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  • Online Master’s in Clinical Research Management, Organization, & Administration

    MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management

    Drexel University’s nationally ranked College of Medicine offers an accredited online Master’s in Clinical Research Organization and Management degree program. Taught by industry experts, this Master’s in Clinical Research is tailored for experienced research professionals seeking credentials and clinical management skills.

    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 requirements
    • Courses are led by distinguished researchers, administrators, lawyers, and scientists with extensive experience in clinical research
    • Flexible course plans cater to your career goals
    • Well-rounded, accredited curriculum which combines seven tracks of study
    • Management training covers key organizational and administrative skills for high-level professionals
    • Uses a simple, easy-to-use interactive online format that caters to active and at-work clinical researchers

    What is a Clinical Research Management Graduate Program?

    The online Master’s in Clinical Research Organization and Management degree is a 36-semester credit (12 course) non-thesis fully online program. Organized into seven areas of clinical research study, you will have the opportunity to expand your clinical research and related administrative and regulatory knowledge. Yet, unlike most clinical research graduate programs, there is no fixed curriculum. Instead, you'll work with your advisor to customize a relevant course plan to meet your specific career goals.

    Master’s in Clinical Research Organization AND Management Program Requirements: Areas of Study

    • 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

    What Will I Learn?

    Clinical Research is a branch of healthcare science. It studies the safety and efficacy of a wide array of items used by humans to prevent, treat, diagnose, or relieve symptoms of a disease. As a result, clinical researchers may test things such as medications, devices, diagnostic products, and treatment regimens.

    The biomedical, pharmaceutical, defense, medical device, and diagnostic industries need highly-trained professionals capable of overseeing a broad range of research projects. Drexel’s Master’s in Clinical Research program can help you develop an advanced skill set to manage the conduct of clinical investigations, while introducing you to relevant business, legal, and ethical issues.

    There are no standard required courses for the online MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management program. You’ll be able to choose from courses that are essential and will help you to develop as a broadly-educated and well-prepared professional. At the same time, you’ll be ready to thrive in clinical research and new therapeutic product investigation. You may take courses in:

    • A preferred area of study
    • A cross-section of courses within other areas of study
    • Any other clinical research online courses being offered

    Learn from the Best – Faculty Spotlight

    Professors like Dennis Salotti provide guidance and expertise to students at all phases of the program.

    Program Outcomes

    Depending on your plan of study, you’ll complete your Master’s Degree in Clinical Research Organization and Management at Drexel with essential skills and knowledge such as:

    • Be able to successfully apply research frameworks and philosophies to clinical trials management
    • Understand how to employ quality principles of current good clinical practices to produce valid and useful data
    • Make use of current statistical knowledge and methods in the design, implementation, conduct, and assessment of clinical trial management
    • Know how to ensure sound ethical principles and values are always recognized and upheld in research

    Will this program prepare me for ACRP and SOCRA certification?

    Drexel’s clinical research master’s degree program can help in your preparation for the ACRP or SOCRA certification. To be ACRP certified, a Clinical Research Associate is expected to have proficiency in the six (6) main content areas of clinical research:

    Content Area

    Percentage of Items on Exam

    Scientific Concepts and Research Design

    12%

    Ethical and Participant Safety Considerations

    20%

    Product Development and Regulation

    10%

    Clinical Trial Operations (GCPs)

    25%

    Study and Site Management

    23%

    Data Management and Informatics

    10%

     

    Since we offer courses that cover these six content areas, you can attain the knowledge necessary to be eligible to sit for ACRP or SOCRA certification. That stated, our program intentionally does not have a core set of required courses. So, if sitting for this exam is your goal, we can help you to map out a suitable study plan.

    What Can I Do with a Clinical Research Master’s Degree?

    Graduates of our online clinical research master’s degree program may pursue a variety of career paths and job titles within the wider pharmaceutical, research and development industries. To enter the field, some jobs may require a bachelor’s degree, though a master’s degree with a focus in clinical research administration may be preferable. Students planning a career as medical scientists often need either a Ph.D. or medical degree.

    By today’s standards, clinical research management is a fast-growing field. Clinical Data Managers (CDMs) apply their knowledge of healthcare and databases to analyze clinical data. They work to ensure the testing of new medical drugs and products are ethical, compliant, and adhere to protocols.

    Other reported clinical research job titles include: Clinical Program Coordinator, Clinical Program Manager, Clinical Research Administrator, Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Manager, Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, Clinical Trial Coordinator, Clinical Trial Manager, and Research Coordinator.

    The chart below outlines some of the recent clinical research–related workforce data. Most individuals work in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Sector which requires a high degree of expertise and training.

    Career Path

    Potential Candidates in the Workforce

    Direct Employers Currently Competing

    Open Jobs Posted by Direct Employers

    Average Posting Duration

    Research Scientist

    1,260,000

    9,307

    55,162

    34

    Medical Scientist

    111,000

    2,134

    20,280

    41

    Clinical Research Coordinator

    5,400

    350

    1,560

    37

    Clinical Research Associate

    13,000

    263

    1,506

    34

    How Long Does it Take to Earn a Master’s in Clinical Research?

