The Top 8 Clinical Research Degree Online Programs Complete 2024 Guide

Is there a good career option for someone who loves science, health, and medicine but doesn’t want to work as a doctor or nurse? Absolutely. A great option—not to mention a quickly growing field— is to get your clinical research degree online.

In many ways, clinical researchers represent the cutting-edge of healthcare. They are the first to test new medications, discover exciting new cures, and solve complicated health problems.

For those who love healthcare but don’t want to go a more traditional route, earning a degree in clinical research online is definitely an option worth exploring.

What is the typical path to enter this career?

There are several ways to begin a career in clinical research. High school graduates can jump right into an associate’s or bachelor’s online degree in clinical research. Those who already have careers in healthcare but want to transition to a research career can earn their master of science in clinical research online or pursue a graduate-level certification program.

Those who have an unrelated bachelor’s degree and want to completely switch careers can take a master’s or certification program as well. If you find yourself in this camp, just be sure to pay special attention to admissions requirements—some schools require a previously earned healthcare degree.

Bottom line? Wherever you are in your career journey, there is a way for you to begin to pursuing this path. We’ll touch on all these different options in this article as well as share some of the best clinical research programs that might be a great fit for you. Read on!

Article Navigation: Online Degree in Clinical Research Overview | Types of Accredited Clinical Research Programs Online | Top 8 Clinical Research Degree Online Schools | Become a Certified Clinical Research Professional | Find Your Masters Online with GetEducated

Online Degree in Clinical Research Overview

What to expect in a clinical research masters online program

The length of time needed to complete a clinical research degree online varies depending on the type of degree. For a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, students can expect to spend around four years in the program. Beyond a bachelor’s degree, graduate certificates can take just one year or less, and full master’s in clinical research online programs are generally 1-3 years.

While there are in-person and hybrid options available, the vast majority of the schools on our list feature programs that are 100% online. Some are completely asynchronous and allow students to complete work at their own pace, while some have live classes and require specific log-in times.

Since it is a research degree, all students should expect to be doing hand-on research at varying degrees of difficulty depending on the level of the program. Some master’s programs offer students a couple of different focus options, and most master’s programs require a capstone research project.

The main accrediting bodies for clinical research online programs are:

• Accreditation Council for Clinical Research & Education (ACCRE)
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

Their websites include a list of accredited programs. In addition to programmatic accreditation, it’s always important to make sure the school itself holds accreditation.

Types of Accredited Clinical Research Programs Online

Clinical Research Bachelor Degree Programs Online: This program is for an aspiring clinical researcher who has a high school diploma. Typically, the admissions requirements for a bachelor’s in clinical research will be the same as those for any other degree at that particular university. This degree will prepare you to be a clinical research associate. (All of this will also usually apply to associate degrees as well.)

Masters in Clinical Research Online: These programs are for those already working in the healthcare industry who want to start a new career in research. Most programs will require some previous education and experience in the field, and some programs require extensive education and experience. This degree will allow you to be a Clinical Research Coordinator or Clinical Research Manager.

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Online: This certificate is like a happy medium between a bachelor’s and a master’s. It’s an excellent step to get to the next level in your healthcare career. This is most often for experienced healthcare professionals who want to become researchers. Some coordinator and manager positions may accept this certificate in place of an MS.

PhD in Clinical Research Online: An online PhD in Clinical Research is a terminal degree. It’s great for those pursuing research leadership in the field or who want to become university professors.

Top 8 Clinical Research Degree Online Schools

We rounded up the top 8 best online clinical research programs. All of these schools have multiple clinical research programs at differing price points—depending on the type of degree and whether students are in-state or out-of-state.

