RCR Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements for Ph.D. students who began their doctoral studies prior to summer/fall 2003?

This question has a few answers, depending on your field of study:

  1. For MSTP and all basic medical science Ph.D. students:
    Dr. Jo Rae Wright, Vice Dean for Basic Science, has identified the following requirements:
    1. Ph.D. students who entered Duke prior to Summer or Fall 2003 are required to attend the Basic Medical Science Orientation at Beaufort and one additional RCR Forum* prior to graduation.
    2. MSTP students who began their doctoral studies prior to Summer or Fall 2003 are required to attend either Beaufort or the Fall Orientation week RCR event for Natural Science & Engineering students and 1 RCR Forum prior to graduation.
      (Contact Dr. Douglas James in The Graduate School at douglas.james@duke.edu)

  2. For all other Ph.D. students:
    The Graduate School has NO degree requirements in RCR for students who began their doctoral studies prior to summer/fall 2003. While such students are welcome to attend RCR Forums (space permitting) and other training events for their professional development, we will not provide transcript credit.

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Should any students who matriculate into a Master's program and intend to pursue the Ph.D. attend RCR training?

No. The Graduate School will NOT award RCR credit to any Master's degree students.

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Can any postdoctoral fellows attend RCR training events led by the Graduate School?

No. Postdoctoral fellows at Duke University have two options to fulfill NIH and related ethics training requirements.  First, they can complete online modules via the Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities, & History of Medicine (see http://researchethics.mc.duke.edu/ ).  Second, they can attend the "Annual Ethics Training" offered each spring by the Duke Clinical Research Unit (see  http://dcru.duhs.duke.edu/Training/ ). The four-session course can be used to meet the T32 requirement for training in the responsible conduct of research. That requirement is detailed at the following T32 web site: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-00-103.html

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Do I need to pre-register for Fall Orientation?
  1. If you were a spring matriculant or missed due to an emergency or visa delay during your year of matriculation, please email Dr. James to ensure that you are pre-registered.
  2. If you are matriculating this fall into a Ph.D. program, DO NOT pre-register. We expect you to participate and already have your information from Graduate School Enrollment Services.

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Will RCR credits count toward a terminal master's degree?

Absolutely NOT!  RCR credit does NOT apply toward any Master's degree credits. It WILL NOT count toward either ungraded or graded units required for any Master's degree.

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