Earn Your Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research Online
Position yourself for success in one of healthcare's rapidly growing fields. Designed for working professionals, Kent State University's Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research program allows you to customize your coursework to match your career goals—whether you're focused on research methods, regulatory affairs, or data management and analysis. Study with experienced faculty from Kent State's College of Public Health and build specialized expertise that’s in demand across the swiftly expanding landscape of clinical research.
Program Snapshot
- 100% online course delivery
- Total credits: 12
- Approximate cost per credit: $695 in state, $705 out of state
- Earn your certificate in as few as 2 semesters
Build the Career You Want
Take your career to a higher level with Kent State’s affordable, flexible undergraduate and graduate public health programs. Our 100% online programs allow you to keep up with your current responsibilities while you study. Find out how these programs can help you create the career and positive public health impact you want to have.
Download our guide to learn more about:
- Career Opportunities
- Customizing Your Degree
- The Student Experience
- Admission Requirements
- Tuition and Financial Aid
Download Program Brochure
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Get Career-Boosting Clinical Research Skills in as Few as Two Semesters
You are the ultimate expert on your career goals and interests. Recognizing this, the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research program from Kent State’s College of Public Health empowers you to choose exactly the courses you need to reach your goals. If you choose to include a clinical research practicum, a dedicated coordinator will help you find a placement for on-site practical experience in your community so you can translate your new learning to real-world impact.
Complete the certificate on your own schedule and elevate your profile in this core health profession. If you decide to earn a master’s degree, the credits for this certificate will transfer to the STEM-designated Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology or the STEM-designated Master of Public Health in Epidemiology.
Education That Works for You
Courses in this flexible program are delivered asynchronously, helping working professionals like you maintain your other commitments and responsibilities while pursuing professional education goals.
Kent State University is proud to be accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and recognized for outstanding service to the extended military community, and all students, with the Military Friendly Gold Designation.
Clinical Research Graduate Certificate Program Overview
The Clinical Research graduate certificate is a flexible program that is designed for students with different goals and needs for advancing their understanding of clinical research methods. Students in the program choose from courses in research methods, biostatistics or health policy and have the option to complete a research practicum. This certificate is appropriate for a wide range of individuals, including clinicians who need advanced training in research methods and those who are seeking credentials to move into clinical research positions.
Students may apply the courses in the certificate toward a graduate degree in the College of Public Health.
Learn Online, Excel in the Lab
Kent State’s Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research offers the opportunity to include a clinical research practicum with your online coursework, which can elevate your professional profile by strengthening your research skills. If you choose this option, a dedicated practicum coordinator will help you arrange a placement in your community.
Stack Credentials to Raise Your Professional Profile: Apply Your Certificate Credits to a Master’s Degree
Deepen your healthcare expertise and enhance your resume with the Kent State online Master of Public Health (MPH) program. Designed for working professionals with a passion for advancing healthcare, this rigorous and respected 46-credit-hour program also offers asynchronous coursework, enabling you to seamlessly manage professional and personal commitments.
Apply your clinical research knowledge immediately in the workplace and apply your credits to your Master of Public Health in Epidemiology or the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology. With this innovative program design, you can save on tuition for your master’s degree while solidifying your expertise and positioning yourself for leadership roles in the evolving healthcare landscape.
Explore the Online MPH in Epidemiology
Explore the Online MS in Clinical Epidemiology
Program Structure and Organization
Choose four of the 21 available courses to design your 12-credit-hour online clinical research graduate certificate to meet your professional goals. Focusing on one course at a time, you can complete two seven-week courses each semester while keeping up your other commitments. If you choose to include the clinical research practicum, a dedicated coordinator will help you find a local placement where you can translate your learning into real-world practice.
The Flexibility and Support You Need to Succeed
- Six rolling start dates throughout the year so you can begin the program when it fits your schedule
- No GRE requirement
- Asynchronous courses and a powerful, user-friendly learning management system
- Four focused seven-week courses, including an optional clinical research practicum in your community
Earn your graduate certificate in as few as two semesters, while keeping up with your other life commitments with the focused, asynchronous online courses in Kent State’s online clinical research program. Let Kent State help you achieve your professional public health goals.
A Career That Counts in an Expanding Industry
The field of clinical research is undergoing significant expansion. O*Net Online, a career site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, characterizes many clinical research roles as having a bright outlook, with rapid job growth and new or emerging occupations. A sampling of occupations within this group of fast-growing professions includes clinical trial managers, clinical research nurse coordinators, clinical research scientists and toxicologists.1,2
Clinical research pays well. Chart your course.