1. Florida State College at Jacksonville

   Degrees: Clinical Research Professional Associate of Science; Clinical Research Coordinator Technical Certificate
   Tuition (in-state): $104.88 per credit
   Tuition (out-of-state): $401.27 per credit

   The School

   The Florida State College at Jacksonville was founded in 1965 as a community college. It grew quickly and within 20 years opened five campuses. In 2007, the school earned its accreditation and began offering baccalaureate degrees. Today, the school has a total enrollment of around 40,000 students. Plus, it offers around 150 different degree and certificate programs.

   The college prides itself on affordable, high quality education for their diverse student population. It operates by five core values: integrity, respect for all served by FSCJ, innovation, student-centered, and excellence in teaching, learning, & service. They believe that all students are able to succeed when given the right tools and when in the right kind of learning environment that meets their needs. For in-state students, it also offers one of the lowest tuition rates around.

   The Program

   Their Clinical Research Professional associate’s degree is a 60 credit program that prepares students to be research professionals to further public health. Students will learn to “identify better ways to detect, diagnose, treat, and prevent the spread of disease.” Some core classes in this program include: Human Anatomy and Physiology, Health Law, and Research Methods & Applications.

   The program is available on full-time or part-time schedules and can take as little as two years. Along with the courses, students must participate in two clinical research practicums. Graduates of this program will be prepared to take the Association of Clinical Research Professionals’ Clinical Research Coordinator certification exam or the Society of Clinical Research Associations’ Certified Clinical Research Professionals exam.

   The school’s Clinical Research Coordinator Certificate is embedded within the Clinical Research Associate’s degree, but is also available separately. It is designed for those who already work within the medical field and who would benefit from learning about clinical research. This is a 30 credit certificate that can be completed in just over a year.

   To begin the application process, prospective students can create an application account here.

   Find Out More:
   Florida State College at Jacksonville

    

2. University of North Carolina – Wilmington

   Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research; Clinical Research Operations Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
   Tuition (in-state): $185.13 per credit
   Tuition (out-of-state): $837.96 per credit

   Degree: Master of Science in Clinical Research and Product Development
   Tuition (in-state): $276.62 per credit
   Tuition (out-of-state): $1,119.73 per credit

   The School

   The University of North Carolina Wilmington began as a college center in 1947. Within 11 years, it rapidly grew to become a four-year college and has kept growing. Today it has a total enrollment of around 18,000 students and is becoming one of the top research universities in the country.

   UNCW seeks to consistently integrate teaching, mentoring, and research with their vision to transform the lives of their students and prepare their students to transform the lives of others. Their current strategic plan operates under four main pillars: unparalleled opportunities, nationally prominent programs, community commitment, and world-class operations & infrastructure.

   The university offers three different clinical research tracks: a bachelor’s degree, a post-baccalaureate certificate, and a master’s degree. Let’s take a quick look at each program.

   The Programs

   Their Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research is a 100% online program with 83-84 credit hours. Students begin with 28 hours of general education and then take 55-56 hours of core courses. The core includes classes like: Study & Site Management for Clinical Trials and  Regulatory Affairs. The program also include two internships.

   The post-baccalaureate certificate program is for students who already posses an undergraduate degree but who want additional training in clinical research. This is generally for professionals already working in the healthcare field or another kind of research and statistics field. This is a fast 18-credit program that includes four core courses and one elective course.

   UNCW’s Master of Science in Clinical Research and Product Development program is for students who already have an undergrad degree and want more holistic training than the certificate program. They offer a fully online program that is available as a 2.5 year track or 3.5 year track. Students will take 15 credits worth of core courses, followed by 18 credit hours of specialization courses, and then finish with a Capstone Project.

   Admission requirements vary depending on the program of interest. Prospective students can begin the application process here.

   Find Out More:
   University of North Carolina - Wilmington

    

3. Drexel University

   Degrees: Certificate in Clinical Research; Master’s in Clinical Research Management, Organization, and Administration; MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $653 – $1,305 per credit

   The School

   Drexel’s history goes all the way back to 1891 and begins as an institution that didn’t initially confer degrees. But the school kept growing, and it began conferring bachelor’s degrees in 1914, master’s degrees in 1927, and doctoral degrees in 1965. Today the school is home to over 22,000 students and is one of the top research universities in the country.

