Clinical Research

  What is Clinical Research?

Clinical research is the process by which drugs, devices, biologics, and medical procedures are tested for safety and effectiveness in human subjects.  Clinical research professionals assist investigators and clinical researchers in testing and evaluating these products and procedures. Clinical research professionals can work at a pharmaceutical company, a medical device company, a clinical research organization, a medical center, or an institutional review board.

  Success Factors

Students who succeed in the clinical research program are precise, detail-oriented professionals who have excellent written and oral communication skills.  They enjoy science, produce quality work, and can multi-task and meet deadlines. 

  Career Possibilities

Clinical research skills form the foundation for a career in clinical research coordination, clinical research monitoring, clinical data management, and regulatory affairs. With the rapid growth in medical device and new drug development, an increasing number of career opportunities continue to evolve in clinical research. Many Cincinnati-area pharmaceutical and device companies and clinical facilities are in need of clinical research professionals to facilitate the conduct of clinical trials. Job titles of careers established by past graduates include:

Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical Research Monitor

Project Manager

Regulatory Administrator

Clinical Research Manager 

  Majoring in Clinical Research

This program in clinical research is a one-year certificate program designed to provide individuals who already have earned a bachelor’s degree with skills needed for a career as a clinical research professional.

The program combines the medical science background necessary to understand the basis of clinical trials with courses detailing global regulations and mechanisms of clinical trials. Subject areas emphasized in the program include the approval processes for new drugs and medical and diagnostic devices, and the role of the IRB, clinical study coordinator, the clinical research associate, data management personnel, and regulatory personnel. These courses serve as an excellent review for individuals currently employed in the clinical research field.

Clinical research courses detail ethical considerations and international and U.S. Guidelines for Good Clinical Practices. Additionally, courses will cover preparation for the initiation of a clinical study and describe study design rationales, protocols, data collection, and documentation. Management of a clinical trial by the clinical site and the sponsor or company are also compared. Health science courses required by this program include Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, and Clinical Outcomes Measurements.  Advanced standing may be awarded to students who have already completed some of these courses.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Autumn Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
The Drug Development Process	28CLRS407	1
Regulations for Clinical Trials	28CLRS401	4
Anatomy and Physiology I	28BIOL201	4
.
TOTAL		9

 Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Mechanisms of Clinical Trials I	28CLRS402	4
Introduction to Pharmacology	28BIOL386	3
Anatomy and Physiology II	28BIOL202	4
.
TOTAL		11

 Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Mechanisms of Clinical Trials II	28CLRS403	4
Clinical Outcomes Measurements	28CLRS404	3
Anatomy and Physiology III	28BIOL203	4
Microbiology	28BIOL281	5
.
TOTAL		16

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students who enroll in the clinical research certificate program may expect to enter the clinical research field upon completion of the program and earn a professional-level salary. The program coordinator is available to aid students in selecting and scheduling courses, evaluating career goals and identifying employment opportunities. All courses are available in the evening, making it convenient for working students.

Students will receive direction from many CRAs, study coordinators and clinical trial directors from clinical research facilities and firms as they serve as guest speakers in the program.  Because work experience is an important criterion for employment, students have the opportunity to participate in an internship experience at local clinical research organizations, pharmaceutical and device firms or clinical facilities.

  Admission Requirements

Students are eligible to enroll in the clinical research professional certificate program if they have received a baccalaureate degree (BS, BA or BSN) and have taken the following classes: one year general biology, one year general chemistry, one semester organic chemistry and statistics or college mathematics. These courses may also be taken at Raymond Walters College as part of the program.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States and do not have permanent residence in the United States must take the TOEFL.  The program require a minimum overall TOEFL score of 515 (paper-based test) or 187 (computer-based test) or 66 (internet-based test).  Those with permanent residency must take the math and English placement test.

  Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the degree, students must fulfill the requirements of the program and must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

  Application Deadlines

Students may enter the program during any quarter.  Many courses are sequential, however, and are offered only one quarter per academic year.  Entering during the winter or spring quarter may extend the length of the program.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Cincinnati Raymond Walters College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.