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10 Best Online Clinical Research Certificate Programs

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: May 21, 2024, Reading time: 12 minutes

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Good, pertinent training is crucial for overall professional development. The correct information and the right mindset are essential to highly specialized businesses like clinical research. Due to the complexity of the entire drug development process and its effect on human health, it is vital to have trained clinical research professionals working throughout a clinical trial.

Best Online Clinical Research Certificate Programs - fact

Many graduates pursue careers as Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) or Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs). They could help with surveys and other types of research, organize clinical procedures, submit information to the FDA, and more.

To ethically conduct clinical trials, a person at the Clinical Research Associate (CRA) level must have a solid working understanding of the ICH GCP standards and the relevant Clinical Research regulations published by various regulatory agencies.

The Lowdown

Well-trained and educated staff members will help organizations and research teams succeed and uphold integrity during clinical trials. Clinical Research training should be given more attention in the current hectic world.

Methodology

Due to the rising number of clinical certificate programs available, it’s often hard to track which are the good ones. To help you out, we did a thorough sweep of clinical certificate programs and ensured that they:

Please visit our Methodology page and see our detailed ranking process.

College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

10 Best Online Clinical Research Certificate Programs

Drexel University

Drexel University - Online

Clinical Research Certificate Program Online

The Certificate in Clinical Research Program at Drexel University allows students to earn their credentials through a 100% learning format. 

What Makes This Program Unique:

This online certificate program allows its students to customize their program plans fully. Programs of study are made individually and are tailored to your career goals.

Did You Know?

Drexel is famous for offering strategic and leadership-focused courses. In addition, students can add “special topics” to their program, including Compliance and Safety Surveillance, Ethics and Law, Clinical Research Management, and many more. You can also use the credits in the certificate to pursue the Clinical Research program at the master’s degree level.

University of Delaware

University of Delaware

Online Clinical Trials Management Certificate

The University of Delaware’s Online Clinical Trials Management Certificate objectives and courses align with the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) exam content. 

What Makes This Program Unique:

Applicants for the Clinical Trials Management Certificate online should have a solid science and healthcare background and an associate’s degree-level coursework. 

Did You Know?

Credits for this online certificate program are considered as a Lower Level Health Science Elective of Wilmington University’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University

Online Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate

The Online Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate is a post-baccalaureate certification for students interested in jumpstarting a career in research. 

What Makes This Program Unique:

ASU’s graduates have access to various mentorship and job placement opportunities. Students will learn from world-renowned faculty members. 

Did You Know?

ASU is one of the best schools to earn certificates and degree programs at a low cost. 

Boston University

Boston University

Online Graduate Certificate Program in Clinical Research

Boston’s Online Graduate Certificate Program in Clinical Research is designed to help students prepare for the Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) exam offered by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). 

What Makes This Program Unique:

The program was created to help professionals in the clinical and health field, including doctors, research nurses, managers in Clinical Research and site managers, and many more. The knowledge and skills obtained can also be used for careers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors.

Did You Know?

Earning a certificate from Boston University will increase your chances of employment. BU is one of the most prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) schools, which brings together the best research universities in the US and Canada.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University

Clinical Trials Certificate Program Online

Johns Hopkins University’s Clinical Trials Certificate Program allows students to study online, on-campus, or in a hybrid learning format. 

What Makes This Program Unique:

Students must create a methodology and plan for gaining consent for a randomized clinical study, such as a sample consent statement. 

Did You Know?

While this degree is aimed at students with a degree in any Clinical Research field, non-degree students can apply for the program. However, there will be different admissions processes for degree and non-degree holders. 

The George Washington University

George Washington University

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Practice Online

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Practice Online at George Washington University is one of the best certificates that prepare students for evidence-based practice in clinical research. 

What Makes This Program Unique:

The certificate is intended for working MDs, PAs, PTs, OTs, and other allied health professionals who want to collaborate on funded research initiatives. Courses expand to relevant laws, rules, and institutional policies overseeing clinical research.

Did You Know?

The program’s director, Dr. Samar Nasser, co-authors ethnic disparities and cardiovascular disease/hypertension journal articles and book chapters.

University of Hawaii – Manoa

University of Hawaii – Manoa

Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research

UH at Moana’s Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research allows students to complete the program part-time or full-time. 

What Makes This Program Unique:

This program helps students interested in medicine or biomedical research, making it one of the best ways to prepare for medical school. 

Did You Know?

UH at Moana offers one of the most affordable certificate programs in clinical research, which only costs $650 per credit hour.

University of Missouri

University of Missouri - Online

Clinical Research Graduate Online Certificate

Mizzou’s online Clinical Research Graduate Certificate is designed for students who want to build on their undergraduate skills and knowledge without immersing in a master’s degree program. 

What Makes This Program Unique:

The coursework of this online Clinical Research certificate program has overlapping content with the MS in bioinformatics. Students who want to advance their education can easily transfer the 15 credits to the master’s degree program. 

Did You Know?

Non-degree students can still apply for up to 6 credits but are not guaranteed enrollment. 

University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota

Online Certificate Program In Clinical Research

The Online Certificate Program In Clinical Research at the University of Minnesota is designed to help healthcare professionals gain proper knowledge in implementing and managing Clinical Research studies.

What Makes This Program Unique:

The program aims to help students better understand the disease, therapeutic approaches, clinical trials, and other topics. Graduates will develop the skills necessary to do patient-centered research while interacting directly with human patients.

Did You Know?

UM provides an exceptional and supportive setting for aspiring Clinical Research professionals. UM’s facility for Clinical Research training is known as a leading academic Clinical Research center with a sizable Clinical Research portfolio.

Berkeley Extension

Berkeley Extension

Hybrid Certificate Program in Clinical Research Conduct and Management

Students who want a more hands-on learning approach should consider Berkeley’s Hybrid Certificate Program in Clinical Research Conduct and Management

What Makes This Program Unique:

It is one of the most competitive online certificate programs. Students must maintain a 2.5 minimum GPA to graduate. 

Did You Know?

While there are no specific prerequisite requirements, students with a bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific field have higher chances for acceptance.

Career Opportunities in Clinical Research

Clinical Research provides a wide range of career options. Graduates can work in pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, contract research organizations, hospitals, academic institutions, and more.

Here are three of the most popular career paths in clinical research:

Clinical Research Coordinator

CRCs are responsible for monitoring and managing the day-to-day operations of Clinical Research studies. They work in various Clinical Research sites, including hospitals, independent medical practices, universities, medical schools, and other research companies and institutions.

Clinical Research Associate

CRAs collaborate with clinical trial locations to monitor trials and guarantee that general operational, regulatory, and ethical requirements are upheld.

Clinical Research Data Specialist

The Clinical Research data specialist is responsible for managing and analyzing Clinical Research. They look for related studies, electronic health records, and other information from many sources and systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Clinical Research Certifications and Clinical Research Certificates the same? 

Many people think that having a certificate and a certification is the same. However, there’s a big difference between being certified and obtaining a certificate. 

A Clinical Research certificate is given to students who complete a certificate program offered by colleges and universities. On the other hand, a Clinical Research certification is given to someone who passed standardized exams in clinical research, such as the ACRP Certification exam

What’s the difference between Clinical Research vs. Clinical Trial Certificate?

The difference between Clinical Research and clinical trial certificates is their focus. Clinical Research certificates focus on preparing students to perform, interpret, and use clinical research. Clinical trial certificates prepare students to oversee the creation and execution of clinical trial designs.

Key Takeaways

Additional Information: