Master of Clinical Research

Clinical research is advancing at an unprecedented speed. Especially here.

The Master of Clinical Research (MCR) program is an interdisciplinary graduate degree program offered entirely online.

The clinical research industry relies on professionals that are specially trained to navigate the complex world of medical product development and clinical research to ensure safe and effective evidence-based diagnostics, drugs, biologics and devices for the publics’ health.

The 100 percent online MCR program prepares students to excel as administrators, regulatory specialists and other professional roles on clinical research teams. Graduates are prepared for rewarding careers as clinical research coordinators and managers, clinical research associates (monitors), project and data managers, clinical research trainers, regulatory compliance officers, institutional review board specialists, research quality analysts and many other positions in the clinical research enterprise.

The program offers a multidisciplinary curriculum, covering the theory and practice of research methods and statistics, the ethics of human subjects research, the science of pharmacology and medical product regulation, and the business of research operations and management. Coursework is taught by the College of Nursing and Pharmacy.  This program is open to applicants with any undergraduate degree.

The program concludes with a culminating project where students have an opportunity to apply best practices in clinical research operations or administration.

Two interdisciplinary specializations are offered:

1. Clinical Research Management
2. Regulatory Affairs

Students who graduate from the MCR program are eligible to sit for ACRP and SoCRA basic certifications with one-year post graduation clinical research experience, and for higher level ACRP and RAPS certifications after a requisite time period working in the field. For more information on certification opportunities, please visit:

• ACRP Clinical Research Coordinator Certification (CCRC)
• SOCRA Clinical Research Professionals Certification (CCRP)
• RAPS Regulatory Affairs Certification

As a member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research, the MCR graduate degree is designed as a competency-based program The program’s core curriculum aligns with the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency and CoAPCR accreditation standards.

Core Competencies

• Scientific Concepts and Research Design
• Ethical and Participant Safety Considerations
• Investigational Product Development and Regulation
• Clinical Study Operations (Good Clinical Practice)
• Study and Site Management
• Data Management and Informatics
• Leadership and Professionalism
• Communications and Teamwork

The Ohio State University is authorized to offer MCR in 49 U.S. states and territories (limited authorization in Colorado at present). For more information on state authorization requirements and disclosures related to online programs, please visit online.osu.edu/state-authorization/disclosures.

If you are looking for information on the interdisciplinary online MS in Translational Pharmacology graduate program in clinical and safety pharmacology and toxicology, please visit the College of Pharmacy website.