Master’s in Clinical Research Online

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A Master’s in Clinical Research program encompasses advanced studies in research methodologies, biostatistics, and ethical considerations. Students learn to design and manage clinical trials, analyze health data, and navigate regulatory frameworks. Specializations like Clinical Research Management or Epidemiology allow for focused expertise. The program prepares professionals for leadership roles in the dynamic and ethical landscape of clinical research, promoting evidence-based healthcare practices and ensuring the highest patient safety standards.

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Master’s in Clinical Research Online Programs

Regardless of the Degree type, Clinical Research online courses essentially offer similar courses across programs. Most of these courses cater to broader aspects of Clinical Research, but they begin to vary based on the program or specialization. However, the list of courses/subjects below features a few to get a general idea of the Clinical Research curriculum.

Some of the core courses in a Master’s in Clinical Research program may include:

• Strategic and Operational Decision Making for Health Care Leaders
• Community Health
• Biostatistics for Clinical and Translational Research
• Clinical Trial Monitoring
• Regulatory and Compliance Issues
• Partnerships with Human Subjects
• Clinical Research Monitoring
• Responsible Conduct of Clinical Research
• Designing Clinical Research Studies
• Fundamentals of Regulatory Affairs
• Clinical Research Management Project
• Management of Clinical Trials
• Biostatistics with Computing
• Leadership Development in Health Care Systems
• Quality and Risk Management
• Clinical Research Ethics
• Monitoring, Auditing, and Oversight in Clinical Research
• Leadership and Change in Clinical Research Administration
• Epidemiology for Clinical and Translational Research
• Seminar in Clinical Research
• Clinical Research Practicum

Apart from the required basic courses, students are required to take up at least 2 (or more) Electives, some of which include but are not limited to:

• Directed Studies in Clinical Research
• Professional Skills for Students in the Biomedical Sciences
• Fundamentals of Medical Biotechnology
• Professionalism & Scientific Writing
• Introduction to Medical Pharmacology
• Applied regression analysis with Computing
• International Clinical Research
• Introduction to Global Regulatory Affairs
• Advanced General Pharmacology
• Drug Discovery and Development
• Bench to Bedside: Translating Biomedical Innovation from Laboratory to the Marketplace
• Good Clinical Practices in Clinical Research
• Ethical Issues in Clinical Research
• Molecules to Molecular Therapeutics

Depending on the type of degree and its requirements, students may also need to complete an internship or practicum experience.

Learning outcomes can vary by program. But in general, students of a Master’s in Clinical Research will exhibit the following skills:

• Instill good clinical practices and formulate strategies that address cultural and ethical considerations.
• Meet regulatory requirements in clinical trials by ensuring compliance with established guidelines and appropriately preparing regulatory documents.
• Use medical, clinical, scientific, regulatory, and commercial aspects required to develop new investigational product clinical development plans by evaluating research design principles.
• Effectively arrange for subject recruitment and retention and risk assessment.
• Integrate clinical, commercial, and regulatory aspects in planning and deploying clinical trials.
• Ensure data integrity in clinical trials.
• Design and develop clinical research, effectively conduct trials based on such research and evaluate their outcomes.
• Present clinical research results to colleagues (either from outside publications or from own research).
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to read and evaluate clinical research literature.

Master’s in Clinical Research Degree Types

Students who wish to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Research could very well be spoilt for choice when it comes to the types of degrees available today. All these Degree types generally use different approaches, formats, structures, and study requirements, which will, in turn, translate to a wide range of career paths. Depending on a student’s academic background, personal interests, and career goals, one could choose the most suitable degree, some of which are illustrated here.

The main requirement for a Master’s in Clinical Research Online is an accredited Bachelor’s degree (or even Master’s degree) that includes courses with content in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, biology, chemistry, or medical terminology. Alternatively, students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any other field must provide evidence of successful completion of additional courses in some of these subjects, along with a work experience of 6 months in clinical research conduct. Here is a quick look at other admission requirements for a Master’s in Clinical Research online program:

• Admission Application and Application Fee.
• Official Academic Transcripts.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• Personal Statement outlining short and long-term goals and interest in the field of clinical research and the reason for applying to the program
• Two or Three References or Letters of Recommendation.
• Proof of 6 months experience in clinical research, if required.
• Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00.

While some colleges require a GRE or GMAT standardized test score to be submitted along with the application, many have either waived this requirement or asked for the score only if the applicant’s cumulative GPA is below 3.0.

Note: Admission requirements, especially the academic background and/or work experience, may vary by program and college. It is always best to check the program guide for additional or specific details.

Free online courses are sometimes suitable for students who want to enhance their knowledge and gain a deeper insight into some specific aspect of Clinical Research. These courses are not graduate degrees but assist in studying a full-fledged Master’s in Clinical Research online program. Here are a few online clinical research courses:

With tuition fees and the average cost of Master’s programs rising, students will be wise to look into funding options for Master’s in Clinical Research Online Programs. Several funding options are available, ranging from scholarships to grants to government aid such as the FAFSA. Here’s a short rundown of funding possibilities to consider:

Scholarships

Scholarships are among the most common ways to finance advanced education and are relatively easy to apply for. The main reason for this is that Scholarships are construed as “free money” because a recipient is not required to repay the amount awarded. (Students should stay alert enough to avoid getting caught up in Scholarship Scams).