With a Graduate Clinical Research Certificate, you'll be positioned to choose from diverse roles that value clinical research credentials:
Beyond the Paycheck: The Rich Rewards of Clinical Research Careers
In addition to financial benefits and job security, clinical research roles offer the profound satisfaction derived from contributing to medical science and public health advancements. Careers in clinical research are defined by their potential to innovate, improve patient outcomes and tackle health challenges with integrity and dedication.
Kent State is committed to fostering leaders in clinical research, combining academic rigor with practical research insights and opportunities. Here, you can train to contribute effectively to healthcare advancements, addressing ethical, legal and technical challenges with professionalism and compassion. Embrace the journey with Kent State, where your academic and professional aspirations can help improve lives.
Clinical Research Graduate Certificate Program Outcomes
The Clinical Research certificate equips you for advanced roles in clinical research, research management or public health by building knowledge on a range of essential topics. You can focus on clinical research practices and regulatory standards critical for the field, prepare to navigate ethical and regulatory complexities with confidence and apply different management perspectives to clinical research or a mix of approaches. Whichever emphasis you choose, Kent State's online clinical research certificate will enhance your capacity to contribute meaningfully to public health and clinical research endeavors.
Fast-Track Your Research Career
In Kent State’s clinical research certificate program, you’ll gain skills and expertise that will make you valuable to organizations across the continuum of healthcare and public health. Leading organizations in these areas will welcome your expertise:
- Government agencies
- Research institutions
- Healthcare providers and insurers
- Schools and higher education institutions
- Non-profit organizations
- Global health organizations
Courses
Certificate Requirements
Certificate Electives, choose from the following (12 credits):
BST 60010 USING R IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(Slashed with BST 70010) Students learn the role of the computing software R for data analyses. The course covers the basics of R including how to organize and clean data and how to display data visually. Students understand how to perform descriptive and inferential statistics using R.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 1 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
BST 60011 USING SAS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(Slashed with BST 70011) Students learn the role of the computing software SAS for data analyses. The course covers the basics of SAS, including importing data, organizing and cleaning the data and using different procedures. Students understand how to perform descriptive and inferential statistics using SAS.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 1 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
BST 60012 USING EXCEL IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(Slashed with BST 70012) An introduction to using Excel in the field of public health. Students learn the skills to analyze and present data, including using formulas, pivot tables, graphs and the data analysis toolpak.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 1 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
BST 62019 BIOSTATISTICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
This course provides graduate students with an understanding of basic statistical methods as well as the skills to perform and interpret basic statistical procedures and interpret the results. Emphasis is on principles of statistical reasoning, presentation of graphical and numerical descriptive statistics, statistical inference (estimation and hypothesis testing) and careful interpretation of results. By the end of the course, students achieve competency in applying appropriate basic statistical methods to real-time data and presenting the results appropriate for public health professionals and educated lay audiences.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
BST 63013 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS IN PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
(Slashed with BST 83013) Introduces students to experimental research methods in public health settings. First introduces a number of quasi-experimental and experimental study designs, then identifies a number of statistical methods that can be used to draw correct causal inferences from the study.
Prerequisite: BST 62019 and BST 63014; and graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 50013 CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY BASICS
(Slashed with PH 40013) Course develops an understanding of clinical research, good clinical practices, research environments and methods used in clinical research. Students gain an understanding of the use of clinical investigation, from the product development stage to the application of investigations in contract research organization. Ethical implications and regulatory issues are examined.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 50014 CLINICAL TRIALS MANAGEMENT
(Slashed with PH 40014) Course examines the good clinical practices guidelines. Students learn how to conduct and manage clinical trials; understand clinical trials data; develop instruments and protocols; recognize quality control and data issues; know approaches to recruitment, retention and participant assessment; identify adverse events and measurement of response variables; and acquire skill in study close-out procedures.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 50017 PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY
(Cross-listed with PH 40017) Introduction to the field of pharmacoepidemiology, which uses epidemiology methods to understand medication use and distribution at the population level. Course examines risk-benefit and epidemiology approaches to examining medication use and therapeutic trials. Drug and device manufacturing to market are explored.
