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Data supports the introduction of new medications, devices and services influencing patient care. Yet, the results and their implications have a far-reaching effect. What’s discovered today can elevate population health, better serve the surrounding community and beyond and advance the science of health care.
Scientific discoveries in the present rarely happen by chance. Instead, extensive research builds from a hypothesis with the goal of improving a patient service, introducing a more efficient-acting medication or better understanding population health trends. Clinical research professionals facilitate these processes, making them one of the fastest-growing segments of the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
The University of Missouri—Kansas City’s online graduate certificate in clinical research anticipates this demand. Course work and structure are ideal for candidates seeking to upgrade and expand their skills without enrolling in a full master’s program. A blend of theories and hands-on computer applications holistically exposes you to the fundamentals of clinical research and the integral role data plays in improving population health and health outcomes.
With research and data applications influencing all aspects of health care delivery, a broad spectrum of industry professionals — junior faculty, clinical fellows, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and clinical research coordinators—benefit from understanding the processes of conducting and analyzing clinical research. Expanding what you know and building off your experience, this fully online certificate program incorporates real-world examples and assessments throughout. This approach encourages you to think analytically, arms you with the skills to streamline research productivity and highlights the “why” and far-reaching applications behind hard numbers.
Guiding your academic and career success are our dedicated faculty members, themselves immersed in the world of health care research and passionate about graduating professionals ready to enrich the field.
Quick facts
Official name
Graduate certificate in clinical researchCampus
Program type
Graduate certificateAcademic home
School of Medicine | Department of Biomedical and Health InformaticsDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
15Estimated cost
$8,131.50*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Through in-depth exposure to essential clinical research tools, this online graduate certificate helps advance the careers of many medical professionals and assists data-minded individuals with transitioning to a role supporting the latest health care discoveries.
Whatever your background, you’ll be equipped to:
- Perform statistical analysis
- Generate a research hypothesis
- Prepare, conduct and report research
- Ensure compliant clinical research
- Develop quality control processes
- Enforce patient safety, regulatory standards and ethical considerations
- Understand how data influences research, business practices and health care outcomes
Potential career paths include
Clinical research professionals use their knowledge of research methodology and data to perform the following:
- Plan and guide clinical research.
- Monitor and uphold regulatory aspects of clinical research trials.
- Translate the results of scientific research and surveys into clear, easy-to-understand insights.
- Prepare data for reports, presentations and publication.
- Manage information from databases.
- Engage in quality control assessments.
With this skill set, you have the knowledge to make an impact as a:
- Clinical research scientist
- Research coordinator
- Clinical instructor
- Analyst
Program structure
Offered through the School of Medicine’s Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, the online graduate certificate in clinical research covers key research methods and protocol development principles over 15 credit hours. Theories and modern techniques illustrate practical applications in your own workplace. Real-world examples and hands-on computer applications let you put your knowledge into action and further ignite interest.
The typical GCCR student takes six to nine credits per semester to finish the program in two semesters. All courses are fully online—no on-campus visits are required.
Course work overlaps with the master of science in bioinformatics with an emphasis in clinical research. If you wish to grow your skills further, you may transfer up to 15 credit hours from the graduate certificate in clinical research toward the master’s in bioinformatics upon acceptance to the program.
Course work covers
Through five subjects propelling your clinical research competencies forward, you’ll learn about:
- Key biostatistics concepts
- Analytical methods in health science
- Clinical research methodologies
- The principles of epidemiology
- Conducting clinical trials
- The U.S. health care and public health system
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
SemesterTypical program length
8 months to 1 yearTypical course load
2-3 courses per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri-Kansas City is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Monica Gaddis is an Associate Professor with the Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHI) at UMKC School of Medicine. Within the DBHI, Dr. Gaddis teaches Applied Biostatistics (Beginning and Advanced), and is the lead instructor for the Weekly Department Multidisciplinary Seminar. She also oversees and conducts project analysis for the Neuroscience Unit research project, which educates year three medical students in the basics of the research process.