Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS)

Announcement

Our Georgia CTSA application is currently under review with NIH-NCATS. We are accepting applications for the Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS) for the upcoming cycle. Acceptance into the CPTS is contingent on the funding of the Georgia CTSA. CPTS application deadline: May 3, 2027 - 5:00 PM (EST).

About the program

The Certificate Program in Translational Science (CPTS) is a formal 16-credit Emory Laney Graduate School program for trainees who seek to conduct research at the interface between basic and translational science and clinical medicine. Despite the explosive growth in biomedical knowledge, it has been increasingly difficult to translate this knowledge and discovery into applications for the treatment of disease and to benefit human health. The CPTS aims to address gaps between biology and medicine through a rigorous didactic program and promoting multidisciplinary team science. The CPTS enhances and transforms translational research training for predoctoral PhD students, postdoctoral fellows (PhD or MD) and junior faculty at the Georgia CTSA partner institutions: 

• Emory University
• Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM)
• Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
• University of Georgia (UGA)

CPTS trainees may elect to take the course work over a single year or spread the work over two years (which is often a preferred option for PhD students or PhD postdocs to minimize time out of the laboratory). The program was originally designed so that it would not add time to attain the degree for PhD graduate students, in contrast to the full MSCR, which adds an additional year to graduation for predoctoral students in the dual degree programs (PhD/MSCR or MD/MSCR).

Program Eligibility

Predoctoral Eligibility

• Graduate students: PhD-level graduate students from all four Georgia CTSA partner institutions may apply in the subsequent year after passing comprehensive examinations at their institutions.

Postdoctoral Eligibility

• Postdoctoral fellows with PhD or equivalent degrees: Postdoctoral fellows from Emory, MSM, Georgia Tech and UGA may apply at any at any point in their postdoctoral training.
• Physician postdoctoral fellows: Postdoctoral physicians, including senior residents and those in clinical/research specialty fellowship programs who will have protected time for the CPTS may apply at any at any point in their postdoctoral training at Emory University School of Medicine and MSM.

Faculty Eligibility

• Faculty:  Physician and non-physician faculty members of all academic levels from all four Georgia CTSA partner institutions who will have protected time and tuition support for CPTS training may apply.

Departments can also provide tuition support for those who may not be eligible for the Courtesy Scholarship or do not have other tuition coverage through a grant, etc.

CPTS Curriculum & Course Schedule

The CPTS has a competency-based curriculum that requires 15 core and 1 or more elective credits for a minimum of 16 credits. Please review the CPTS schedule to make sure that you have no time conflicts with the classes. You can review the course descriptions here.

• If you have already taken a similar course or have significant background in one of the subject areas, course substitutions are possible with the approval of the CPTS Director.

Program Funding

• Applicants not receiving Georgia CTSA financial support (e.g. K12 scholars and T32 predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees) can fund the CPTS tuition in a variety of ways.
• Faculty and postdoctoral fellows at Emory University who have been employed for at least one year may be eligible for the Courtesy Scholarship to cover up to 6 credits of tuition per semester. Please visit the Courtesy Scholarship website for more information.
• Postdoctoral fellows currently supported by other NIH or federal T-level or F-level training grants may have access to tuition support provided by their specific training grants. Please contact your PI or program administrator for more information.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply via the web-based CPTS application system – click here to start CPTS application.

The following items are required:

1. Cover sheet (save link as document)
2. NIH-style Biosketch from applicant and lead mentor/advisor
3. Personal statement(1-2 pages, single-spaced, 11 point font, 1 inch margins)
4. Transcript from current program(required of PhD students)
5. All applicants: Letter of support from Lead Mentor  (not required of faculty members at Associate or full Professor level)
6. PhD students only: Letter of support from PhD Program Director  
7. MD residents/fellows only: Letter of support from Department or Division Chair - letter of support should include confirmation of protected time and tuition support to complete course requirements.

Items 1-4 should be loaded into the web-based application form by you, while items 5-7 should come directly from the director and mentor, respectively.

Selection/Review Criteria

The Georgia CTSA Research Education Executive Committee will review applications and acceptances will be based on candidates’ interest and potential for a translational research career.

 After acceptance

If the application is successful, the applicant must complete the Laney Graduate School application process and, where applicable, submit the required application fee and original transcripts.

Questions

We encourage interested CPTS candidates to contact the CPTS Program Director, Dr. Jessica Alvarez, and Program Administrator, Rachel Hardison, to discuss their interests, career goals, specific programs and for assistance with the application process. For technical issues or problems with the online submission website, please contact Alexey Kurbatov.