Online Master’s in Clinical Research Administration Programs
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“A key challenge in conducting clinical trials and other clinical research studies has been the lack of recruitment of individuals who are representative of the population experiencing a given condition. Historically, marginalized populations have been less likely to participate in clinical research. Ensuring diversity among our clinical research staff teams is an important aspect of helping to support greater representativeness in our study participants.”
Elizabeth Jensen, PHD, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine
The world depends on clinical research administrators. Research administrators are crucial to advancing medical knowledge. They do so by studying people directly or collecting and analyzing body tissues, blood, and other samples. Those who pursue a career as a clinical research scientist or administrator are at the forefront of healthcare research and play an instrumental role in improving public health.
Clinical researchers are frequently involved with clinical trials, working closely with research participants over an extended period. Clinical trials aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a medication, behavioral intervention, or holistic treatment method on health outcomes. In 2020, the world waited for clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines to prove the safety and efficacy of new vaccines to combat a global pandemic. Participants in clinical trials aim to improve their health and advance experimental research. Clinical trial volunteers help thousands of other people to achieve better health outcomes.
The National Institutes of Health maintains a database of all active clinical trials. It is not uncommon to have nearly 300,000 going on simultaneously across the country, which means the demand for clinical research administrators is high. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) does not keep a specific page on clinical health administration, it does predict a 29 percent increase in openings across the U.S. for medical and health services managers in the decade preceding 2033.
People already working in healthcare with a strong research interest typically excel in this career path. Since most employers require at least a graduate degree for an entry-level position, enrolling in a distance-based program is one convenient way to secure the necessary education.
Check out what to expect from an online master’s program in clinical research administration, including the tuition rates, curriculum, and profiles of three outstanding educators.
| Featured Clinical Research Administration Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Clinical Research Management (MS) | View Full Profile |
| Arizona State University | Clinical Research Management - Regulatory Science (MS) | View Full Profile |
| Arizona State University | Regulatory Science (MS) | View Full Profile |
| Arizona State University | Regulatory Science (MS) - Food Safety | View Full Profile |
| Johns Hopkins University - Advanced Academic Programs | MS Regulatory Science | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: Elizabeth T. Jensen, PhD
Dr. Elizabeth Jensen is an associate professor of epidemiology with specific expertise in reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology. Her research primarily focuses on etiologic factors in developing pediatric, immune-mediated chronic disease, including understanding factors contributing to disparities in health outcomes.
Dr. Jensen earned her MPH and PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in biomarker-based epidemiology. In addition to her appointment in epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest School of Medicine, she holds a joint appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine and an adjunct appointment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Department of Medicine.
Dr. Jensen also teaches at the Wake Forest University Graduate School, serving as the course director for the capstone in the clinical research management program. In her administrative roles for the program, she chairs the curriculum committee and serves on the program’s admissions committee.
MHAOnline.com: What do you wish the public understood about online master’s programs in clinical research administration programs?
Dr. Jensen: Online master’s programs in clinical research administration or management serve a vital function in the conduct of clinical research. Individuals completing these programs are prepared to support and manage both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated clinical research projects that lead to innovation in managing patient care.
It takes many, many different individuals to successfully conduct a clinical research study, including investigators, but also clinical research staff, including project managers, clinical research coordinators, regulatory staff, informatics staff, and many others. Without clinical research professionals, we would not be able to carry forward these studies, which are critical to our ability to develop new therapies and devices that support the care of patients.
A key challenge in conducting clinical trials and other clinical research studies has been the lack of recruitment of individuals who are representative of the population experiencing a given condition. Historically, marginalized populations have been less likely to participate in clinical research. Ensuring diversity among our clinical research staff teams is an important aspect of helping to support greater representativeness in our study participants. Offering programs online increases the potential to include a more diverse student population, ultimately supporting the recruitment of a more diverse patient population.
MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give aspiring online master’s in clinical research administration students?
Dr. Jensen: While returning to school for a master’s degree in clinical research administration may seem daunting, both in terms of time commitment and financial impact, it is an excellent means to improve your skills and marketability in working in a variety of clinical research settings, including pharma, clinical research organizations, regulatory settings, and in academic medicine.
Contributing to clinical research can be highly rewarding. Many of the students I have worked with at Wake Forest in our clinical research management program have come into the program with personal stories of illness in their families and how they hope to impact patients’ future through their contributions to clinical research. The return on investment for these students has been remarkable, not only in terms of their desire to give back professionally but also in terms of obtaining positions that provide strong potential for upward mobility in their careers. Many of our students are promoted during or within a short period of completing the program.
So, my advice is to reach out and talk to folks working in the field and to faculty teaching in these programs to learn more about whether this path makes sense for you. When researching programs, it’s reasonable to ask about the career trajectories of program graduates. Consider tuition costs in the context of your ability to advance in your career, too.
Featured Online Master’s Programs in Clinical Research Administration
Working professionals in the healthcare industry who wish to advance their careers can continue working while earning the credentials they need at one of these twelve accredited, reputable schools.
Arizona State University partnered with the Mayo Clinic to design its award-winning online master’s in clinical research administration program. The 33-credit program is appropriate for those who already work as doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals. Graduates of the program can seek employment in various research areas, including clinical data managers, clinical nurse specialists, clinical research coordinators, and more.
Students take 11 classes, each of which runs for 7.5 weeks. This includes six core courses, four approved electives, and a clinical research management project. Classes include clinical research data management and technology implementation, clinical research monitoring, clinical research operations, fundamentals of regulatory affairs, responsible conduct of clinical research, scientific and research review boards, clinical research design and methods, global regulatory affairs leadership, and healthcare project management.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA), official transcripts from previous schools, a resume or curriculum vitae, three professional references, proof of English language proficiency, and proof of at least six months of clinical research experience.
- Location: Tempe, Arizona
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Expected Time to Completion: One to two years
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Wake Forest University offers an online master of science in clinical research management (CRM) for those entering the field. This program focuses on macro and micro aspects of clinical research and partners with industry professionals to prepare its graduates for the ever-changing industry. It is designed for working professionals who can commit to two academic years. Students in this program are mentored by qualified clinical research professionals and leaders and learn innovative skills in an online educational environment.
This program offers two specialization tracks in strategic leadership and communications or operations. The curriculum emphasizes applying knowledge and skills in critical analysis, regulatory healthcare laws, and organizational considerations of clinical trials. Graduates are prepared for positions as clinical research managers and regulatory affairs managers and are ready to manage individuals and teams in clinical and healthcare industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and academic research labs.
The program’s curriculum, which consists of 35 credits, includes courses on ethical and participant safety considerations, medicine development, regulation, and industry, clinical studies development, quality systems and risk management, and data management and informatics.
Applicants to this program are advised to have some previous working experience in healthcare management or equivalent experience in another field. To be considered for admission, applicants must submit a 500-word statement summarizing their professional background and why they want to pursue a degree at Wake Forest, transcripts from previous degree programs, three letters of recommendation, a resume/CV, an attestation of readiness for online learning, and application fee.
- Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 20 months
George Washington University offers a flexible online MSHS in clinical research administration program designed for working professionals in clinical research. Students focus on medical research ethics, processes for product development, regulations, and more.
The online MSHS program consists of 36 credits broken down into 18 credits of core courses, nine credits of strategic leadership courses, six credits of graduate research coursework, and three credits of elective courses. Some of the classes students can expect to take include the clinical research industry, critical analysis in clinical research, medicines development, partnerships with human subjects, quality and risk management, monitoring, auditing, and oversight in clinical research, leadership and change in clinical research administration, and biostatistics for clinical and translational research.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA, a 250- to 300-word statement of purpose, a resume or curriculum vitae, two reference letters, and the submission of official transcripts from previous colleges.
- Location: Washington DC
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The online master of science (MS) in clinical research at Campbell University prepares students for leadership positions in the healthcare industry and teaches them how to produce and interpret medical evidence across many different sectors, such as medical institutions and hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, government agencies, and academia. Some of the specific positions that graduates of this program have obtained include jobs as a biostatistician, clinical research associate, clinical monitor, data manager, and project manager.
Students have the option of enrolling part-time or full-time. They will complete several core courses, including principles of clinical research, new product development, advanced data management, and clinical trial operations. They also complete several electives such as international clinical trials, pharmacogenetics, bioterrorism and mass public health threats, and epidemiology.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA, prerequisites of anatomy and physiology, statistics, 12 hours of science courses, official transcripts from previous colleges, two letters of recommendation, and a professional resume.
- Location: Buies Creek, North Carolina
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years with a five-year maximum
This online master’s in clinical research organization and management prepares students to conduct medical research in various industries, including biomedical, defense, diagnostic, medical device, and pharmaceutical. Students learn about the fundamental organizational and management skills for high-level professionals and the business, legal, and ethical issues facing the field to obtain leadership roles after graduation.
The 36-credit program requires the completion of 12 three-credit courses. Students can focus on one of seven career tracks. These include biostatistics and data management, new therapeutic product business and strategic planning, clinical research management, new product research and development, compliance and safety surveillance, ethics and law, and regulatory affairs. An example course from each of these tracks includes epidemiology, designing the clinical trial, compliance & monitoring issues, ethical issues in research, emerging trends in medical device regulations, clinical project management, and clinical trial budgeting.
