Clinical Trials Sciences Certificate
Build the skills to support and manage clinical trials in academic, industry and research settings.
Program overview
Clinical trials are essential to developing and evaluating new therapies. The Clinical Trials Sciences Certificate prepares you to support and manage clinical research studies.
You will build skills for roles in academic medical centers, contract research organizations and biopharmaceutical companies. Coursework covers clinical trial design, regulations and bioethics, along with data and project management.
The curriculum emphasizes practical application, preparing you to help plan, launch and monitor clinical trials.
Application deadline
Autumn 2026
Deadline: May 19
Spring 2027 application opens June 16.
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Online
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13 credit hours
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2-3 semesters
Eligibility requirements
- Current Ohio State undergraduate student
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Health science-related major (see below)
To earn the certificate, you must apply and be admitted before completing the fourth course in the certificate curriculum.
- Actuarial Science
- Anthropological Sciences, Anthropology, and Medical Anthropology
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Biochemistry, Biology, Evolution and Ecology, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Zoology
- Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Information Systems
- Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Communication, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work
- Data Analytics and Statistics
- Dental Hygiene, Exercise Science Education, Health and Wellness Innovation in Healthcare, Health Information Management and Systems, Health Promotion, Nutrition and Exercise Science, Health Sciences Program, Human Nutrition, Medical Laboratory Science, Neuroscience, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Radiologic Sciences and Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, and Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Human Development and Family Science
- Operations Management
- Physics and Special Education
The program is 100% online and primarily asynchronous. Students typically take one class per semester and complete the certificate in two to three semesters. Some courses may include live sessions recorded for later access.
Required courses (13 credits)
- Medical Terminology for the Health Professions (3 credits)*
- Drug Discovery, Development, and Delivery (3 credits)
- Clinical Trials from Concept to Launch (3 credits)
- Clinical Trials Data Management and Monitoring (4 credits)
*Students may substitute HTHRHSC 2500 with Anatomy 2200, 2300, 4300 or Physiology 3100, 3200.
Allow up to five business days for the status of materials to be updated on your application status. You can track the status of your application through your Applicant Center.
- Deadline
- Submit all application materials by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline date.
- Decision
- Four weeks after the deadline
- Most applicants are notified through their BuckeyeMail accounts and Applicant Center.
- The application status will show as “pending” until a decision is posted.
- Accept offer
- Four weeks after the decision notification
- Admission cannot be deferred. Students unable to start in the admitted term must reapply for a future term.
This certificate will prepare you for a career in clinical research at academic medical centers, contract research organizations, and biopharmaceutical companies. Graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- clinical research coordinator
- clinical research assistant
- data coordinator
- regulatory affairs coordinator
The program also provides preparation for graduate study, such as our Master of Science in Clinical Research program.
How to apply
Submit all application materials by the deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET to be considered for admission.
You will complete an application online. This application will ask you to confirm you meet the admission requirements listed above and ask you to select a start term to begin the Clinical Trials Sciences coursework.
During application review, the College of Nursing will verify your status as an Ohio State student and your GPA. You are not required to submit further documentation in order to verify this information.
Applicants must submit all application materials by 11:59 p.m. ET on the deadline to be considered for admission.
Contact
FAQ
Courses are primarily online with asynchronous modules. Some courses may include live, synchronous sessions, such as guest lectures or meetings. These sessions may be recorded for future access. Course syllabi and the registration system provide details about live session schedules.
- Apply for the next available term if you have already taken some certificate courses.
- Apply and be admitted before completing the fourth course in the curriculum to earn the certificate.
- Students who have completed all certificate courses cannot retroactively apply for the certificate.
No. University policy does not allow transfer credit for this certificate. All courses must be completed at Ohio State.
You have some flexibility, but the certificate follows a structured schedule. Courses are offered at specific times, and you must follow the required sequence.
Because the certificate is part of your major, you must complete it before you graduate to receive the certificate.
This program admits students every semester.