Online Master’s in Clinical Research Administration Programs
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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 types of 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, where they work closely with research participants over an extended period. The goal of clinical trials is 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 trials 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 2021) does not keep a specific page on clinical health administration, it does predict a 32 percent increase in openings across the U.S. for medical and health services managers in the decade preceding 2029.
People who already work 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, one convenient way to secure the necessary education is enrolling in a distance-based program.
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 |
| The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences | MSHS in Clinical & Translational Research | View Full Profile |
| The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences | MSHS in Clinical Operations and Healthcare Management | View Full Profile |
| The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences | MSHS in Clinical Research Administration | View Full Profile |
| Johns Hopkins University - Advanced Academic Programs | MS Food Safety Regulation | View Full Profile |
| Johns Hopkins University - Advanced Academic Programs | MS Regulatory Science | View Full Profile |
Featured Online Master’s Programs in Clinical Research Administration
Working professionals in the healthcare industry who wish to advance their career can continue working while also earning the credentials they need at one of these seven accredited, reputable schools.
Arizona State University partnered with the Mayo Clinic to design its award-winning online masters 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 a total of 11 classes, each of which runs for 7.5 weeks. The credit requirements include 15 credits of required core courses, such as clinical research monitoring and responsible conduct of clinical research, 15 credits of restricted electives, and a three-credit capstone research project.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0-grade point average (GPA), official transcripts from previous schools, 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
- Format: Online with an optional two-day orientation
- Tuition: $870 per credit
- Program length: One to two years
George Washington University offers a flexible online MSHS in clinical research administration program as it was designed for working professionals in clinical research. Students focus on medical research ethics, processes for product development, regulations, and much more.
The school developed its curriculum based on the eight competency domains of clinical research professionals, as defined by the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research. These include scientific concepts and research design, ethical and participant safety considerations, medicine development and regulation, clinical trials operation, study and site management, data management and informatics, leadership and professionalism, and communication and teamwork.
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, development of medicines, biostatistics, trends in health systems, and quality and risk management.
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 Association of Colleges and Schools
- Format: Online
- Tuition: $980 per credit
- Program length: 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 biostatistician, clinical research associate, clinical monitor, data manager, and project manager.
Students have the option of enrolling part-time or full-time and will complete several core courses, including principles of clinical research, new product development, healthcare economics, and biostatistical monitoring. They also complete several electives such as international clinical trials, pharmacokinetics, bioterrorism and mass public health threats, and epidemiology.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA, submission of GRE scores, prerequisites of anatomy and physiology, statistics, and 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
- Format: Online
- Tuition: $925 per credit
- Program length: 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 so that they can obtain leadership roles after graduation.
The 36-credit program requires the completion of 12 three-credit courses. Students can focus on one of five career tracks. These include biostatistics and data management, business and strategic planning of new product development, clinical research management safety and surveillance, new product research, and regulatory compliance and law. An example course from each of these tracks includes epidemiology, pharmaceutical research and development, ethical issues in research, fundamentals of academic research administration, and strategic planning.
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, and an essay on goals and objectives for seeking the degree, as well as past successes. Students may also need to complete a telephone interview.
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Format: Online
- Tuition: $1,200 per credit
- Program length: Two years
The School of Health Sciences at Eastern Michigan University offers a masters of science in clinical research administration. This program aims to provide didactic and hands-on instruction and opportunities for professionals working in drug/device development 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 or a research proposal, or a capstone project.
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
- Format: Hybrid
- Tuition: $10,260 per semester for in-state residents; $18,240 per semester for out-of-state residents
- Program length: Two years
The master of science in research administration program at Emmanuel was designed with the mid-level research administrator in mind. It provides students with new skills to obtain leadership positions within the field of research administration. Recent graduates of the program have been hired as financial managers, directors of research administration and faculty affairs, and senior grants administrators.
