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Online Master’s in Clinical Research for Health Professionals
Classes Begin: January 5, 20262-4 years
Fully Online
36
No GRE, thesis, on-campus, or residency requirement
MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals
Drexel University’s nationally ranked College of Medicine offers an accredited online Master’s in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program. A non-thesis, fully online graduate degree program, this clinical research MS program is uniquely designed for residents, fellows, clinicians, and other health professionals.
Many of our online MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals students are physicians in a fellowship program and research nurses. Typically, they are seeking to finish their research and develop their clinical careers.
Program at a Glance
- Semester Credits: 36 credits
- Average Completion Time: 2 to 3 years
- You may take up to 7 years to complete the program
- No thesis, on-campus, or residency requirement
- Courses are led by distinguished researchers, administrators, lawyers, and scientists with extensive experience in clinical research
- Curriculum melds quantitative principles with an understanding of research processes and administration
- Uses a simple, easy-to-use, interactive online format that caters to active and at-work clinical researchers
What is a MS in Clinical Research for Physicians & Health Professionals?
The online Master’s in Clinical Research for Health Professionals at Drexel is a 36-semester credit (12 course) program. It prepares health professionals, like you, with an extensive study and understanding of the scientific, ethical, and regulatory aspects of clinical research. Many students complete the requirements of the online clinical research master’s degree in just 2 to 3 years.
What Will I Study?
The clinical research for health professionals curriculum provides access to a wide range of courses, while giving you an opportunity to grow your confidence in scientific writing and research. This format can help you gain some vital hands-on experience as you apply knowledge to interpret and present the findings of clinical research.
Apart from choosing a total of 5 courses, the MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program requires you to conduct at least 9 hours of research per week (3 credits per semester). At the end of each semester, you’ll document your research and progress through a 7-10-page journal format paper.
As an online clinical research graduate student, you will also earn additional real-world clinical experience through a comprehensive mentored research project. A key requirement of this mentored research is the support of a doctoral-level (MD/PhD) mentor/advisor located at the institution where your research will be conducted.
This is not a sub-investigator or clinical research associate working for a principal investigator. Rather, under the guidance of your mentor, you’ll work to develop an original research proposal. Most of the fellows in the MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program have their research published in medical journals.
Learn with the Best – Student Testimonial
Alumni like Anthony Weekes are spearheading change in the clinical research field every day.
What is the difference between an MS in Clinical Research Management vs Clinical Research for Health Professionals?
The MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals features required courses, writing, and independent research. It meets the needs of health professionals, fellows, and clinicians engaged in research or who want to add these skills to their clinical career.
By comparison, depending on your plan of study, Drexel’s MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management may meet the needs of professionals and clinicians who want to develop clinical management and leadership skills. Since it does not have core requirements, you will work with an advisor to craft a personalized study plan. When chosen carefully, the courses in the clinical research organization and management program can also serve as preparation for several industry certifications such as the Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA).
The chart below itemizes other similarities and differentiators between Drexel’s online MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management and the MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals programs.
MS – Clinical Research Organization and Management (CROM)
MS – Clinical Research for Health Professionals (CRHP)
12 courses, 36 credits
12 courses, 36 credits
No master’s thesis or residency
No master’s thesis or residency
No core curriculum – take courses within:
- A preferred area of study
- A cross-section of courses within other areas
- Any clinical research (CR) courses offered
Core requirements are flexible:
- Courses relate to scientific, ethical, and regulatory aspects of clinical research
- Opportunity for additional real-world clinical experience through a comprehensive mentored research project
Program organized around 7 areas of study devoted to clinical research and related administrative and regulatory issues:
- New Product Research and Development
- Compliance and Safety Surveillance
- Ethics and Law
- Regulatory Affairs
- Biostatistics and Data Management
- Clinical Research Management
- New Therapeutic Product Business and Strategic Planning
Program organized around 7 areas of study from which you choose courses to fulfill requirements of each section (15 credits), plus:
- Research/ Journal Paper (min 21 credits)
- Conduct a minimum of 9 hours research/week for 3 credits per semester
Tailored for experienced research professionals seeking credentials and clinical management skills
Tailored for residents, fellows, clinicians, and research nurses seeking knowledge in the conduct of translational and pharmaceutical research
Work with an advisor to customize your study plan
Apply coursework principles to an individual research experience at your institution under the guidance of a local mentor
Outcomes may include an advanced skill set to manage the conduct of clinical investigations, and familiarity with relevant business, legal, and ethical issues
Most of the fellows in the MS CRHP program have their research published in medical journals
The CRHP degree often acts as an advanced preparation for independent investigators and other practicing researchers familiar with the industry, and may develop your clinical career
Completion time frame: 2-3 years
Completion time frame: 2-3 years
Program leaders are distinguished researchers, administrators, lawyers, and scientists with extensive experience in clinical research
Program leaders are distinguished researchers, administrators, lawyers, and scientists with extensive experience in clinical research
Interactive and engaging online coursework
Interactive and engaging online coursework
What Can I Do with a Master’s in Clinical Research as a Health Professional?