   To stay at the top of their game and plot a course for a successful future, Drexel recently introduced their “2030 Plan.” This plan is based around six strategic goals: innovative research, powerful partnerships, agile curricula, enhanced experience, empowered students, and a culture of equity. These initiatives continue to allow the university to meet the changing landscape of higher education and societal changes at large.

   Drexel offers three options under the Clinical Research umbrella. All three options are housed in the University’s highly esteemed college of Medicine.

   The Program

   Their Certificate in Clinical Research program is a short 15-credit program that takes 1-2 years to complete. The content from this program is largely drawn from their master’s program and includes courses like: Intro to Clinical Trials, Pharmaceutical Law, and Fundamentals of Compliance.

   For students who want to continue their education after earning their certificate, they may be able to apply credits earned in the certificate program toward earning their MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management degree (CROM).

   The CROM online master’s in clinical research program is 36 credit hours and takes 2-3 years to complete. Distance learners will be happy to hear that there are no on-campus or residency requirements. This is a bit of a unique master’s program in that there is no required thesis and no fixed curriculum.

   Students work one-on-one with an advisor to create a custom curriculum plan that is perfectly suited to their goals.

   The MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program is also a 36 credit hour program that takes 2-3 years. It’s very similar to the CROM degree but is specifically for those already working in the healthcare industry. It is also very heavy on research and requires at least 9 hours a week of research to be presented in the form of a journal.

   Click here to learn more about the admissions process for these programs.

   Find Out More:
   Drexel University

    

4. Rutgers University

   Degree: Master of Science in Clinical Research Management (3 tracks)
   Tuition (in-state): $1,009 per credit
   Tuition (out-of-state): $1,050 per credit

   The School

   Rutgers is one of the few American universities that predates the founding of our nation. Beginning in 1766, the university was founded by the son of Benjamin Franklin and originally known as Queen’s College. In 1825, the college was renamed Rutgers in honor of Revolutionary War hero Henry Rutgers.

   Over the years, the school faced multiple shutdowns and other challenges, but overcame all obstacles and remains one of the top universities in the country.

   Today, Rutgers has over 67,600 students and close to a whopping billion dollars ($929.3M) worth of research grants and programs. As a top research institution, its mission comprises three distinct and yet interconnected components:

   – “Providing for the instructional needs of New Jersey’s residents through its undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs”
   – “Conducting the innovative research that contributes to the medical, environmental, social, and cultural well-being of the state, as well as aiding the economy and the state’s businesses and industries.”
   – “Performing public service in support of the needs of the residents of the state and its local, county, and state governments.”

   The Program

   The Master’s in Clinical Research Management program presides within Rutger’s School of Health Professionals. It offers three different tracks of study, Clinical Research Management, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance, or Academic Clinical Research Management. All tracks feature a cohort model to help facilitate positive networking with other students.

   The first two tracks benefit those who already have experience in research. Both of these two program can take about 2-3 years and courses are 100% online and mostly asynchronous. These programs finish with a Capstone Project that can be either experiential or research-based.

   The third track is for students who do not have research experience but who are interested in coordinating research studies. This is a purely full-time track and will take around 1.5 years to complete. There is a heavy emphasis in experiential learning throughout the program and there are three courses that must take place on-campus.

   For admission, you must submit: undergrad transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose.

   Find Out More:
   Rutgers University

    

5. The George Washington University

   Degrees: BSHS in Clinical Research Administration; Dual BSHS/MSHS; MSHS in Clinical and Translational Research
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $661-$1,345 per credit

   The School

   The history of The George Washington University begins in 1821. The University’s namesake, George Washington, had been adamant about the importance of creating a college in the capital city of his new nation. At his passing, he left shares of The Potomac Company for the purpose of establishing such a university. While this didn’t end up happening at that time, in 1821 Reverend Luther Rice picked up the charge and began Columbian College—today known as The George Washington University.