Students must complete 11 seven-week courses, totaling 36 credits, to earn this degree. They also need to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Each class runs for seven weeks, and most are worth three credits. Examples of coursework include changing economies, financial management of sponsored programs, and contracts.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 or higher GPA, official transcripts from previous colleges, two letters of recommendation, a 500-word admission essay, and a current resume. A certificate program is also available to those with a bachelor’s degree who want to move into more advanced healthcare management roles.
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Format: Online and on-campus
- Tuition: $2,192 per course
- Program length: One to 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 employed in other areas of healthcare 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 five 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, compliance, ethical, legal, and regulatory 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
- Format: Online
- Tuition: $4,010 per course
- Program length: Two years
The School of Health Professions at Rutgers University offers an online master of science in clinical research management. This program aims to provide a broad and well-rounded foundation for clinical research administrators. It offers two tracks: a 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 33 core courses that emphasize drug safety basics and regulations, risk management, signal detection, theory and practice of research methods, regulatory requirements of clinical investigations, disease process and pharmacology, and one special elective. Both tracks require a capstone project to solve a real-world problem in their place of employment or participate in a mentored fieldwork experience.
To apply to this program, students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. 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
- Format: Online
- Tuition: $775 per credit for in-state residents; $1,060 for out-of-state residents
- Program length: Two years
UCF’s College of Health and Public Affairs offers an online master’s 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, among others. 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, personal statement, and resume.
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Format: Online
- Tuition: $655.62 per credit for both Florida and non-Florida residents
- Program length: Two years
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UNT’s Health Science Center at Fort Worth offers a masters 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.
To apply, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and provide transcripts showing natural science coursework, two letters of recommendation, a resume, or a CV. GRE scores are optional unless otherwise required.
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Format: Online, on-campus, or hybrid
- Tuition: $2,368 per semester for in-state residents; $9,984 per semester for out-of-state residents
- Program length: 18-24 months
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. Macro and micro aspects of clinical research are the focus of this program which partners with industry professionals to prepare its graduates for the ever-changing industry. This program 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 ready to manage individuals and teams in clinical and healthcare industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and academic research labs.
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
- Format: Online
- Tuition: $1,510 per credit for part-time online students
- Program length: 20 months
Professors to Know in Online Graduate Programs in Clinical Research Administration
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Richard Mangano, PhD - Drexel University
Dr. Richard Mangano is an associate professor at the director of graduate programs in clinical research at Drexel. He teaches clinical research organization and management, clinical research for health professionals, the study of clinical research, and quantitative principles for clinical research.
In 2016, Dr. Mangano led a research and development effort targeting a drug to treat pain and opioid addiction simultaneously. Dr. Mangano has written over 30 peer-reviewed publications and more than 120 abstracts and presentations. He has worked with top research laboratories across the country and served as the therapeutic area director for neuroscience at Wyeth Research. He received his doctorate from Fordham University and his bachelor’s degree in science from Iona College. -
William Pickard - Campbell University
William Pickard is an associate professor of clinical research and chairman of the department at Campbell University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He completed his master’s degree in pharmacy practice and his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also completed a clinical pharmacy residency at Duke University Medical Center and is a certified immunization pharmacist. He currently teaches medical ethics, bioterrorism, and physical assessment courses at Campbell University.
Previously, Pickard worked in the infectious diseases division at Duke University, where he completed hundreds of clinical trials. While at Duke, his primary focus was on the immunocompromised host cancer population, and he developed the first two AZT trials for AIDS in the world. -
Marianne Woods, PhD - Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Marianne Woods is the faculty and program director of the research administration master's program. She has been in her current role since November 2013. Before that, she worked as the associate vice president of research at the University of Texas at Arlington and San Antonio and the University of Alabama.
In 2016, Dr. Woods traveled to Australia to participate in the International Network of Research Management Societies. Some of Dr. Woods’s research interests include research integrity, research support, research compliance, data management, export controls, classified research, industrial and contract agreements, and technology innovation and transfer. She has worked with the FBI on its citizen board of directors and currently holds membership in the National Council of University Research Administrators. Dr. Woods earned her doctorate in policy studies and evaluation from Claremont Graduate University.