Prerequisite: BST 62019 and EPI 62017; and graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 50018 REGULATORY AFFAIRS IN CLINICAL RESEARCH
(Slashed with PH 40018) Course provides the tools for students to develop an understanding of the researcher and organization responsibility in research and development of clinical trials products. Students understand regulations from the government and industry, privacy concerns, liability and ethical issues related to clinical trials research. Examples from the field are explored in detail.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 62017 FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGY
(Slashed with EPI 72017) Introduces principles, methods and application of epidemiology. Covers the history of epidemiology, concepts of disease causation and prevention, measures of disease frequency and excessive risk, epidemiologic study designs, causal inference, outbreak investigation and screening. Provides experience with calculation of rate standardization; measures of disease frequency, association and impact; and sensitivity and specificity of screening tests. Highlights applications of epidemiology to understanding of disease etiology, transmission, pathogenesis and prevention; evaluation and public policy development.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 63016 PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH
(Slashed with EPI 83016) Course builds upon EPI 62017 to explore deeper the concepts and methods in epidemiologic research. Reviews the measures of disease frequency; association and impact; epidemiologic reasoning and causal inference; and methods and techniques for designing, implementing, analyzing and interpreting various epidemiologic study designs. Discusses advantages and limitations of various study designs. Explores threats to validity, precision and generalizability of epidemiologic studies.
Prerequisite: BST 62019 and EPI 62017; and graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 63019 EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH
(Slashed with EPI 83019) Principles of experimental designs as they apply to clinical research and clinical trials are presented at an intermediate level. Students understand randomized control trial designs and alternative designs. Study methodology, including randomization and blinding techniques, is covered. Topics include evidence-based medicine; risk prediction and risk scores; instruments and measurement; data issues; and recruitment, retention and adherence.
Prerequisite: EPI 63016; and graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 63021 ETHICAL ISSUES IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLINICAL RESEARCH
(Slashed with EPI 83021) Introduces students to historical and contemporary ethical issues that arise during public health and clinical or biomedical research studies. Broadly covers human subjects research, the responsible conduct of research and the good clinical practice guidelines.
Prerequisite: EPI 62017; and graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
EPI 63192 RESEARCH PRACTICUM IN CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(Repeatable for credit) Research practicum allows students to gain hands-on experience conducting research in a clinical setting, such as a hospital or other approved organization. Students complete the experience under the supervision of a field preceptor and faculty member.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Practical Experience
Contact Hours: 3-9 other
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory-IP
HPM 63006 COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS IN PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS
Provides an overview of cost-benefit analysis as applied to the evaluation of public health programs. Students apply principles of cost-benefit analysis and related cost utility analysis to case studies in the public health sector.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
HPM 63008 HEALTHCARE PRIVACY AND SECURITY
Introduces students to the fundamental concerns addressed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
SBS 63010 QUALITATIVE METHODS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
(Slashed with SBS 83010) In this course, students will be guided through exploration of the uses and value of qualitative approaches to research with humans through a combination of resource review and guided applied practice. Students will be provided with information about various methodologies that comprise qualitative inquiry, and will engage in practice efforts to analyze provided data, and to assess the quality of research reports.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
SBS 63011 QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
(Slashed with SBS 83011) Students will be introduced to the process and goals of qualitative data analysis relevant to research design and study purpose, and will be provided opportunities to conduct coding and other types of analysis of qualitative data using both computer assisted and manual processes. Students will focus on descriptive or generic approaches for both qualitative and mixed methods research. Students will additionally learn about and be provided opportunities for guided practice in quality control measures that include creation of an audit trail, "member checking," composition of analytic memos, and other forms of researcher initiated documentation.
Prerequisite: SBS 63010 or special approval.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Contact Hours: 3 lecture
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 12
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Certificate GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 3.000 | 3.000 |
Questions and Answers
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Choosing the right online program comes with lots of questions, and our admissions outreach advisor is here to help you sort through them all. Connect with this friendly, knowledgeable advisor for personalized guidance. Taylor will make sure you have everything you need to feel confident about your next steps at Kent State.
- Retrieved on August 28, 2025, from onetonline.org/link/summary/11-9121.01
- Retrieved on August 28, 2025, from onetonline.org/link/summary/19-1042.00
- Retrieved on August 28, 2025, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Clinical_Trial_Manager/Salary
- Retrieved on August 28, 2025, from ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Clinical-Research-Nurse-Salary#Yearly
- Retrieved on August 28, 2025, from ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Toxicologist-Salary