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Clinical Research Administration

A Breakthrough for Your Career in the Clinical Research Industry

In the clinical research industry, you can contribute to the safe and effective development and testing of investigational drugs, devices, biologics, treatments, and diagnostics that promote global well-being. With the clinical administration programs from the George Washington University (GW), you will be prepared to contribute to clinical trials and related clinical research studies that could foster breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and health care fields.

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Complete the form to learn more about our programs.*

*Note, 45 transferrable credits required to apply for BSHS and BSHS/MSHS dual degree programs.

100% Online Courses

GW’s bachelor’s, master’s, dual bachelor’s/master’s, and graduate certificate programs offer a convenient path to advanced clinical research administration roles.

CoAPCR Member

Experience a rigorous clinical research education at an institution that is an institutional member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR).

Ranked a Top 65 University

There are about 4,000 universities in the nation, and U.S. News & World Report ranked the George Washington University No. 62.1,2

In the clinical research industry, the average compound annual growth rate for monthly job openings was 9.3% from 2016 to 2019.3 This demand will continue to grow as the workforce keeps pace with the need for capable individuals who can significantly contribute to clinical trials and related clinical research studies that advance drug, biologics, medical device, and diagnostics development.

Develop the expertise to significantly contribute to clinical trials and related clinical research initiatives at the George Washington University. Our expert faculty bring extensive experience to each online class, enabling you to thrive in roles with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, Clinical Research Organizations (CROs), and governmental research organizations, as well as academic medical centers and other clinical research organizations.

GW educates professionals at various experience levels, with convenient online programs that help you attain a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, dual bachelor’s/master’s degree, or graduate certificate. Plus, you can join a dual degree program to save time and money as you pursue an advanced credential.

Bachelor’s, Master’s, Dual Bachelor’s/Master’s, and Graduate Certificate Programs in Clinical Research Administration

Online

2 – 4 Years Duration

60 GW Residency/120 BSHS Total Credits

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Program Details

  • Gain core skills needed for an array of in-demand clinical research industry roles
  • Transfer in 45-60 previous college credits for this program to finish in about two to four years
  • Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)
  • Take courses 100% online, a format that lets you study from wherever you choose
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

GW’s online BSHS in Clinical Research Administration program prepares you to make an impact in careers across the clinical research industry. Graduate with skills and expertise in the administration, management, monitoring, and business end of clinical trials and related clinical research studies.

By completing this program, you can satisfy 1,500 hours of professional experience needed for multiple Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) certifications and one year of the two-year full-time work experience requirement for the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP®) certification through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).

The George Washington University offers this program in a convenient online format. As a result, you can meet your personal and professional commitments while pursuing your BSHS in Clinical Research Administration degree.

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Online

2 Years Duration

18 Credits

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Program Details

  • Designed for working clinical research professionals ready for higher-level positions
  • Finish in as little as a year with no visits to campus
  • Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Develop as the strategic leader that research organizations need with GW’s Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Administration program. You will build expertise relevant to supporting clinical trials, product development, and preparing regulatory documents.

Pursue this graduate certificate to gain expertise in medicine development, quality and risk management, performing clinical research analyses, and other topics. Plus, all credits all 18 are transferrable to the online master’s in clinical research administration program.

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Online

2 Years Duration

36 Credits

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Program Details

  • Industry-experienced faculty prepare you to lead and oversee the clinical, regulatory and business aspects of planning and conducting clinical trials and clinical research studies
  • Connect with other clinical research professionals in our national alumni network
  • Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Move to the forefront of clinical research in the first master’s in clinical research administration program available in an online format. You’ll get ready to thrive in careers that demand expertise in drug development, clinical trial conduct, and multiple disciplines of clinical research.

Benefit from a well-rounded education that explores medicine development, quality and risk management, leadership, and other areas of clinical research. You will take convenient online courses that require no trips to campus.

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Online

4 – 5 years Duration

87 GW Residency/147 Dual Degree Total Credits

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Program Details

  • Save time and money by seeking your bachelor’s and master’s in one online program
  • Take courses 100% online, a format that lets you study from wherever you choose
  • Transfer 45-60 previous college credit hours into the dual bachelor’s/master’s program
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)

GW’s dual degree program prepares you to support the administration of clinical trials and related clinical research studies and leverage biomedical data to support clinical decision-making. You can take up to nine graduate credits while pursuing your Bachelor of Science in Health Science in Clinical Research Administration, reducing the time and cost of attaining a master’s degree.

By transferring 45-60 credits, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree after taking 29-44 courses at GW. What’s more, by completing this online program, you will fulfill part of the criteria for obtaining professional certification through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or  the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).

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Online

4 – 5 Years Duration

87 GW Residency/147 Dual Degree Total Credits

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Program Details

  • GW’s dual degree program shortens the time and cost of earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree
  • Transfer 45-60 previous college credit hours into the dual bachelor’s/master’s program
  • Take courses 100% online, a format that lets you study from wherever you choose
  • Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Pursue a BSHS in Clinical Research Administration and an MSHS in Clinical and Translational Research in a streamlined program from the George Washington University. In the BSHS program, you’ll delve into clinical research processes, good clinical practices (GCP), and other concepts that will help you play a key role in the development and testing of drugs, biologics, medical devices, and diagnostics. In the MSHS program, you will learn how to integrate evidence-based practice into clinical and translational research.

By completing this program, you can satisfy 1,500 hours of professional experience needed for multiple Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) certifications and one year of the two-year full-time work experience requirement for the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP®) certification through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).

