Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate
November 3, 2025
January 12, 2026
Jump start your career in the rapidly expanding field of clinical research
Ohio State’s online Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate prepares healthcare professionals and students in any field to be leaders in the management of human subjects research. With this clinical research certificate, you’ll build a solid foundation in clinical research management and learn how to apply bioethical standards to the medical development and innovation of complex clinical research studies in the healthcare and biopharmaceutical environments.
Coursework for the online Clinical Research Management graduate certificate meets the major competencies established by the Joint Task Force Core Competencies for Clinical Research Professionals.
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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
The certificate program consists of four courses (12 credit hours), and it can be completed in less than a year (three semesters).
Yes. If you choose to continue your education in clinical research, you may transfer 100% of the Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate course credits into Ohio State’s online Master of Clinical Research degree program. Completion of the certificate program does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.
Yes, this program is 100% online, offering flexibility for working professionals like you to study from wherever you are.
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
Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s online non-degree programs, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate.
Academic Calendar
Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for The Ohio State University College of Nursing’s online non-degree programs, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate.
Admission Criteria
You must meet the following criteria to qualify for admission to the Clinical Research Management certificate:
Your degree must be from an accredited bachelor’s program. Students may apply to the certificate while their bachelor’s degree is still in progress, but must receive their degree prior to beginning enrollment in the program. GPAs are reviewed by Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions Office. Applicants whose GPAs fall below 3.0 may still apply and be considered for admission.
How to Apply
To apply for the Clinical Research Management certificate, you must complete an application online on Ohio State’s Graduate and Professional Admissions website. A $60 application fee is required at the time of submission. Failure to complete all required steps of this application process by 11:59 pm ET on the day of the posted deadline will result in your application not being considered for admission, with no exceptions.
Submit official transcripts
You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities that you previously attended at either the undergraduate or graduate levels. This includes transcripts for any post-secondary courses taken during high school or of coursework that appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Transcripts from Ohio State do not need to be submitted. All transcripts must be received by the application deadline.
Transcripts should be sent directly by the sending institution by mail or electronic transfer to be considered official. Please request your transcripts early so they arrive before the deadline. Please refer to their website for instructions on how to submit your transcripts. Please direct all transcript related questions to the Graduate and Professional Admissions office at 614-292-9444 or to gpadmissions@osu.edu.
You may also upload a copy of an official transcript at the time of application or after by way of the Admissions Uploader. Web-based documents, online grade reports and related materials are not acceptable. Documents submitted in this manner are considered unofficial, but will suffice for the purposes of application. If you are admitted, you will be required to supply official transcripts sent directly from your previous institutions.
Current or former Ohio State graduate students – Complete a supplemental application
If you are currently or have been previously enrolled in a degree granting graduate program at Ohio State for any length of time, you would be considered a Graduate Intra-University Transfer Student. Be sure to choose the appropriate application for “current or former” Ohio State students after following this application link. In addition to that online application, you must complete a Supplemental Application. This separate application can be submitted at the time of your online application or after by using the Admission Uploader. Choose any of the following options to access this application:
- MS Word Document: Supplemental Certificate Application (To download, select “Save”)
- PDF: Supplemental Certificate Application
International applicants only – Test of English Proficiency
Details regarding what English Proficiency tests are acceptable, the scores required, and how to submit scores may be found on The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions office’s website.
Admission Timeline & Deferrals
All required materials listed above must be received by the posted application deadline to be considered for admission. Please allow up to five business days for the status of materials to be updated on your application status webpage. Any item still marked as incomplete by the deadline will result in your application being removed from consideration.
Applications for certificate programs are not reviewed until after the application deadline.
You can download an overview of the admissions timeline here. This admissions timeline covers what you can expect throughout the application process, including an anticipated timeline for when admissions decisions will be released and next steps if you are offered admission.
You are not able to defer admittance. If you are unable to begin your studies in the term to which you applied, you will be required to reapply in the future.
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
This online graduate-level Clinical Research Management certificate will prepare you for your next steps with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills in human subjects’ research regulations, conduct, management and leadership.
Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.
Work Activities
Design and validate clinical databases, including designing or testing logic checks. Process clinical data, including receipt, entry, verification, or filing of information. Generate data queries, based on validation checks or errors and omissions identified during data entry, to resolve identified problems.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $63,650
- Mid Level: $112,590
- Senior Level: $194,410
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
36%
Related Careers
- Bioinformatics Technicians
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Data Scientists
- Health Informatics Specialists
- Social Science Research Assistants
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mathematics
- Medicine and Dentistry
What They Do
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.
Work Activities
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.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $79,830
- Mid Level: $161,180
- Senior Level:
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
7.5%
Related Careers
- Clinical Data Managers
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Health Informatics Specialists
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Social Science Research Assistants
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Administrative
- Medicine and Dentistry
What They Do
Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.
Work Activities
Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis. Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations. Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $36,950
- Mid Level: $63,380
- Senior Level: $118,730
Job Outlook
Below Average
Projected Growth
-0.2%
Related Careers
- Data Scientists
- Management Analysts
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Statistical Assistants
- Statisticians
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
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.
Curriculum
The Clinical Research Management certificate includes 12 credits of graduate coursework, is offered 100% online and asynchronously and is designed to be able to be completed in three semesters. The curriculum meets the internationally recognized Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency framework.
Concepts and policies for the responsible conduct of research (RCR), Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and dissemination of findings will be introduced.
Function of clinical research in medical product development and the regulatory process of new medical products. Laws and regulations concerning the development, testing, commercialization, and total product life cycle for medical products. Regulations governing the conduct of clinical research, including study sponsors, investigators, and Institutional Review Boards.
Fundamental principles of clinical research operations from study site selection to study closure from the perspective of sponsors and clinical research sites including an introduction to database design, management, quality assurance, and reporting for site and sponsor operations.
This course covers concepts and application of total quality management for federal regulation of medical product development including drugs and medical devices. (Offered: Summer semester)
This course covers the principles of project management and strategic planning in healthcare, clinical research, and regulatory settings. (Offered: Summer semester)
This course provides an introduction to fundamental principles of clinical research data management and informatics to include the acquisition and management of data during clinical research studies, including source data, data entry, data quality assurance, reporting, and security. (Offered: Spring semester)
Understanding Online Course Types
As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.
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Program Faculty
The online courses in Ohio State’s Clinical Research Management Graduate Certificate are led by esteemed College of Nursing faculty. The Ohio State University College of Nursing is recognized by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence for Creating Environments that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development.
Jessica Fritter, DHSc, MACPR, ACRP-CP
Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice, Master of Clinical Research and Undergraduate Clinical Trials Sciences Certificate, College of Nursing
“There is a national demand for clinical research professionals. This certificate offers students a broad foundation in the management of human subjects research and credible educational credentials to break into the clinical research industry or advance their career.”
Carolynn Jones, DNP, MSPH, RN, FAAN
Clinical Professor; Director, Master of Clinical Research Program; Co-Director of Workforce Development, OSU CCTS
Amy Mackos, PhD
Associate Clinical Professor, Director of Biomedical Research
Testimonials
Find out how online learning has helped Ohio State students succeed.
“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.”
“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.”
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 | Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) | Total Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $829.75 | $4,978.50 |
| General Fee | $32.63 | $195.78 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) | $100.00 |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) | $200.00 |
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.
Financial Aid Resource
Financial Aid Resource
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