tuition fee for this program is approximately $14,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May).
The annual international tuition fee for this program is approximately $37,000 CAD including ancillary fees (plus $2,100 CAD mentor fee i.e. $700 CAD/term***) which is payable over three terms (September, January and May).
These fees are subject to change and are set by Western University. Instructions for students paying tuition from a Canadian bank are available from the Office of the Registrar.
***Please note all fees including mentorship fees and course fees are currently under review and are subject to change and adjustment*
Capstone Experience
The Capstone Experience consists of a non-clinical mentorship opportunity in a health setting. A minimum of 100 hours will be completed under the supervision of one or more approved mentors. The self-directed experience is unique to each learner and allows students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and abilities while working towards developing chosen competencies including, interprofessional collaboration, self-awareness and reflexivity, critical reasoning and problem-solving, evidence-based leadership, systems thinking and applied expertise.
Students will consult with their professional mentors and capstone advisor to determine the learning objectives and goals for the duration of the capstone experience.
Students will identify potential mentorship opportunities in their own community, academic setting, and/or work environment. The mentor can be an individual from your own professional network. For example, some students who have employment in the health field have used the capstone experience as a professional development opportunity at their current place of employment, while others have found experiences in settings across the health sector from research, education, clinical, government/regulatory, or commercial (startups to large health companies). We have had students in the past work with physicians, physiotherapists, hospital administrators and even Canadian Blood Services, to name a few.
Often these projects involve policy/program evaluations, policy/program development, quality improvement projects, data collection as part of research, scoping or systematic reviews, leadership/management experience.
Students work on their capstone throughout the year, enrolling the capstone course each term. The experience is unique to each learner and allows students to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and abilities while working towards developing chosen competencies.
Capstone FAQ
What are some examples of Capstone projects?
Often these projects involve policy and/or program evaluations, policy and/or program development, quality improvement projects, data collection as part of research, scoping or systematic reviews, enhancing leadership/management experience.
Examples of some previous projects:
- Hospital Surge Planning for Vulnerable Populations
- Exploring the impact of social determinants of health on mental and physical well-being among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) Communities in Canada – A Scoping Review
- Essential Care Partner Policy at a Regional Health Centre – VP of Clinical Transformation
- Developing a framework to support collaboration among partners in Innovation and Health Sciences
- Program evaluation of occupational therapy tiered service programming in SK and SK-attached classrooms
Who can I select as a capstone mentor?
Students will identify potential mentorship opportunities which are local to them within their own community, academic setting, and/or work environment. The mentor can be an individual from your own professional network. For example, some students who have employment in the health field have used the capstone experience as a professional development opportunity at their current place of employment, while others have found experiences in settings across the health sector from research, education, clinical, government/regulatory, or commercial (startups to large health companies). We have had students in the past work with physicians, physiotherapists, hospital administrators and researchers. The Program Office and Academic leads will support you in this process and strategies on how to secure a mentor.
Where to look for a capstone mentor?
The capstone experience starts with searching for a mentor in a field that you are interested in.
- Think of professional or non-professional contacts
- Search sources like LinkedIn
- Email hospital or NGO volunteer offices
- Contact Western career services for advice
- Re-connect with peers from your previous studies
What is involved in being a Capstone mentor?
In addition to supervising your 100 hours, they must also attend a minimum of three meetings with you, the student, and Capstone Advisor (start, mid-point, and final check-ins). Your Capstone Advisor will be able to outline the criteria for an appropriate mentor and provide some guidance on how to find a mentor.
Students will consult with their professional mentors and capstone advisor to determine the learning objectives and goals for the duration of the capstone experience. The professional mentor should expect to provide the learning opportunity; participate in defining learning outcomes, activities, and deliverables; and provide feedback at the midterm and final.
Can you complete your capstone experience at your place of work?
Yes, but the project must be separate from your paid activities.
Is the Capstone Experience in person?
Depending on the project, students’ Capstone Experiences may require varying levels of in-person activities; however, students participate in mentorship opportunities that are local to them within their own communities, workplaces, etc. Students have also arranged for hybrid and remote options.
Does opting into the CHE designation affect the Capstone Experience?
If you opt in to the CHE, you must complete a CHE-designed capstone experience that includes:
- Meeting regularly with your CHE mentor
- Developing an organizational change, strategic planning or program evaluation project
- Organizing and facilitating a program-wide leadership day in collaboration with the other CHE students
Students who opt into the CHE stream, will be placed in a designated Capstone cohort where their Advisor will help ensure that their projects meet the criteria required for them to pursue their CHE designation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successfully completing the program, students should have the ability to:
- To locate and critically analyze the scientific literature to inform decision making in your field
- To formulate research questions that are unique and advance the science in your field
- To design clinical research using the appropriate methods to test research questions
- To synthesize relevant literature to create evidence informed recommendations in your field
- To build and lead research teams and build and maintain research infrastructure
- To write grant proposals to funding organizations for clinical and methodologic research
- To communicate and apply ethical principles and practices in research activities
- To develop communication and dissemination strategies for knowledge production from clinical research
- To develop iterative self-reflection skills for continued life-long learning
Program Structure and Course Offerings
Fall Term (September - December)
- AHCP 9600: Critical Appraisal of Health Literature
- AHCP 9604: Data Analysis in Clinical Research
- APPLHSCI 9099: Capstone Experience
Winter Term (January - April)
- Elective #1 (see below for options)
- AHCP 9605: Grant Writing
- APPLHSCI 9099: Capstone Experience (continued)
- On Campus Residency
Summer Term (May - August)
- Elective #2 (see below for options)
- AHCP9606: Research Team Leadership and Infrastructure Management
- APPLHSCI9099: Capstone Experience (continued)
- On Campus Residency
Elective Course Options
Students in the program are required to complete two of the following elective courses:
- APPLHSCI 9009: Project Management
- APPLHSCI 9010: Health Services, Systems and Policy
- APPLHSCI 9012: Health Program Evaluation
- APPLHSCI 9015: Evidence-Based Leadership in Healthcare
- APPLHSCI 9016: Economic Evaluation for Health Innovations
- APPLHSCI 9017: Implementation Science in Practice
Learn more about our elective course offerings.
Opt In To The Certified Health Executive (CHE) Certificate
As a student in Advanced Health Care Practice master's program, you're eligible for advanced standing toward the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation.
The CHE is Canada's top professional leadership designation for healthcare leaders looking to expand their institutional leadership career.
Western is now a LEADS Canada certified learning provider supporting the CHE designation. The LEADS framework was established by the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) and addresses health leadership for individuals, organizations, and broader systems.
If you opt in to the CHE, you must complete the following:
- Submit a detailed project proposal by mid-September
- Complete APPLHSCI 9001 and APPLHSCI 9015
- Complete a LEADS 360 Assessment and 90-minute debriefing
- Complete a CHE-designed capstone experience that includes:
- Meeting regularly with your CHE mentor
- Developing an organizational change, strategic planning or program evaluation project
- Organizing and facilitating a program-wide leadership day in collaboration with the other CHE students
For more information, email: ahcp@uwo.ca
