CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services (CTI), a multi-national, privately held, full-service CRO, has announced that the company is collaborating with Xavier University on a new Master’s programme that will fill jobs desperately needed in the health care industry.

The US Bureau of Labour Statistics expects the demand for analysts to grow by 14% over the next 10 years, an increase of more than 2,300 jobs. The demand for health analysts in particular will likely outpace that projection.

To meet this demand, the Master of Science in Health Economic and Clinical Outcomes Research (HECOR) begins in Fall 2015. This 40-credit hour programme is designed to train analysts to conduct both clinical and economic evaluations that support improved health decisions.

“The programme that we have developed in partnership with Xavier is one of only a handful in the country,” said Dr. Candace Gunnarsson, vice president of Health Economics & Outcomes Research at CTI and former faculty member at Xavier. “Students will study health economics, data mining, statistical modelling and epidemiology as they prepare for careers as analysts, managers and directors in the fast-growing field of health care analytics that includes outcomes research, policy, economics and reimbursement.”

Last year, CTI’s Consulting and HECOR divisions relocated to University Station, adjacent to the Xavier University campus. The company recently moved their Biometrics department to the location as well. When CTI identified a need to hire health economic and clinical outcome analysts, partnering with Xavier to provide the education necessary to fill those jobs was a natural fit.

“A rapidly changing landscape for the healthcare sector, driven in part by the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, combined with an aging population and medical force, as well as technological advancements within the industry make this programme highly desirable,” said CTI CEO Tim Schroeder.  “We are excited to extend our collaboration with Xavier University and look forward to developing the future HECOR leaders in this exciting and innovative research space.”

The 2 year, non-thesis programme is designed to accommodate working professionals and people with a passion for solving problems using the latest health data to improve care. Courses are a combination of lectures, applied analysis exercises, group activities, discussion and case studies led by experienced full and part-time faculty who have practiced in the HECOR field, including CTI employees. Students complete a mentored capstone project during their final term.

Michael J. Graham, S.J., president of Xavier University, said the professional and community connection with CTI is critical to the program’s success. “The Jesuit education model will provide students the opportunity to explore ethical issues inherent in growing big data working in conjunction with an organization that is an industry leader in this important and growing field.”