Clinical drug trials are increasing rapidly both in the US and abroad. As a result the need for clinical research associates, clinical research coordinators, clinical data managers, and regulatory affairs professionals has grown throughout the biopharmaceutical industry.
Individuals in these careers work together on various phases of a clinical trial from conception to completion. These careers usually require certification via examinations sponsored by professional associations. Requirements for the examination are a combination of educational degrees and experience hours.
More information can be found at the websites of the following professional organizations:
- Association for Clinical Research Professionals: www.acrpnet.org
- Society for Clinical Research Association: www.socra.org
- Society of Clinical Data Management: www.scdm.org
- Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society: www.raps.org
Note: These careers should not be confused with careers in the actual development of new drugs, which usually require master’s and doctoral degrees in a science field (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmaceutical science, or pharmacology).
Clinical Trials Advanced Degree Programs
These programs offer advanced (usually master’s) degrees in clinical trials and lead to more advanced positions in clinical trial management.
Specific Prerequisites: Please check individual school prerequisites for more information, for instance the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, at shrp.rutgers.edu/general/virtualCatalog/Graduateprograms.html
Special Program Between Monmouth University and Rutgers School of Health Related Professions
- MU students (biology, chemistry, or mathematics majors with a 3.0 GPA in the major) may apply at end of 3rd or early in their 4th year.
- 4 year program at MU plus 2-3 year (36 credits) program at Rutgers
- Leads to B.S. from MU plus M.S. in Clinical Sciences from Rutgers
- MU students may enroll in up to 2 courses at Rutgers (web-based) in their senior year that will count as credit for both the MU B.S. and the Rutgers M.S. Students must earn a 3.0 GPA in each of the two Rutgers courses for them to count for the Rutgers M.S., and maintain the 3.0 GPA in the major at MU.
- Rutgers will hold open 2 places for an MU student who meets admissions requirements each year.
- Recommendation by the MU PPHAC and the MU School of Science Dean