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Online Regulatory Affairs Master’s and Certificate Programs

Learn How to Ensure Organizations Meet Regulatory Requirements

Regulatory affairs professionals know how to manage processes confirming organizations follow laws and compliance standards. With the online regulatory affairs programs from the George Washington University (GW), you’ll engage in immersive classes that provide the expertise to oversee regulatory processes for agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

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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

Classes in GW’s Graduate Certificate and MSHS in Regulatory Affairs offer a flexible way to learn how to advance as a regulatory affairs leader.

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

CoAPCR Member

Take regulatory affairs classes with an institutional member of the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research (CoAPCR).

A superior way to advance in regulatory affairs is to learn from professionals at the forefront of this field. So, GW developed our regulatory affairs courses by teaming up with professionals throughout the industry. That includes leaders with experience at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

GW’s online regulatory affairs classes fit the needs of aspiring professionals at multiple skill levels. If you’re interested in how to get into regulatory affairs, our dual degree program provides an accelerated path to an MSHS in Regulatory Affairs, setting you up for rewarding positions. Plus, junior-level professionals with leadership ambitions can build on their current skills by pursuing our Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs.

Master’s Level Regulatory Affairs Classes

Online

4 – 5 Years Duration

87 GW Residency/147 Dual Degree Total Credits

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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

  • 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

2 Years Duration

36 Credits

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Program Details

  • Take regulatory affairs classes 100% online, without visiting campus
  • Discover how to manage regulatory efforts throughout the product life cycle
  • Learn from highly experienced regulatory affairs professionals
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

GW developed the MSHS in Regulatory Affairs in collaboration with professionals working throughout the regulatory affairs industry and government agencies, including the FDA and NIH. You’ll take immersive online courses that provide an advanced understanding of regulatory strategy—expertise that can help you stand out as a leader in your field.

Pursue the MSHS in Regulatory Affairs to prepare for compliance roles in numerous sectors, such as clinical research, product development, quality assurance, and public health. Our regulatory affairs classes instill an array of practical knowledge and skills, such as how to provide strategic direction and integrate business needs in regulatory matters.

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Online

8 Month Duration

12 Credits

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Program Details

  • Study 100% online, with no classes on campus
  • Learn how to evaluate regulatory strategies supporting drug development
  • Take classes led by experienced regulatory affairs professionals
  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Join the Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs program developed by regulatory affairs professionals working at the FDA and NIH. The program includes immersive courses that teach you how to shape regulatory affairs strategy in the U.S. and abroad.

After earning the Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs, you’ll have advanced knowledge for working in clinical research, product testing, global health, and public health policy. Plus, students can transfer all 12 credits to GW’s MSHS in Regulatory Affairs program.

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What Careers Can I Pursue with a Regulatory Affairs Degree?

Are you wondering how to get into regulatory affairs? If so, GW’s master’s and graduate certificate programs offer a direct path. For instance, classes in the online MSHS in Regulatory Affairs program prepare you to oversee compliance activities in roles that include:

  • Regulatory affairs manager: $105,732 per year3
  • Regulatory affairs specialist: $70,262 per year4
  • Medical affairs associate: $80,000 avg. salary5
  • Compliance manager: $79,948 median salary6
  • Quality manager: $82,731 median salary7

$92,000 Top 10% of annual salaries for regulatory affairs specialists4

5.6% Average salary increase for regulatory professionals from 2018 to 20198

80.8% Share of senior managers who view regulatory professionals as valuable to their organization8

GW’s regulatory affairs courses lay the foundation needed to analyze and present data, oversee registration processes, and understand how to gauge legal and scientific concerns.9 The online MSHS in Regulatory Affairs program also instills expertise in compliance efforts related to products marketed abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you explore an online program at the George Washington University, our dedicated staff is here to support you. If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 844-386-7323.

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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.

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.

While most studies will be completed online, your program may require you to visit campus during the course of your studies.

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.

Students in GW’s master’s, bachelor’s and post-bachelor’s programs may be eligible for financial aid. Students seeking graduate certificates are not eligible for federal financial aid.

You may also be able to benefit from loans, institutional scholarships, merit- or need-based grants, employer reimbursement programs, and more. Explore your options on our Tuition and Financial Aid page.

Yes, GW is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

You can request more information to speak with a GW program manager, or you can begin the application process today.

Yes. GW’s transcript ordering service is available to interested applicants of the programs listed on this website. The service is designed to make the application process simpler for you, while also helping us expedite the admissions decision on your behalf. Our transcript services team will order all domestic transcripts once you decide to allow us to help you with this task.

The George Washington University will only request and pay for your domestic college transcripts that allow third-party requests up to the point of admission to the university. This means that any coursework completed after you are advised of an admission decision, including coursework you are currently completing, will still need to be submitted by you.

It is your responsibility to request and purchase these additional transcripts to complete your file. This information may be used to determine your eligibility for financial aid, admission, and potential transfer credits. Additionally, some institutions may require you to obtain your official transcripts directly; if this is the case, we will contact you.

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. Payscale (2022 January 9). Average Regulatory Affairs Manager Salary. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Regulatory_Affairs_Manager/Salary.
  4. Payscale. (2022 January 11). Average Regulatory Affairs Specialist Salary. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Regulatory_Affairs_Specialist/Salary.
  5. Payscale (2021 November 2). Medical Affairs Associate). Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Medical_Affairs_Associate/Salary.
  6. Payscale (2022 January 9). Average Compliance Manager Salary. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Compliance_Manager/Salary.
  7. Payscale (2022 January 12). Average Quality Manager Salary. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Quality_Manager/Salary.
  8. Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS). (2020 October 13). “Regulatory Professionals’ Average Compensation Continues to Increase, According to RAPS’ 2020 Compensation Survey.” Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.raps.org/news-and-articles/news-articles/2020/10/regulatory-pros-compensation-continues-to-increase.
  9. TOPRA.org. (2022). “What Is Regulatory Affairs?” Retrieved January 5, 2022, from https://www.topra.org/topra/topra_member/what_is_regulatory_affairs.aspx.