Neuroscience Graduate Certificate
July 1, 2026
August 25, 2026
Deep dive into the field of neuroscience with an online certificate in neuroscience
Ohio State’s online neuroscience certificate program provides an in-depth and comprehensive look at cognitive processes, abilities, and diseases within the human body. In addition to content focused on neuroscience fundamentals and how neurological research impacts healthcare and society, the online neuroscience courses teach you how to interact and apply neuroscience to your everyday life and keep up-to-date in this ever-advancing field.
Beyond traditional medical and biological applications, neuroscience is applicable to fields of marketing, law, finance, engineering, and manufacturing. This program offers a unique opportunity to acquire specialized neuroscience knowledge without committing to a full degree.
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"I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me."
Tomitha Zimmerman Ohio State Online Grad -
"While going into the program, I was concerned that by Ohio State being one of the largest institutions, I would feel like one in 1,000 students. Instead, I felt a sense of close-knit, connected support from both classmates and faculty."
Stephanie Moore Ohio State Online Grad -
"Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program."
Derek Danek Ohio State Online Grad -
"I attribute my recent two promotions to educating myself at Ohio State. I really think that getting the coursework done helped me excel at my current position, and it was recognized."
Demi MacLennan Ohio State Online Grad -
"Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others."
Cara North Ohio State Online Grad -
"As an online student, there's so many connections you can make that will have a really meaningful impact on your education. The opportunities that exist at Ohio State feel limitless."
Audra Hanners Ohio State Online Grad
Frequently Asked Questions
Designed for professionals and pre-professionals with a strong science background, the online graduate certificate in neuroscience offers a flexible pathway to advance your career. Whether you’re a laboratory technician, healthcare administrator, or sales professional, a deeper understanding of the brain can open new opportunities. This program is ideal for nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists seeking to expand their knowledge of brain function and disease. The online format accommodates busy schedules, allowing you to learn at your own pace. With this certificate, you will gain the neuroscience expertise you need to excel in your field without committing to a full degree.
An online neuroscience certificate offers distinct advantages over a concentrated degree. Its focused curriculum allows for quicker completion, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to expedite their career advancement within the field. Additionally, the flexibility in scheduling and the generally lower cost compared to a full degree make certificates attractive to working professionals. Furthermore, certificates provide in-depth knowledge and professional development of specific neuroscience areas without the broad scope of a degree program, catering to individuals with defined career goals.
Our online college provides a variety of resources to support your academic success. These include virtual tutoring services, online writing centers, and academic advising through video calls or chat. Additionally, we offer webinars and workshops on study skills, time management, and exam preparation. You can access a wealth of digital resources, such as research databases, e-books, and academic journals, through our online library portal. For personalized assistance, faculty members are available during virtual office hours.
Yes, this online program is fully asynchronous, meaning you can log in to view instructional materials and complete your work whenever it is best for your schedule.
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Academic Calendar
This certificate enrolls for each Autumn term.
Academic Calendar
This certificate enrolls for each Autumn term.
Admission Criteria
To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
In special circumstances a lower GPA but strong relevant work or professional experience will be considered. This program is best suited for individuals with a strong background in biology, chemistry, neuroscience or physics or have demonstrated professional experience in a neuroscience-related field.
For your application, you will be required to submit:
- College transcript(s)
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
The field of neuroscience is evolving rapidly, fueled by technological advancements and a deeper understanding of brain function. As a result, professionals with neuroscience expertise are in high demand across sectors like healthcare, research, technology, and business.
This certificate program offers valuable education and training for professionals in both medical and related fields. Health and medical managers, healthcare support staff, clinical laboratory technologists, clinical research coordinators, nurses, and physical or occupational therapists will gain essential insights into cutting-edge neuroscientific developments, helping to improve patient care and treatment outcomes. Additionally, those in consulting, science communication, data analysis, and scientific sales or manufacturing will benefit from a deeper understanding of neuroscience, enabling them to drive innovation in equipment and assay innovation, as well as enhancing client and public relations.
By completing this certificate, professionals are equipped with the knowledge to stay ahead of neuroscience advancements, enhancing their impact and effectiveness in their respective industries.
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Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
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Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
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- Entry Level: $36,410
- Mid Level: $58,040
- Senior Level: $100,620
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Bright
Projected Growth
6.3%
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Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.
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Schedule subjects for appointments, procedures, or inpatient stays as required by study protocols. Perform specific protocol procedures such as interviewing subjects, taking vital signs, and performing electrocardiograms. Assess eligibility of potential subjects through methods such as screening interviews, reviews of medical records, or discussions with physicians and nurses.
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- Entry Level: $79,830
- Mid Level: $161,180
- Senior Level:
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Bright
Projected Growth
7.5%
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Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.
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Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software. Apply feature selection algorithms to models predicting outcomes of interest, such as sales, attrition, and healthcare use. Apply sampling techniques to determine groups to be surveyed or use complete enumeration methods.
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Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients. Complete and maintain necessary records. Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
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Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.