Admission requirements include having a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA, two years of relevant work experience, official transcripts from previous colleges, a resume, an essay on goals and objectives for seeking the degree, and past successes. Students may also need to complete a telephone interview.
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The School of Health Sciences at Eastern Michigan University offers a master’s of science in clinical research administration. This program provides didactic and hands-on instruction and opportunities for drug/device development professionals to increase their knowledge base, creativity, and research skills.
Courses are taught in a hybrid format, on-campus and online, allowing students with full-time jobs to earn a degree. Graduates from this program are often admitted into preceptorship experiences with contract research organizations, pharmaceutical firms, and clinical research facilities affiliated with this program.
Required courses include an introduction to drug development, clinical study administration, and ethical issues in clinical research. Students in this program can choose from two tracks: clinical trial management or regulatory affairs, which have unique course requirements. To graduate, students can choose from two final projects: a research-based thesis, research proposal, or capstone project. The program comprises 34 to 35 credits.
To apply to this program, applicants must submit transcripts from institutions where they earned their bachelor’s degree and have a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units of coursework, a 500-word statement on career objectives, and two letters of support.
- Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) research administration master’s program is appropriate for professionals working in government agencies, higher education, and independent foundations and those in other healthcare areas seeking a career change. The school collaborates with the Research Administrators Certification Council, the National Grants Management Association, and the National Council for University Research Administration to create the curriculum for this program.
Students take 12 courses and can complete an additional four courses to earn a certificate in international research administration on top of their degree. Example coursework for the general program includes an introduction to research administration, organization and leadership for research administration, and an introduction to legal, ethical, regulatory, and compliance issues.
Admission requirements for the graduate degree program include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, a current resume, a one- to two-page statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from previous colleges.
The school also has a related MS in regulatory science or food safety regulation.
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The School of Health Professions at Rutgers University offers a hybrid master of science in clinical research management. This program aims to provide a broad and well-rounded foundation for clinical research administrators. It offers three tracks: a clinical research management track, an academic clinical research management track, or a drug safety and pharmacovigilance, which monitors pharmaceuticals for side effects after authorization for use. Students can complete this program part- or full-time and benefit from proximity to healthcare research institutions and facilities in the Newark metropolitan area.
This 36-credit program features courses such as scientific concepts and research design, regulatory and ethical requirements in clinical investigations, project management and leadership, special topics in clinical trial sciences, multiple analyses in clinical trials, overview of disease processes and treatment, clinical operations and management, regulatory writing for submissions and publications, and scientific writing for the translation of medicine.
Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher to apply to this program. Previous experience in clinical research is not required for admission, but applicants to the drug safety track are recommended to have a degree in nursing, pharmacy, or allied health. At the time of application, students must decide their specialization track and provide two letters of recommendation, a 250-word statement of short- and long-term goals, and official transcripts from the institution that conferred their bachelor’s degree.
- Location: Newark, New Jersey
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 16 to 36 months
UCF’s College of Health and Public Affairs offers an online master of research administration (MRA) program that provides several career paths for students, including associate or assistant vice president of research, clinical research administrator, and director of research operations. The goal is to prepare students with the managerial, ethical, and administrative tools to succeed as leaders in the clinical research field. Both Kiplinger’s Report and Forbes Magazine have noted the University of Florida for its affordable online programs.
Students complete 36 credits before graduating, including 27 credits of core courses and nine additional required courses. Core courses include an introduction to research administration, contracting for sponsored programs, and intellectual property, technology transfer, and commercialization. The other three courses focus on management, specifically in grant and contract, human resources, and strategic planning.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, an essay, a personal statement, and a resume.
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UNT’s Health Science Center at Fort Worth offers a master of science program in clinical research management. This program aims to provide a strong foundation in the discipline with a broad-based view of biomedical sciences, regulatory requirements, ethical issues, medical writing, and administrative skills for clinical research. Students can complete this program in as few as 18 months at full-time enrollment and choose from online, on-campus, or hybrid formats.
Students in this program take required core courses in biochemistry, immunology and microbiology, pharmacology, and principles of scientific communication. An internship practicum gives hands-on experience in off-campus locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Students in the online program complete a capstone project to contribute to scholarly research that addresses a specific problem in clinical research management. The online option consists of 37 credits.
To apply, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and provide transcripts showing natural science coursework, two letters of recommendation, and a resume. GRE scores are optional unless otherwise required.
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
