Why Choose the Boston College Clinical Research Certificate Program?
- Gain an understanding of clinical research methodologies, regulations, and best practices. Equip yourself with the knowledge demanded by top pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and healthcare organizations worldwide.
- Elevate your career prospects with a respected certificate.
- Learn from industry experts and accomplished professionals who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Benefit from their insights and guidance.
- Our program offers flexibility to suit your schedule. A varied live, online course schedule allows you to choose an iteration that works around your other commitments.
- Put theory into practice with practical exercises and case studies. Gain a broad perspective of clinical trials, collecting data, and analyzing results to prepare for your career as a clinical research professional.
- Connect with fellow students, alumni, and industry experts. Build a powerful professional network.
Whether you aspire to become a Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Trial Coordinator, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, or Clinical Data Manager, our Clinical Research Certificate program will empower you with the knowledge and skills to excel in this dynamic and vital field.
This certificate program consists of three courses that will provide you with the tools you need to become successful in today's rigorous marketplace.
- Clinical Research: Principles, Protocols and Procedures
- Project Management in Clinical Research
- Career Pathways in Clinical Research
Each session is taught by an instructor currently working in that topic area. They work at organizations including: Boston Children’s Hospital, Centrexion Therapeutics, Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Inc., EndPointe Clinical Resources, Inc, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, ImmunoGen, Inc., Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Oncology), Medidata, Merck, Propel Careers, QurAlis, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Valerio Therapeutics
See Course Descriptions and Times in the Tabs Below
Clinical Research: Principles, Protocols and Procedures
The content of this course is designed to provide a thorough overview of clinical research conduct, the drug development process, the roles of the Clinical Research Associate and Clinical Research Coordinator, and other key roles in the conduct of clinical research.
This course meets for 10, three hour sessions:
Session 1: Overview of the Clinical Research Process
Session 2: Clinical Research Personnel, Service Providers, and the Site Selection Process
Session 3: Human Subject Protections and Regulatory Oversight
Session 4: Clinical Trial Conduct, Monitoring and Record Keeping
Session 5: Components of Ethical Evaluation of Human Research and Privacy Considerations
Session 6: Recruitment and Retention, Drug Compliance and Accountability, and Study Close-Out Procedures
Session 7: Pharmacovigilance in Drug/Device Development
Session 8: Audits & Inspections: Ensuring Clinical Research Quality
Session 9: The Role of Data Management in Clinical Research
Session 10: Study Budgets and Contracts: Evaluation and Negotiation
$1899
(includes $75 book fee)
Thursdays, September 18 to November 20, 2025
6:00 - 9:00 PM ET
Saturdays, February 14 to
March 14, 2026
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM*
* Two sessions per day with a
30 minute break in between.
(9:00 - 12:00 and 12:30 - 3:30)
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
May 5 to June 4, 2026
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Project Management in Clinical Research
This course will provide an overview of the project management processes: initiation, planning, project life cycle, effective team building, execution, monitoring, tracking, risk management, change management, contingency planning, and close-out processes and procedures.
This course will benefit professionals interested in pursuing a clinical research career by providing a clear understanding of project management principles and processes.Learn industry trends and best practices through real-world examples involving team projects and case studies presented by experts in the industry. Through discussion, presentation, and interaction, this course will broaden the participants' knowledge of the project management process in clinical research.
At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants will be able to:
- Define a project and project management
- Describe the project phases and life cycle
- Understand how project management is applied for a clinical research project
- Summarize activities in project scope, time, and cost management in clinical research
- Understand project risk management and mitigation planning
- Describe project quality management
- Understand project communications
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
June 10, 12, 17, & 19, 2025
6:00 - 9:00 PM
______________________________
$629
September 30, October 7, 14, & 21, 2025
6:00 - 9:00 PM
______________________________
Saturdays, March 28, April 4 & 11, 2026
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
June 9, 11, 16, & 18, 2026
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Career Pathways Clinical Research
This course deals with the challenges related to managing change associated with career transition. Understand the clinical research field as well as your career strengths, career interests, and values. In addition, focus on your uniqueness and its value to yourself and the marketplace. Identify transferable skills and accomplishments that can be used in clinical research. Learn from clinical research experts how to market yourself and how to enter the clinical research arena.
This course is presented in two sessions that will prepare you to confidently embark on your job search.
Session 1: Computerized Systems in Clinical Research
Clinical Trial Management System Software Review of Clinical Trials
- Electronic Data Capture (EDC)
- Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS)
- Risk Based Monitoring (RBM)
Session 2: Transitioning into and Growing a Career in Clinical Research
Résumé Basics, Job Search Strategies, and Internet Marketing
- Overview of clinical research roles
- Tips to structure a job search
- Résumé tips Informational interviewing to accelerate a search
- Social media tools (LinkedIn) for your search
- Networking
Tuesday & Thursday
June 24 & 26, 2025
6:00 - 9:00 PM
________________________________________________
Tuesdays
November 4 & 11, 2025
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Monday & Wednesday
April 27 & 29, 2026
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Tuesday & Thursday
June 23 & 25, 2026
6:00 - 9:00 PM
These multidisciplinary courses have been designed for professionals interested in moving into the field of pharmaceutical/clinical research. Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies seek out nurses or people with a science background for these roles because they have a scientific knowledge base, good interpersonal skills, and experience working with physicians and other nurses. Participants also use this certificate program as a refresher or as a review for certification examination.This certificate program provides you with the tools you need to become successful in today's rigorous marketplace.
To earn a certificate, a student must successfully complete all of the required courses within a two-year period. In order to receive contact hours, participants must attend the course and complete the examinations.