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Maintain complete and detailed records of patients' health care plans and prognoses. Develop treatment plans, based on scientific rationale, standards of care, and professional practice guidelines. Provide patients with information needed to promote health, reduce risk factors, or prevent disease or disability.
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Projected Growth
46.3%
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Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
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Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height. Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies. Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
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Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
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Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel. Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports. Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
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Projected Growth
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Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment. Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships. Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
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National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. An up or down arrow indicates projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
Our curriculum provides a solid foundation in neuroscience fundamentals, including four required core courses and three elective courses, all delivered asynchronously so you can complete the coursework on your schedule. The program is designed for completion in three semesters, finishing in the summer. However, an accelerated two-semester track is available, allowing you to graduate in the spring.
Throughout the program you’ll explore the link between neuroscience and real-world applications through courses in clinical neurology and science communication. In your elective courses you will delve deeper into specific areas such as brain function, neurological disorders, imaging techniques, research methodologies, the history of neuroscience, or the societal implications of this field. All courses are accelerated and are 7 to 8 weeks in length. Below is a curriculum outline for all three semesters.
Within your first semester, you will take two core courses and the option to take one elective course. Each course is 7 weeks long.
First part of a two-course series on neuroscience fundamentals. Covers cellular structures, neurophysiology, protein/genetic contributions, and neurotransmitter function. Includes contemporary applications of these concepts to neurological diseases.
2 Credit Hours
Second part of the neuroscience fundamentals series. Builds on cellular knowledge to examine structural and functional systems. Covers brain and spinal cord anatomy in relation to body function and peripheral nervous system elements underlying human behavior.
2 Credit Hours
Covers neural control of voluntary movement from neuromuscular junction to primary motor cortex, including influential regions like basal ganglia and cerebellum. Addresses deficits resulting from damage to these regions.
2 Credit Hours
In your second semester, you will take two core courses and have the option to take three elective courses. Each course is 7 weeks long. If you would like to complete the program in two semesters you will need to complete three out of the four elective offerings between autumn and spring semester to complete the program in the spring.
Examines biological bases of neurological diseases through sessions taught by clinical experts. Focuses on pathological and behavioral changes used in diagnosis, contemporary disease theories, biomarker advancement, and novel treatments.
2 Credit Hours
Explores methods of communicating neuroscience across various media formats including journal articles, news reports, social media, and podcasts. Examines the effectiveness of different communication types and provides practice in science communication strategies.
3 Credit Hours
Introduces neuroimaging principles, technologies, and applications. Covers CT, MRI, and advanced techniques like spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, PET, and fMRI. Explores clinical and research applications and human neuroanatomy.
2 Credit Hours
Examines the societal impact of neuroscience beyond clinical and laboratory settings. Addresses ethical considerations in neural therapies, enhancement, and changing self-perception. Integrates multidisciplinary perspectives on past, present, and future neuroscience practice.
2 Credit Hours
Focuses on experimental design, research question development, and hypothesis formation. Introduces modern research techniques including transgenic models, animal behaviors, cellular culture, microscopy, gene therapy, and neuromodulation.
2 Credit Hours
If you are following the three semester completion timeline, in the summer you will have the option to take one of the core courses and final elective courses of your choice. Summer courses are 8 weeks long.
Explores methods of communicating neuroscience across various media formats including journal articles, news reports, social media, and podcasts. Examines the effectiveness of different communication types and provides practice in science communication strategies.
3 Credit Hours
Introduces neurotrauma causes, effects on the central nervous system, and patient care. Features guest lectures on topics such as addiction, cognitive dysfunction, inflammation, policy implications, and systemic effects.
2 Credit Hours
Examines historical foundations and paradigm shifts in neuroscience, from early neuroanatomy to modern discoveries. Connects historical knowledge to contemporary developments in the field.
2 Credit Hours
Program Faculty
All courses are designed and lead by expert faculty from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Within this program, you will interact with research, educational, and clinical faculty.
Sara Gombash Lampe, PhD
Program Director, Assistant Professor- Clinical, Department of Neuroscience
Sara Gombash Lampe, PhD is a dedicated researcher and educator passionate about advancing the field of neuroscience. She is proud to be a part of the Department of Neuroscience, renowned for its groundbreaking research and collaborative environment. Ohio State’s neuroscience programs, including the Neuroscience Graduate Certificate, align with her commitment to both scientific discovery and mentorship. Her current role provides ample opportunities to shape future generations of neuroscientists through curriculum development and beyond.
Georgia Bishop, PhD
Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Neuroscience
Kris Martens, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Martin Fitzgerald, PhD
Assistant Professor, Division of Bioethics
Stephanie Muscat, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Giles Plant, PhD
Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Nick Fetko, MD
Assistant Professor, Neuroradiology
Testimonials
See what our students and alumni have to say about their experience at The Ohio State University.
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program.
| Tuition Fees | Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) |
|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $829.75 |
| General Fee | $32.63 |
| Program Fee | $11.00 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) |
| International Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.
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