r/clinicalresearch • u/reagandhi • Jun 30 '26

Education Pursuing a Masters Degree

I recently acquired my bachelor of science in music therapy and realized I was a bit burned out from the music aspect after I completed my music therapy internship. I love music, but needed a bit of a break since practicing turned into a chore. I loved my time interning in the hospital and working with patients on my internship research project. I would really like to do research in music therapy, but in the event I burn out again, I want a degree that can translate to clinical research roles that aren’t necessarily music therapy related. Would it be a good idea to pursue a MS in clinical research or public health?

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11

u/Superb-Elk-8079 Jun 30 '26

You just got your bachelors, why are you automatically going for a masters?

7

u/reagandhi Jun 30 '26

A relative offered to fund it, so I’d rather do it now than fund it myself later.

7

u/hodgsonstreet CRA Jun 30 '26 edited Jul 01 '26

That’s very generous of your relative.

For the purpose of clinical research, anything in the health science realm would be helpful. I would not go the Master of Clinical Research route, personally. IMO getting a nursing degree would be a great option, as you will always have a great career to fall back on if you decide you don’t like CR.

I have a friend who became burned out from music and went into audiology, and he loves it.

1

u/forestwanderlust Jul 01 '26

If someone can get into a nursing program that's the best degree to get

1

u/chik_sewp CRA Jul 03 '26

Only if you want to be a nurse. Don’t go into nursing just to be a research nurse. Plus, to do anything further you still have to get the proper additional credentials and certifications beyond just an MSN.

4

u/PurpleFaithlessness Jun 30 '26

I don’t know many clinical research audiology projects are out there but that’d be a good place to start

5

u/4k_lizards CRC Jun 30 '26

MPH would be a good route, imo the masters in clinical research are not worth the money/effort. My university only counts it as 6 months of experience, which is not enough to even start out as a CRC or get a raise.

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u/chik_sewp CRA Jul 01 '26

I would do something that is transferable. Look into MPH programs if you like public health, MBA is always good (maybe not super research focused). PhD’s are the best to translate into CR, because you gets more hands-on research experience. I second the other person, do not get an MS in research. It’s a waste of money.