The online clinical research master’s degree for health professionals often acts as an advanced preparation for independent investigators and other practicing researchers familiar with the industry. Many graduates are seeking to pursue careers in the conduct of translational, pharmaceutical, and/or biotechnology research.
Clinical Research Scientists conduct research that deals with human or animal diseases, preventive methods, and treatments to improve human health. Many also write and publish articles in scientific journals. Some related job titles include Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Pharmacologist, and Senior Research Scientist.
Recent studies indicate the demand for Clinical Research Scientists and Clinical Investigators will grow at a faster than average rate in the next few years. To get started in this broad field usually requires a master’s degree, though there can be distinct requirements for each role.
Master’s in Clinical Research for Fellows & Health Professionals Salary Expectations
Salaries for clinical research professionals vary due to influences such as location, position, education, and experience. Just to give you an idea, nationwide, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinators reported average annual salaries of $161,180 in 2024. In the state of Pennsylvania, for the same year and job title, the average salary was $136,700.
The table below charts the average annual salary (2024) breakdown for some job titles graduates of the MS in Clinical Research for Health Professionals program may strive toward:
Job Title
Average Annual Salary (2024)
Similar Job Titles
$100,590
- Associate Director, Experimental Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacologist
- Investigator; Laboratory Director
- Research Scientist
Related Programs
Drexel University offers several other online clinical research master’s and certificate programs designed to match your career goals:
- MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management
- Certificate of Study in Clinical Research
- Quantitative Principles for Clinical Research Certificate
If you have questions, please contact:
Patricia Cashin
Academic Administrator
215.762.4075
pcc36@drexel.edu
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
Curriculum
Learn more about how Drexel's courses align with the competency domains identified by the Joint Taskforce for Clinical Trial Competency.
| Select three of the following: | 9.0 | |
|
CR 500S
|
Epidemiology | |
|
CR 515S
|
Intro to Clinical Trials | |
|
CR 520S
|
Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics | |
|
CR 525S
|
Scientific Writing and Medical Literature | |
|
CR 545S
|
Pharmaceutical Law | |
|
CR 612S
|
Fundamentals of Compliance | |
| Select two of the following: | 6.0 | |
| New Product Research and Development | ||
|
CR 515S
|
Intro to Clinical Trials | |
|
CR 525S
|
Scientific Writing and Medical Literature | |
|
CR 600S
|
Designing the Clinical Trial | |
|
CR 609S
|
Innovative Product Development | |
|
CR 614S
|
Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology | |
|
CR 620S
|
Regulatory, Scientific, and Social Issues Affecting Biotech Research | |
| Compliance and Safety Surveillance | ||
|
CR 555S
|
Compliance & Monitoring Issues | |
|
CR 570S
|
Principles and Practice of Pharmacovigilance | |
|
CR 612S
|
Fundamentals of Compliance | |
|
CR 633S
|
Quaility Assurance Audits | |
| Ethics and Law | ||
|
CR 505S
|
Ethical Issues in Research | |
|
CR 511S
|
The History of Misconduct in Biomedical Research | |
|
CR 545S
|
Pharmaceutical Law | |
|
CR 565S
|
Contemporary Issues in Human Research Protection | |
|
CR 639S
|
Healthcare Inequities in Biomedical Research | |
| Regulatory | ||
|
CR 501S
|
Emerging Trends in Medical Device Regulations | |
|
CR 508S
|
Medical Devices and Combination Products | |
|
CR 514S
|
World Wide Regulatory Submissions | |
|
CR 523S
|
Current Issues in Review Boards | |
|
CR 535S
|
Current Federal Regulatory Issues in Biomedical Research | |
|
CR 551S
|
International Regulatory Affairs | |
|
CR 573S
|
Patient Generated Data in Clinical Research | |
| Biostatistics and Data Management | ||
|
CR 500S
|
Epidemiology | |
|
CR 520S
|
Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics | |
|
CR 527S
|
Clinical Data Management | |
|
CR 571S
|
Health Information Technology in Biomedical R&D | |
|
CR 631S
|
Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics II | |
| Clinical Research Management | ||
|
CR 510S
|
Sponsored Projects Finance | |
|
CR 512S
|
Fundamentals of Academic Research Administration | |
|
CR 536S
|
Clinical Project Management | |
|
CR 541S
|
Patient Recruitment & Informed Consent | |
|
CR 550S
|
Leadership Skills | |
|
CR 637S
|
Risk Management in Clinical Research | |
| New Therapeutic Product Business and Strategic Planning | ||
|
CR 513S
|
Business Processes and Contemporary Concerns in Pharmaceutical R & D | |
|
CR 518S
|
Clinical Trial Budgeting | |
|
CR 546S
|
Clinical Outsourcing | |
|
CR 617S
|
Informatics in Pharm Res & Development | |
|
CR 625S
|
Health Policy and Economics | |
|
CR 635S
|
Strategic Planning | |
| Research/Journal Paper (min 21.0 credits) | ||
| Conduct a minimum of 9 hours research/week for 3 credits per semester* | 21.0 | |
| CRHP 501S | Research Health Professions I | |
| CRHP 502S | Research Health Professions II | |
| CRHP 503S | Research Health Professions III | |
| CRHP 504S | Research Health Professions IV | |
| CRHP 505S | Research Health Professions V | |
| CRHP 506S | Research Health Professions VI | |
| CRHP 507S | Research Health Professions VII | |
| Total Credits | 36.0 | |
*Research may include a broad spectrum of clinical studies such as: retrospective studies; bench-top studies in conjunction or not with pharmaceutical companies; development of new clinical methodologies/ techniques; or, development/evaluation of new clinical devices.
Research mentors must be established researchers with a doctoral degree. A curriculum vitae of the proposed research mentor must be submitted with your application. The appropriateness of the mentor will be evaluated by an Ad Hoc committee whose members come from both the Office of Professional Studies and the Drexel University College of Medicine faculty.
You must submit a 7-10 page journal-format paper at the end of each semester documenting your research and demonstrating that each successive semester’s work builds upon your prior work. Your research advisor must review and approve the report prior to submission. Contact the program director for additional requirements.
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 is preferred (graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA)
- Those with a lower GPA are encouraged to apply, but should address their academic performance in their essay and ensure that relevant professional experience is included on their resume for evaluation
- At least two years of relevant professional experience
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two professional letters of recommendation
- One from your immediate supervisor and one from another qualified individual (not a peer) who can comment on your ability to succeed in the program
- Essay on past successes, goals and objectives for seeking this degree
- Resume
- CRHP Research Request Form [PDF]
- In addition to this form, you must supply a description of the research project you are proposing, the objectives of the project, your hypothesis, an outline of your planned activities, your research mentor's curriculum vitae and one letter of evaluation from your research mentor. Research mentors must be established researchers with a doctoral degree. The research project itself needs to be a single study of sufficient magnitude to support earning 21 semester credits over the course of the project.
- Additional requirements for International Students
A telephone interview may be required.
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2025-2026 is $1384 per credit.
For the academic year 2025-2026, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
(15 core and elective credits at $1,384/credit, plus 21 research credits at $103/credit for the academic year 2025-26)
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2025-2026 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Fall 2025
August 18, 2025
December 12, 2025
Spring 2026
January 5, 2026
May 1, 2026
Summer 2026
May 11, 2026
August 7, 2026
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