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Online

4 – 5 Years Duration

87 GW Residency/147 Dual Degree Total Credits

Request Information

Program Details

  • Reduce the amount of time and money required to earn a master’s in GW’s dual degree program
  • Transfer 45-60 previous college credit hours into the dual bachelor’s/master’s program
  • Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

This dual program from the George Washington University offers a faster track to a combined BSHS in Clinical Research Administration and MSHS in Regulatory Affairs. Master the administration of clinical trials and related clinical research studies and learn how to ensure organizations meet regulatory requirements and compliance standards.

GW lets you complete nine credit hours of master’s level courses during the undergraduate portion of the program. This accelerates your clinical research administration/regulatory affairs education and lowers your tuition, as these classes are charged at the undergraduate per-credit cost.

By completing this program, you can satisfy 1,500 hours of professional experience needed for multiple Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) certifications and one year of the two-year full-time work experience requirement for the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP®) certification through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA).

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Online

4 – 5 Years Duration

87 GW Residency/147 Dual Degree Total Credits

Request Information

Program Details

  • GW’s dual degree program helps you earn both a bachelor’s and master’s in less time and for less money
  • Transfer 45-60 previous college credit hours into the dual bachelor’s/master’s program
  • Take courses 100% online, a format that lets you study from wherever you choose
  • Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Take a direct path to careers across the clinical research industry at the George Washington University. With GW’s dual BSHS/MSHS in Clinical Research Administration program, you will get ready to contribute to clinical trials that lead to breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and health care fields.

You can satisfy 1,500 of the 3,000 professional experience hours required for multiple Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) certifications and one year of the two-year full-time work experience requirement for the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP®) certification through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) by completing the bachelor’s level courses.

GW lets you complete nine credit hours of master’s level credits during the undergraduate portion of the program. This accelerates your clinical research administration education and lowers your tuition, as these classes are charged at the undergraduate per-credit cost.

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What Can I Do With a Clinical Research Administration Degree?

GW designed each clinical research administration program to prepare you to thrive in the clinical research industry. That extends beyond contributing to clinical trials and related clinical research studies, as our dual bachelor’s/master’s programs also prepare you to lead informatics and regulatory initiatives.

  • Clinical research coordinator: $49,901 per year4
  • Clinical research associate: $68,205 per year5
  • Clinical data manager: $75,061 per year6
  • Regulatory affairs specialist: $70,262 per year7

$69.3 Billion Projected size of the clinical trials market in 20288

$69,000 Top 10% of clinical research coordinator salaries4

9.3% Average compound annual growth in monthly clinical research job openings, 2016 to 20193

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about GW. Don’t see your question.

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No, you do not need to attend class at a specific time. Our online courses are designed to be asynchronous, giving you flexibility. Assignments will have specified due dates that must be met. Students are expected to read the weekly readings, participate in online weekly discussion boards and other asynchronous group activities, and submit papers and other assignments through the online learning management system.

Yes, an academic advisor will work with you throughout the admissions process, scheduling classes, and the course of your studies. GW also offers our online students 24/7 technical support.

Currently, the CRA bachelor’s, master’s, dual bachelor’s/master’s and graduate certificate programs can be completed online with no campus residency requirement. Some of the electives may have a hybrid or on-campus component so students are advised to consult with their academic advisor when selecting elective courses.

Online classes are designed to take the same amount of time as on-campus classes. They are taught by GW faculty members and have comparable assignments to campus programs that can be completed off-site. Time spent per course varies by the course’s length and credit hours. For example, students are expected to spend approximately 14 hours per week working on an eight week long, three-credit hour course and 7.5 hours per week working on a fifteen week, three-credit hour course. As an off-campus student, you also save time that on-campus students spend commuting.

All GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences students can find support through a wide variety of services and resources. We encourage you to visit the links below to familiarize yourself with the resources available at GW:

GW operates on the semester system system with the fall semester beginning in August, the spring semester beginning in January and the summer semester beginning in April or May. Some programs admit new students in all three semesters, while other programs admit new students once or twice per year. Your start date will depend on which program you select  so please complete the “Request Info” form under “Learn More Today” and someone will contact you with more information.

Sources

  1. U.S. News & World Report. (2021 April 27). A Guide to the Changing Number of U.S. Universities. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-many-universities-are-in-the-us-and-why-that-number-is-changing.
  2. U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Best Colleges Rankings: George Washington University. Retrieved May 9. 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/george-washington-university-131469
  3. The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP). (2020 June 12). Analysis: Workforce Growth May Not be Keeping Pace with Clinical Trials Workload Needs. Retrieved on December 22, 2021, from https://acrpnet.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2020/06/ACRP_State_of_Clinical_Research_Workforce_Report_060820.pdf.
  4. PayScale.com. (2022 January 28). Average Clinical Research Coordinator Salary. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Research_Coordinator/Salary/.
  5. PayScale.com. (2022 January 31). Average Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Salary. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Research_Associate_(CRA)/Salary.
  6. PayScale.com. (2022 January 9). Average Clinical Data Manager Salary. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Data_Manager/Salary.
  7. PayScale.com. (2022 January 11). Average Regulatory Affairs Specialist Salary. January 21, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Regulatory_Affairs_Specialist/Salary.
  8. Grand View Research, Inc. (2021 June). Clinical Trials Market Size Worth $69.3 Billion By 2028. Retrieved on December 22, 2021, from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/clinical-trials-market.