Master of Clinical Research
Clinical research is advancing at an unprecedented speed. Especially here.
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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 accredited 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. 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:
Students who graduate from the MCR program are eligible to sit for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) 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 Certified Professional (ACRP-CP)
- ACRP Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA)
- ACRP Clinical Research Coordinator Certification (CCRC)
- ACRP Certified Principal Investigator (CPI)
- 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 all 50 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 the University’s Online Programs State Authorization webpage.
Application Deadlines
- Spring 2026
Opens: March 1, 2025
Deadline: July 31, 2025 - Summer 2026
Opens: August 1, 2025
Deadline: November 30, 2025 - Autumn 2026
Opens: December 1, 2025
Deadline: March 2, 2026
Contact us
Message from the Director
We provide students with the knowledge and real-world, hands-on skillsets that enable success in clinical research careers. When you join our program, you'll become part of a collaborative and supportive community led by devoted faculty, staff and students. In addition, the flexibility of the program allows it to be accessible to most working professionals. The MCR program admits students three times per year. As working professionals, the majority of students (82%) graduate in one to two years through our full-time or part-time options. Our students have contributed to improvements in the clinical research enterprise.
We are pleased to announce that in May 2023 our program became accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). It was the second graduate program to achieve this recognition.
Video: Student Experience
May 31, 2023
Master of Clinical Research degree program awarded prestigious accreditation
Online program the second of its kind in the U.S. to earn academic accreditation | Read more >
The Clinical Research program at The Ohio State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (http://www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CAAPCR).