    On average, you can complete the online MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management degree program in 2 to 3 years.

    How Much Do Clinical Research Managers Make?

    Recent reports show that Clinical Data Managers earned an average annual salary of $84,060. However, salaries can fluctuate for a number of reasons. These include a candidate’s experience, education level, job title, and location.

    The chart below shows several clinical research career paths and salary averages for 2017.

    Career Path

    Median Annual Salary

    Source

    Medical Scientist

    $82,090

    BLS

    Clinical Research Coordinator

    $118,970

    Clinical Data Manager

    $84,060

    Clinical Trials Manager

    $97,416

    Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

    $63,315

    Archived Webinar

    Related Programs

    Drexel University offers several other online clinical research master’s and certificate programs designed to match your career goals:

    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

    The Master of Science in Clinical Research Organization and Management program consists of 12 courses (36 credits.) Any courses offered by the Clinical Research Organization Management program may be applied to fulfill the requirements of this major. No master's thesis is required.

    The program is organized into seven areas of study devoted to clinical research and related administrative and regulatory issues. You may take courses within your preferred area of study, a cross-section of courses within other areas of study, or any other Clinical Research (CR) courses being offered.

    Learn more about how Drexel's courses align with the competency domains identified by the Joint Taskforce for Clinical Trial Competency.

    New Product Research and Development  
    CR 515S
    Intro to Clinical Trials 3.0
    CR 525S
    Scientific Writing and Medical Literature 3.0 
    CR 600S
    Designing the Clinical Trial 3.0 
    CR 609S
    Innovative Product Development 3.0 
    CR 614S
    Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology 3.0 
    CR 620S
    Regulatory, Scientific, and Social Issues Affecting Biotech Research 3.0 
    Compliance and Safety Surveillance  
    CR 555S
    Compliance & Monitoring Issues 3.0
    CR 570S
    Principles and Practice of Pharmacovigilance 3.0 
    CR 612S
    Fundamentals of Compliance 3.0 
    CR 633S
    Quaility Assurance Audits 3.0 
    Ethics and Law  
    CR 505S
    Ethical Issues in Research 3.0
    CR 511S
    The History of Misconduct in Biomedical Research 3.0 
    CR 545S
    Pharmaceutical Law 3.0 
    CR 565S
    Contemporary Issues in Human Research Protection 3.0 
    CR 639S
    Healthcare Inequities in Biomedical Research 3.0 
    Regulatory  
    CR 501S
    Emerging Trends in Medical Device Regulations 3.0
    CR 508S
    Medical Devices and Combination Products 3.0 
    CR 514S
    World Wide Regulatory Submissions 3.0
    CR 523S
    Current Issues in Review Boards 3.0 
    CR 535S
    Current Federal Regulatory Issues in Biomedical Research 3.0 
    CR 551S
    International Regulatory Affairs 3.0 
    CR 573S
    Patient Generated Data in Clinical Research 3.0 
    Biostatistics and Data Management  
    CR 500S
    Epidemiology 3.0
    CR 520S
    Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics 3.0 
    CR 527S
    Clinical Data Management 3.0 
    CR 571S
    Health Information Technology in Biomedical R&D 3.0 
    CR 631S
    Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics II 3.0 
    Clinical Research Management  
    CR 510S
    Sponsored Projects Finance 3.0 
    CR 512S
    Fundamentals of Academic Research Administration 3.0 
    CR 536S
    Clinical Project Management 3.0 
    CR 541S
    Patient Recruitment & Informed Consent 3.0 
    CR 550S
    Leadership Skills 3.0 
    CR 637S
    Risk Management in Clinical Research 3.0 
    New Therapeutic Product Business and Strategic Planning  
    CR 513S
    Business Processes and Contemporary Concerns in Pharmaceutical R & D 3.0 
    CR 518S
    Clinical Trial Budgeting 3.0 
    CR 546S
    Clinical Outsourcing 3.0 
    CR 617S
    Informatics in Pharm Res & Development 3.0 
    CR 625S
    Health Policy and Economics 3.0 
    CR 635S
    Strategic Planning 3.0 
    Total Credits 36.0

    View Course Descriptions

    Admissions Criteria

    • 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 the degree
    • Resume
    • Additional requirements for International Students

    A telephone interview may be required as part of the admission process

    Tuition

    The tuition rate for the academic year 2024-2025 is $1344 per credit.

    For the academic year 2024-2025, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Special tuition rates available for Drexel University AlumniMilitary 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

    2024-2025 Academic Year

    Term

    Classes Begin

    Classes End

    Fall 2024

    August 19, 2024

    December 13, 2024

    Spring 2025

    January 6, 2025

    May 2, 2025

    Summer 2025

    May 12, 2025

    August 1, 2025

     

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