   Today the institution has a total enrollment of over 26,000 students hailing from all over the country and all over the world. Still rooted in its original vision, “The mission of the George Washington University is to educate individuals in liberal arts, languages, sciences, learned professions, and other courses and subjects of study, and to conduct scholarly research and publish the findings of such research.”

   The Programs

   The MSHS in Clinical and Translational Research degree at GW is a 36 credit degree that takes an average of 24 months to complete. It’s offered 100% online and prepares students to “provide cutting- edge health care solutions.” Students will take a 30 credit core of classes like Clinical Investigation, Foundations in Clinical and Translational Research, and Epidemiology Translational Research. They will then select six elective credit hours with the help of their program director.

   The BSHS in Clinical Research Administration is an online bachelor’s degree that provides expertise to begin a career in clinical research. The program is 60 total credits, 100% online, and can take as little as two years for full-time students with transfer credit. While the specific program is only 60 credits, students will need to have a total of 120 credits in order to earn a full bachelor’s degree.

   Students at GW also have the unique option of taking the MSHS/BSHS Dual Enrollment program. In this program, undergrad students are able to take nine credit hours worth of graduate courses while still in their undergrad BSHS program. This allows them to get a jump-start on their master’s program while paying the lower undergrad tuition rate for master’s level courses.

   Click here for more information about the GW application process.

   Find Out More:
   The George Washington University

    

6. Ohio State University

   Degree: Clinical Research Management Certificate
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $3,283 per course

   Degree: Master of Science in Clinical Research
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $13,100 per semester

   The School

   Ohio State University, initially founded in a farming community, used to be the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. The first class graduated in 1878, and that same year the name was changed to The Ohio State University. Today, OSU has 6 different campuses and boasts a total enrollment of over 65,000 students.

   OSU’s vision is to be “the model 21st century public, land grant, research, urban, community-engaged institution.” The shared values that drive the OSU toward this vision are: excellence & impact, diversity & innovation, inclusion & equity, care & compassion, and integrity & respect.

   The University’s College of Nursing hosts two options for Clinical Research: a graduate-level certificate as well as a full Master’s program.

   The Programs

   The certificate program is in a 100% online asynchronous format and is 12 credits long. Most students will complete the coursework in just three semesters. This program benefits students with a bachelor’s degree in a related field who want to expand their current healthcare career into the realm of research. Students will take three core courses—Responsible Conduct of Research, Fundamentals of Medical Product Development & Regulation, and Clinical Research Study & Site Management—as well as one elective course.

   The Master of Clinical Research program at OSU is very prestigious. In fact, it’s one of only two online programs in the country to awarded accreditation by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Students from any undergrad background can emerge from this program with the training necessary to be a leader in clinical research.

   Students begin the program with 21 credits of core courses followed by 12 credits of specialization courses and a final project. Those in the MCR program can choose to specialize in either Clinical Research Management or Regulatory Affairs. All coursework is 100% online and can take around 1-2 years to complete.

   Prospective students can click here to learn more about admission requirements for the certificate program and here to learn more about admission requirements for the master’s program.

   Find Out More:
   Ohio State University

    

7. Georgetown University

   Degree: Master of Science in Clinical & Translational Research
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $28,320 per semester

   Degree: Graduate Certificate in Clinical & Translational Research
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $2,360 per credit

   The School

   Georgetown University was founded in 1789 by future Archbishop of Baltimore, John Carroll. The college grew alongside the young new nation of America and awarded its first degrees in 1817. It outlived many difficult times and kept blossoming into one of the leading global research institutes with over 22,000 students and five campuses.

   With all its growth, the University never lost sight of its Catholic and Jesuit foundations and seeks to hold to the Jesuit tradition of “cura personlis.” This refers to a profound care for each person as a whole.

