Online Certificate in Clinical Trials Design & Research
Founded in 2014, the Clinical Trials Design and Research Graduate Certificate provides individuals a formal opportunity to further their knowledge in clinical trial design.
Clinical Trials Design and Research Graduate Certificate Highlights
High Quality Education
Students take this program to deepen their knowledge of various aspects of drug development, including regulatory, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, contract research organizations, contract laboratories, manufacturing, as well as academic health centers and research institutions.
Along with our Clinical Trials Design and Research certificate, we offer a Masters in Pharmaceutical Sciences with an emphasis on Pharmaceutics/Drug Development as well as the Global Regulatory Affairs in Drug Development certificate. These three options are all online, asynchronous and available to part-time and full-time students.
All credits taken as part of this certificate may be subsequently applied toward the Masters in Drug Development Sciences.
Flexibility
- 100% online
- Only 12 credit hours
- Start in the fall, spring, or summer semester
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
The Clinical Trials Design and Research Graduate Certificate program is designed for individuals working in the scientific, regulatory, and business aspects of drug development.
Pharmacy, medical, nursing, and business graduates already working in drug development will benefit from this online degree program.
Prerequisites
- A U.S. bachelors degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from a foreign country
- A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 or foreign equivalent
- Some experience in drug development or clinical research
- For international students, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 90 (internet-based) or 235 (computer-based), or a Duolingo English Test of at least 110 is accepted.
- GRE is not required for the graduate certificate
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Fall 2026 for all applicants who apply by July 1, 2026
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- Are currently serving in the US armed forces
- Are veterans of the US armed forces
You can find more information here. Applications are accepted continuously throughout the year. Please review and submit the following materials:
All applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of conferral.
Official transcripts are not required until the student has received and accepted an offer of admission from the university. Once the offer has been confirmed, the student must submit official transcripts.
Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
For questions regarding international students, contact an Enrollment Services Advisor.
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Two letters of reference are required.
References should come from individuals who can attest to your academic and professional skills. Letters of recommendation from family, friends, current students, politicians, or clergy are not accepted.
A professional and current resume.
Provide a few paragraphs on why you plan to pursue this program and how you plan to use this degree in the future.
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Summer 2026 Fall 2026 |
April 1, 2026 July 15, 2026 |
May 11, 2026 August 24, 2026 |
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
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We offer over 130 degrees from undergraduate to doctoral programs.