The post-baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Research educates students in the conduct of clinical (human) research studies and trials. The focus of the curriculum is in the foundational knowledge necessary to understand basic clinical research and trial study design, statistics and data management; ethical principles to respect and protect the rights and welfare of individuals participating in clinical research; and select regulations and guidelines to guide activities related to new biopharmaceutical and medical device product development.
Students will develop the essential knowledge and understanding to organize, coordinate and administer clinical research studies and trials working with participants in a culturally aware manner; supporting and performing quality data collection; and applying ethical, regulatory and compliance requirements. Students who complete the certificate will be well-prepared to be effective and successful members of the clinical research workforce.
Note: This program is not eligible for the issuance of student immigration documents.
Student learning outcomes
Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of, and commitment to the protection of the human research participant rights, safety and welfare.
Students will commit to practicing as a clinical research professional in an ethical and responsible manner in accordance with good clinical practice and applicable regulations and laws.
Students will demonstrate skills and competencies pertaining to the conduct of clinical research utilizing cultural awareness, understanding study design and appropriate data collection methods.
Students will demonstrate their commitment to engage in continuing education toward becoming increasingly proficient in their practice and to ensure that their practice-related knowledge and skills remain current.
September 2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
RICHMOND,
Virginia,
23284, United States
The admission requirements outlined below apply to all students. All applicants to the post-baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Research program are required to:
Have earned an undergraduate degree — preferably in a life science, a health care discipline, a social/behavioral science or mathematics/statistics — from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college (or its equivalent from a foreign institution based upon a four-year program) with a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
A Test of English as a Foreign Language minimum composite score of 100 for the Internet-based test or 600 for the paper-based score; An International English Language Testing Systems minimum score of 6.5 on the academic exam.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.