Fellowships

Full-time students are usually eligible for Fellowships, which are merit-based or project-based prizes that help them further their education. 

Assistantships

Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships are the most common assistantships available for a Master’s in Clinical Research at some universities. Assistantships enable students to teach, work, or conduct research at the college while still studying.

Grants

Federal, state, or private sectors usually offer grants to cover tuition costs and other related student expenses, including study materials, transportation, and equipment.  

Working on Campus

Some Universities hire their students to serve on campus as “employees.” This alternative, unlike Assistantships, treats the student like any other ‘employee,’ but the money received from such jobs could at least partly finance their tuition fee.

Federal Loans

Federal or private loans are another choice for raising funds for education. However, loans are issued based on interest and can lead to increased student debt if not paid back on time.

FAFSA

A viable alternative for funding graduate studies could be the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). More information on FAFSA can be found here.

To better understand college funding, read the best guide to financial aid.

Scholarships for Master’s in Clinical Research Online Students

Scholarships are also known as Fellowships at the graduate level. They are typically awarded to students based on academic merit. However, some scholarships are awarded based on an essay to be submitted to a scholarship committee that forms the basis for the award. Here are a few scholarships for a Master’s in Clinical Research online:

ACRP Clinical Research Scholarship⁹

The ACRP Clinical Research Leadership Scholarship is dedicated to Jim Kremidas, ACRP’s former executive director. This scholarship highlights ACRP’s commitment to advancing clinical research professionals. Designed to support students pursuing a master’s in clinical research, it acknowledges Kremidas’s significant contributions to workforce development in the field.

Award/Amount: $2,500

Deadline: TBA

Rho Chi Clinical Research Scholarship¹⁰

The Rho Chi Clinical Research Scholarship is an initiative to support students pursuing advanced education in clinical research. Offered by Rho Chi, the academic honor society in pharmacy, this scholarship acknowledges and assists individuals committed to making significant contributions to the field of clinical research within the pharmaceutical sciences.

Award/Amount: $7,500

Deadline: TBA

MS in Clinical Research jobs are not hard to come by in settings such as education, medicine, industry, and research, among others. With skills that include critical thinking, strategic development, leadership, and evaluation, graduates can cater to the growing need for Clinical Research jobs. For example, there are many careers in Clinical Research management that one could consider, such as:

• Project Specialists
• Regulatory Affairs Specialists
• Medical Writers
• Data Managers
• Clinical Research Monitors
• Study Coordinators; and
• Institutional Review Board (IRB) Administrators 

Some other career examples related to Clinical Research degrees and specializations include but are not limited to:

• Epidemiologist
• Microbiologist
• Clinical Trial Director
• Clinical Data Manager
• Biochemist
• Natural Sciences Manager
• Clinical Trial Program Manager
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Clinical Research Associate
• Medical Scientist

Several factors, such as an aging population and increased demand for public health programs, contribute to the overall demand for Clinical Research degree holders in the healthcare industry. The list below highlights a few in-demand jobs and their median annual salaries (as reported by ‘Payscale’ and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

An applied clinical research certificate often provides a shot in the arm and greatly increases the value of a student’s education in the job market. Additionally, additional Certifications and Licensure may be required for students to work in clinical trial organizations or governmental agencies (especially in public health). Some such certifications and licensing programs are:

Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP)¹⁵

The Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) designation by the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA)¹⁶ recognizes individuals proficient in clinical research conduct. This credential signifies expertise in ethical research practices, regulatory compliance, and protocol management. CCRPs play vital roles in ensuring the integrity and quality of clinical trials, contributing to advancements in healthcare.

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)¹⁷ offers several certifications, including:

Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA)¹⁸

This certification validates professionals’ expertise in monitoring and managing clinical trials. It attests to their competence in ensuring compliance, data integrity, and ethical conduct throughout the research process.

Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)¹⁹

This certification signifies proficiency in coordinating and overseeing various aspects of clinical trials. CCRCs ensure protocol adherence, patient safety, and data integrity, contributing significantly to the success of clinical research studies.

Certified Principal Investigator (CPI)²⁰

This certification acknowledges individuals as accomplished leaders in clinical research. CPIs demonstrate expertise in study design, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the success and integrity of clinical trials under their supervision.

Staying up to date with the latest research and developments in Clinical Research goes a long way in helping students and professionals build up their knowledge, discover new methods and approaches, and solve real-world problems in Clinical Research. Therefore, Master’s in Clinical Research online students and working professionals should commune, network, and grab every opportunity possible to leverage available resources. Here are a few such resources:

Georgia CTSA

The Georgia Clinical & Translational Science Alliance (Georgia CTSA) has a wealth of research resources, education and training insights, funding opportunities, and a growing community of Clinical Researchers.

ClinicalTrials.gov

ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine) has publications, clinical alerts and advisories, RSS feeds, trends, charts and maps, and content for analysis.

American Society of Clinical Oncology

Connecting an international community of almost 50,000 oncology experts, the organization is the foremost hub for advancing best practices in clinical oncology research and academic and community-based healthcare. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has resources supporting physician investigators and research staff in conducting and managing clinical trials.