Make a Lasting Impact
100% Online
24 Months*
With an online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) in Clinical Research Administration from the George Washington University (GW), you will develop the skills and expertise needed to contribute to the rapidly growing field of clinical research which is involved with conducting research studies to ensure the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, devices, diagnostics and treatment regimens. In this bachelor-completion program, build upon the foundations of clinical research concepts, incorporate the principles of bioethics, and more.
*The total number of credits and duration of the program depend on the number of transferred credits
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Accreditation and Rankings
- GW is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- #62 Best National University*
- #13 Best Online Bachelor's Programs*
- #7 Best Online Programs for Veterans*
* The U.S. News & World Report – 2024 Rankings
Program Highlights
- 100% online, no campus visits required
- 20 total courses (60 credit hours) are required at GW to complete your degree
- Graduate in about two years* by transferring in 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution and attending full time. Two year average duration if full time. Total number of credits and duration of program depends on the number of transferred credits
- 120 total credit hours of GW and transfer courses are required for the BSHS degree
- Institutional Member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR)
- Learn the framework for implementing and managing clinical trials including phases of drug and device development, human subjects protection, trial management and operations, monitoring, business aspects, and ethical/scientific standards
- Program completion will 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).
Program Outcomes
When you graduate from this program, you’ll hold the skills and knowledge to:
- Integrate scientific, medical, regulatory, and commercial requirements to create clinical development plan (CDP) sections that provide for benefit and risk assessments in the development of a new investigational product.
- Analyze strategies to address ethical and cultural considerations for effective and compliant clinical trial conduct in national and international settings.
- Compare clinical, regulatory, and business requirements in the planning and
- conduct of a clinical trial, including data integrity and documentation.
- Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, individually and in group settings, using verbal, written, and electronic modes of communication.
- Explain structural determinants adversely impacting the health of socially disadvantaged groups from diverse perspectives.
Who Is the Ideal Student for This Program?
Our BSHS in Clinical Research Administration degree is designed for individuals that want to work in the clinical trials industry to ensure that potential new therapeutics, devices, and treatments follow regulations and are safe and effective. To succeed in this online program, you should be self-disciplined, self-directed, and able to commit to the duration of the program.
All courses are conducted online in a flexible, asynchronous format, so you can earn your bachelor’s degree while maintaining personal and professional commitments.
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the health care industry are expected to grow by 15% between 2019 and 2029. Clinical research professionals are employed in a variety of locations including pharmaceutical companies, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), government agencies, academic medical centers, hospitals and clinics. Here are the average U.S. salaries for the following positions:
- Clinical Trial Assistant: $52,894 avg. salary1
- Clinical Research Coordinator: $52,319 avg. salary2
- Clinical Research Associate (usually requires previous work experience in clinical research): $72,307 avg. salary3
- Clinical Data Coordinator/Manager: $78,920 avg. salary4
Admission Requirements
To apply for the BSHS in Clinical Research Administration, you’ll need:
- Completed application
- Prerequisite Coursework: Applicants must have completed 45-60 credits of college-level coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education. These completed courses should contain the following General Education courses (students who are missing one or two of these courses may be admitted but must complete them at another college or university and transfer them in to GW before they will be able to graduate from GW).
- 6 credits in English composition
- 3 credits in college mathematics (college algebra, statistics, or above)
- 4 credits in natural or physical science with a lab
- 6 credits in social sciences
- 3 credits in humanities
- 2.5 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale for all previous college level coursework
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement that includes reasons for pursuing this degree, any qualifications, accomplishments or honors, and career goals
- One letter of recommendation from a previous instructor or employer
If you have an associate degree from a participating D.C., Maryland, Virginia community college, you may be eligible for guaranteed admission to this program. Review the list of participating institutions or complete this form to speak with an Online Admissions Advisor for more details.
Tuition Details
The BSHS in Clinical Research Administration program at GW consists of 60* credit hours. Please find the cost per credit hour and total estimated program costs here.
Note: Tuition rates are subject to change and additional fees may vary by program.
Meet the Program Director
GW’s experienced faculty provide you with the rich, practical knowledge and support needed for you to succeed in the program and in your career.
Kathleen Thoma, EdD, CCRP, CPH
- Read Full Bio
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Dr. Thoma is the Program Director for the BSHS in Clinical Research Administration Program, the Dual Degree Clinical Research Administration Programs, and the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Administration Program. She is also the Assistant Program Director for the MSHS in Leadership and Strategy in Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Research Administration Program, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership. She has over 20 years of experience in clinical research, health services research, and educational research.
