In response to a growing demand for formal degrees in Clinical Translational Sciences, the University of Arizona Health Sciences established the CTS graduate program in 2014. CTS Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs are available to students in Tucson and Phoenix. Eligible applicants include those who have completed a bachelor's degree in health sciences or a related biological or basic science field and those with a terminal health sciences degree such as an MD, PharmD, DNP or DPH.

The MS program requires 30 units of coursework that includes a thesis reporting a substantial research project. The PhD requires 63 units, including coursework in the major and the selected minor and 18 units of dissertation research. PhD and MS students customize their coursework with their advisor to include useful courses offered in any of the U of A Health Sciences colleges, including the College of Medicine – Tucson, College of Medicine – Phoenix, College of Health Sciences, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and College of Nursing.

Students who already hold a terminal health sciences degree can expect to complete the MS in roughly one year or the PhD in three to four years. Post-baccalaureate students generally complete the MS in two years or the PhD in four to five years. The program financially supports only domestic (U.S. citizen or permanent resident) PhD students in the first year of the program. All students select a faculty mentor, who will normally employ the student to work in their laboratory. CTS students thus gain practical experience in translational research while completing their courses and then develop and complete their own research, which is reported in the dissertation or thesis.