   Georgetown is passionate about the education of the mind, but is also committed to seeing and treating each student as a whole person who has unique “circumstances, concerns, and gifts.”

   The Programs

   The Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research program at Georgetown is a 33 credit program that will take most students 1-2 years to complete. While being 100% online, students will log-in at set times to enjoy live classes with faculty and peers. Students are able to select an area of specialization from three different options: Clinical Trials & Research, Health Disparities & Community Engagement, and Mechanistic & Biomedical Research. In addition to the core courses and specialization courses, students will complete a 3-5 credit capstone research project.

   Georgetown also offers a shorter 16-credit Certificate in Clinical and Translational Research. In this program, students will take four core courses, one elective course, and complete one independent study project. This certificate program is also completed 100% online with live class time. Dedicated students can complete the program in less than a year.

   The University offers this helpful chart for those trying to decide between the certificate and the master’s program. Prospective students should be prepared to submit: bachelor’s degree transcripts, a resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

   Find Out More:
   Georgetown University

    

8. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

   Degree: Master of Science in Clinical Research
   Tuition (in-state): $9,558 for 9-14 credits; $1,593 per credit after 14 credits
   Tuition (out-of-state): $14,790 for 9-14 credits; $2,465 per credit after 14 credits

   Degree: Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $1,107 per credit

   The School

   The University of Minnesota was founded in 1851—a whole seven years before Minnesota officially became a state. Though it had a bit of a slow start and had to briefly close for seven years during the Civil War, it stayed the course. By 1873, the school handed out diplomas to the first two graduates.

   Today the university is thriving with over 50,000 students and is one of only 5 American institutes to offer an engineering school, medical school, law school veterinary medicine school, and an agriculture school on one campus.

   The vision of the university sums up in one word: excellence. Their mission is one of “world- class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach while being unified in [their] drive to serve Minnesota.”

   The Programs

   Both the MS in Clinical Research and the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research preside within the School of Public Health. The MS degree specifically benefits those who already have an advanced health degree and have secured a faculty mentor to help them through the program. The minimum education requirement for this program is a master’s in nursing. The certificate program is a bit more friendly to newcomers, but still requires a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of research experience.

   The MS clinical research program is 38 credits and entirely online. Students will take a flexible schedule of courses that culminate with a 6-10 credit capstone project. The capstone is extremely rigorous, “must reflect work on the design, application, and analysis of a research project,” and must be submitted for an oral defense.

   The clinical research certificate program online is 16 credits. It benefits those already working in the healthcare industry who want to learn how to create and conduct clinical research studies. Students will take courses like Fundamentals of Clinical Research, Biostatistics, and Ethics in Public Health. Students are welcome to take the program on either a full-time or part-time basis.

   In addition to the above admissions requirements, applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts, a resume, 1-3 letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

   Find Out More:
   University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

    

Become a Certified Clinical Research Professional

Are you passionate about healthcare? Do you want to be a part of discovering the latest in medicine? Then becoming a certified clinical research professional is a wonderful move. After earning your degree and/or getting lots of hands-on experience, you can become a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) though the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).

SOCRA has globally accepted standards of excellence for research specialists and is a great way to showcase your expertise. After earning a clinical research degree and having at least 1,750 hours of clinical experience, you can take SOCRA’s certification exam and earn your CCRP credentials upon the successful completion of the exam.

Find Your Masters Online with GetEducated

We know we threw a lot at you—there’s a lot of options out there!

Whether you’re a recent high school grad just looking to get started in the field, or a seasoned healthcare professional, we hope your big takeaway is that there are clinical research degree online options just for you.

There will always be a need for compassionate scientists to keep tirelessly working towards improving the health of others. Just imagine the thrill of being on the forefront of testing new medication that can save lives! Your gifts and passions are necessary and can forever change the health landscape of the world.

If you want to learn more about this and other online degrees, check out GetEducated to read all about the amazing online options that are available for you!