Before coming to the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, she was the director of research and a clinical research specialist at the University of Florida Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Service (UF CARES) where she managed many NIH and industry-sponsored clinical trials during her tenure. Her particular expertise involved working with NIH-sponsored trials through the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) Network and the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) network.
She has also held positions as a research project manager for the Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) Network at the American Academy of Pediatrics, the director of educational research at Florida State College at Jacksonville, and a research project coordinator at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Medicine/School of Public Health.
She earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a cognate in Public Health from the University of North Florida. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) through the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) and holds the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential from the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Her research interests include patient engagement and centricity in clinical trials, increasing diversity and inclusion in clinical trials, health literacy, health disparities and the social determinants of health, health equity, and distance education in the health sciences.
Sources:
- Payscale.com. (2023). Average clinical trial assistant. Retrieved October 10, 2023 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Trial_Assistant/Salary
- Payscale.com. (2023). Average clinical research coordinator. Retrieved October 10, 2023 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Research_Coordinator/Salary
- Payscale.com. (2023). Average clinical research associate. Retrieved October 10, 2023 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Research_Associate_(CRA)/Salary
- Payscale.com. (2023). Average clinical data coordinator/manager. Retrieved October 10, 2023 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Data_Manager/Salary
Curriculum Details
100% Online
120 total credits for the BSHS degree including transfer courses (45-60 credits), required GW CRA core courses (51 credits; 17 courses) and GW elective courses (9-24 credits; 3-8 courses); at least 60 of these credits must be taken at GW.
- In addition to the 17 core courses (51 credits), students will need to take 3-8 elective Health Science courses (9-24 credit hours) depending on how many hours they transferred in and still need to fulfill the graduation requirements.
- Students may transfer in 45-60 college credit hours from another institution which are applied toward the general education and advanced standing requirements. Students must earn at least 60 college credit hours at GW to meet the academic residency requirement and fulfill the required courses for the major.
Core (17 COURSES; 51 CREDITS)
- CRA 3101 Basics of Clinical Research (3)
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The student explores the different phases of drug and device development and introduces basic concepts such as benefit-risk assessment, the different stakeholders, protocol, informed consent, clinical oversight, institutional review board, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), investigational clinical supplies, data management activities, safety reporting, and monitoring.
- CRA 3102 Processes of Clinical Research (3)
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The student examines the process steps and regulatory requirements governing the development and registration of investigational new products from different stakeholder perspectives as well as the steps and requirements in the conduct of a clinical trial for an investigational new drug or device while ensuring data integrity and human subjects protection.
- CRA 3103 Good Clinical Practices (3)
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The student analyzes the rationale and goals of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and applies key principles within the context of case studies.
- CRA 4104 The Business of Clinical Research (3)
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The student compares and contrasts the business priorities of sponsors, sites and third party vendors, such as contract research organizations (CROs); the student also examines the business considerations in preparing clinical trial budgets including outsourcing and potential trial delays.
- CRA 4107 Introduction to Monitoring Clinical Trials (3)
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The student analyzes and evaluates the basic principles and processes involved in the monitoring of clinical trials, as well as the required documentation such as monitoring visit reports; the student also examines the role of key participants with emphasis on the clinical research associate.
- CRA 4125 Capstone in Clinical Research Administration (3)
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In this capstone course, students analyze business, ethical, cultural and practical aspects of clinical trial conduct; explore trends and technologies driving efficiencies in clinical trial performance and demonstrate how ethical and regulatory principles and trial management practices align to ensure quality and compliant clinical research conduct.
- COHM 4110 Strategic Communication for Health Professionals (3)
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Overview of health communication research, theory, and practice, examining the powerful communication influences on delivering care and health promotion.
- HSCI 2050 Foundations of Health Equity (3)
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The cross-cutting nature of the social determinants of health and clinical and biomedical implications in practice and research settings. This is the prerequisite course to begin the health equity micro-minor.
- HSCI 2102 Pathophysiology (3)
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Biomedical and scientific framework for the understanding of human disease mechanisms and biologic processes. Overview of infectious, immunologic, cardiovascular, genetic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neoplastic, reproductive, renal, hematologic, neurologic, and musculoskeletal diseases.
- HSCI 2105 Current Issues in Bioethics (3)
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Basic issues, approaches, and requirements of ethically acceptable decision making with patients, including patient confidentiality, conflicts of interest, allocation of scarce resources, occupational risks in health care, and professional responsibility for overall quality of care.
