MS in Clinical Research Degree: What You’ll Learn and Where It Leads

There are lots of drugs on the market nowadays; drugs that can shrink tumors, stop seizures, and inoculate populations. All of these medical interventions require thorough testing in humans before they are sold to the broader market. On top of that, for every drug you see today, there were hundreds more that went through the same testing but never made it to the shelves because they weren’t approved. This branch of work, known as clinical research, is a key component of public health, essential to advancing medical knowledge and supporting healthy populations. 

All clinical research studies must be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).¹ If approved, the IRB will monitor the study’s progress to assess the findings and ensure the participants are kept safe. Studies involving a new drug or device must go through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is the agency responsible for oversight and approval to ensure public safety.²

In August 2025, over 20,000 studies in the U.S. were still looking for participants. Another 10,000 studies were already filled and underway.³ None of this work runs on autopilot; all medical studies need people who understand the science and clinical research management systems to run the backend operations. Someone has to write the protocol, manage the records, and prepare the reports, and that person often has an MS in Clinical Research.

If all of this sounds intriguing to you and you want to be part of this process, clinical research could be a great path for you So, let’s see what you’ll learn from this graduate degree, what career paths you can expect when you’re done, the salary outlook, the job demand, online programs, and any certifications that complement an MS in Clinical Research.

Many students who choose this degree already have a background in health or science.⁴

A nurse who has spent years at the bedside may want to step into research oversight. A pharmacist may want to move closer to the testing process instead of only working with the results. Someone with a degree in biology or health science may want to move from the lab to a more patient-facing role. Others use this degree to shift careers. In each case, an MS in Clinical Research provides the structure and knowledge to grow into positions with additional responsibility and authority, and contribute to how studies are run.

An MS in Clinical Research covers the basics that you need to run a clinical trial with human subjects. Students take biostatistics to learn how to interpret the data and epidemiology to understand how health patterns unfold. Courses in ethics and regulatory compliance outline the regulatory landscape, teaching students how to protect participants and ensure a study’s validity. Classes in clinical research methods teach students how to design studies that stand up to review.

Most universities include the same core program elements. From there, schools diverge based on their own strengths:

Additionally, all of these programs include training on fundamental skills such as communication—writing clearly, preparing a grant, and translating results into something funders and peers can understand. This essential training is found at Boston University through its MSCR program’s elective courses, Professionalism and Scientific Writing, and Bench to Bedside: Translating Biomedical Innovation.⁸ Georgetown University takes a similar path, with courses that focus on grant preparation and effective presentation of research results.⁹ 

Other schools focus more on the day-to-day operations of clinical trials. Drexel University’s MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management program, for example, includes Clinical Data Management and Clinical Trial Management I & II, emphasizing how trials are coordinated and managed.¹⁰

To apply for an MS in Clinical Research, you need a bachelor’s degree in public health or an undergraduate degree in a similar field. From there, the details depend on the school. 

Boston University asks for transcripts, a personal statement, a CV, and three letters of recommendation. The GRE isn’t required. If your earlier degree was obtained in a non-English-speaking country and the language of instruction wasn’t English, you’ll need to show proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.¹¹ 

Many schools share the same requirements, and some, like Drexel’s fully online program, mention research experience, but it isn’t required.^12,13

The structure and length of the program vary by school. For example, MUSC advertises a shorter period of 1 to 2 years for its Clinical Research MS program, depending on whether students select a part-time or full-time schedule.^6,14 

Case Western Reserve’s part-time or full-time option typically takes 2 to 4 years to complete, with slightly more complex admission requirements. The program offers two tracks — thesis and capstone — with different requirements and outcomes.^15,16 

The Thesis Pathway at CWRU is designed for clinicians with an advanced degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or allied sciences who seek a career in clinical investigation, who are “interested in developing a career in clinical investigation and who are willing to strive for leadership roles in academia, government, and private industry.” 

On the other hand, the Capstone Pathway is designed for people who have at least a bachelor’s degree in a science or health-related field who want to learn more about clinical research methodologies. This track is for those who want to support clinical research studies in an operational context, rather than a leadership role.¹³

As experience builds, leadership roles like clinical trial managers can offer new opportunities for career growth.²⁰ This management position includes setting timelines, directing teams, and keeping the study moving forward. 

Others may find themselves drawn to the compliance side, branching into public health oversight positions or working as regulatory affairs specialists on submissions and audits.²¹

Data-focused roles are just as important as operational ones. Clinical data managers design and maintain databases, spot errors, clean them up, and prepare the results for review.²² 

Some paths, like medical science liaisons (MSLs), take you outside the trial site. These medical professionals share new findings with physicians, explain the results, and maintain a bidirectional flow of communication between researchers and practicing clinicians.²³

An MS in Clinical Research lays the groundwork for a career in clinical research, but in a highly regulated field, additional certifications help you to be a more competitive candidate. The baseline is Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training, which the National Institute of Health (NIH) requires for anyone working in a funded trial.^24,25 Most employers also expect staff to hold this certification before they assist in a study.

Beyond that, there are professional credentials that add value to your MS in Clinical Research. The umbrella term is CRA certification, which is offered through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) as CCRA® (Certified Clinical Research Associate) and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) as CCRP (Certified Clinical Research Professional).^26,27 Holding the CCRA® or CCRP signifies to an employer that you’re ready to take a leadership role in trial oversight, instead of simply supporting it. 

Note: MS in Clinical Research graduates often complete GCP training early in their careers and pursue the ACRP or SoCRA certification with years of work experience under their belts. Thus, the CRA credential acts like a stepping stone for career advancement, whereas GCP training is more of an entry-level requirement.

Below is the most recent 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net, reflecting current salaries for clinical researchers.

Not every student can leave work or relocate for graduate school. That’s why there are clinical research master’s programs online, built with flexibility in mind. For working professionals, the convenience of an online format makes career advancement possible while simultaneously earning your graduate degree.

MSCR online programs offer the same rigorous training found in traditional in-person settings, including real-time instruction, virtual labs, demanding curriculum, and hands-on experience. In fact, schools like UNC Wilmington, Drexel University, and Georgetown University all offer online MS in Clinical Research programs with the same training as campus options.^14,35-36