- HSCI 2112W Writing in the Health Sciences (3)
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Introduction to the health sciences literature Emphasis is on construction, evaluation and organization of written communication of health sciences information.
- HSCI 2117 Introduction to Statistics for Health Science (3)
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Foundational concepts in descriptive and inferential statistics, including probability, sampling distribution, estimation, correlation, t-Test, simple linear regression, and chi-square. Application of statistical concepts and methods within the health sciences.
- HSCI 3114 Management of Health Science Services (3)
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Application of management and organizational principles to the delivery of services provided by health sciences disciplines Issues addressed include information systems, leadership, team building, fiscal management, human resources management, quality improvement, and management of conflict and change.
- HSCI 4106 Intro to Epidemiology for Health Sciences (3)
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An introduction to epidemiological methods and their applications in the prevention and control of illness, community and clinical interventions, and health services.
- HSCI 4112W Research and Writing in Health Sciences (3)
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Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement.
- INFR 4101 Introduction to Medical Informatics (3)
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Medical informatics applications and innovations in health care and the health care system; implications for health care delivery and patient outcomes, including electronic medical records, health system databases, and medical data analysis. Laboratory fee. Restricted to medical informatics program majors.
- RAFF 3101 Introduction to Regulatory Affairs (3)
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Introduction to the field of regulatory affairs to regulations, strategies, and laws that apply to safe and effective product development.
Electives (AT LEAST 3 COURSES; 9 CREDITS)
- BSHS in Clinical Research Administration Elective Courses (9-24)
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In addition to the 17 core courses, students will need to take 3-15 elective Health Science courses (9-45 credit hours) depending on how many hours they need to fulfill the graduation requirements. Students may choose their electives from among the health sciences undergraduate courses.
Key Dates
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Summer 2024 |
Fall 2024 |
Spring 2025 |
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| Application Deadline |
March 20, 2024 (Closed) |
July 20, 2024 (Open) |
December 1, 2024 (Open) |
Admissions Requirements
To apply for the BSHS in Clinical Research Administration program (100% online), you’ll need:
| Completed Application |
| Prerequisite Coursework:
Applicants must have completed 45-60 credits of college-level coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Prerequisite courses that should be completed prior to admission include the General Education courses (and credits) listed below (students who are missing one or two of these courses may be admitted but must complete them at another college or university and transfer them in to GW before they will be able to graduate from GW): 6 credits in English composition |
| 2.5 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale for all previous college level coursework |
| Resume/CV |
| Personal statement of 250-500 words that includes reasons for pursuing this degree, any qualifications, accomplishments or honors, and career goals. |
| One letter of recommendation from a previous instructor or employer |
| Application fee: A non-refundable application fee of $80 is required. The application fee is waived for active-duty U.S. military, current GW students, degree-holding GW alumni, current McNair Program Scholars, and graduates of minority-serving institutions (MSI). |
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Official transcripts from every college and university attended. All non-U.S. transcripts (including those in English) must be evaluated by an accredited foreign credential agency. Please find the list of member organizations here: https://www.naces.org/members. If you have an Associate’s degree from a participating D.C., Maryland, or Virginia community college, you may be eligible for guaranteed admission to this program. Review the list of participating institutions or complete this form to speak with an online admissions advisor for more details. |
International Students
International students should check with individual programs regarding eligibility for visa sponsorship. Generally, online and hybrid programs are not eligible for student visa sponsorship from GW. This would include transfer students from any other institution with an existing visa.
Official transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. must be accompanied by an official transcript evaluation from an accredited independent evaluating agency. Please be sure you request a detailed evaluation that includes all course titles, credit hours, grades, U.S. degree equivalency, grade-point averages (GPA), and date of degree conferral. For a list of acceptable foreign credential evaluation services, please visit NACES.
Applicants who are not U.S. citizens are also required to submit official test scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) Academics or the academic International English Language Test System (IELTS). To be considered for admission, there are required scores that you will need to meet. Score requirements may differ by school and program so check the admissions requirements for your program.
Supporting Documents and Official Transcript
Documents and Official Transcripts not submitted online should be mailed to:
Mail: George Washington University
ATTN: Transcript Processing Center
1415 W 22nd St.
Suite 220
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Alternatively, official electronic transcripts can be sent to: transcripts@hsprograms.gwu.edu