5 Most Affordable Online Masters in Clinical Research

When it comes to careers in social work, clinical research specialists are worth their weight in gold. Social Worker Degree Guide's 5 Most Affordable Online Master's in Clinical Research can help you decide which online degree can help you achieve the career of your dreams.

Choosing an Online Master's Program

If you're not quite sure of the difference between typical social work professions and clinical research specialists, the key difference lies in how much education is required and the specialization of practice. Students who earn their Masters in Clinical Research have found work in roles such as clinical research associates, project or data managers, clinical monitors, and biostatisticians.

Clinical research specialists not only oversee the development of biotech equipment and pharmaceutical drugs but also conduct research involving medical trials and directly interacting with patients groups. Diligence, along with a thorough education, is vital for clinical research specialists to master because the smallest mistakes could cause irreparable harm coming to patient populations. While laboratory research is typically an expected component for clinical research degrees, advancements in technology have made it possible for online students to access an equivalent quality of education without a demanding schedule.

From pharmacies to labs, or government offices to school districts – there's a vast amount of career options for students to utilize their online degree. As such, we've compiled the following 5 Most Affordable Online Master's in Clinical Research. 

Methodology

This ranking is all about affordability. Below you'll find the Most Affordable Online Master's in Clinical Research organized by their Average Net Price – the total you'll pay for a degree at that school, including expected financial aid and fees.

Online Social Work Programs For You

#5 – Campbell University

Master of Science in Clinical Research
Buies Creek, NC
More Information

Campbellsville University Christian Social Work Degree

Graduate Tuition/Fees: $25,483

Beginning in 2014, Campbell University offers a highly accessible online Masters of Science in Clinical Research for, both, U.S. and international students. With an online curriculum available entirely online, students are not required to attend classroom or laboratory coursework. Students are encouraged to enroll full-time to complete their degree within two years, but part-time options are also available. Campbell's MS requires courses such as Pharmacokinetics, Advanced Data Management, and Biostatistical Modeling to prepare students for careers within pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Score: 39.68

#4 – The Ohio State University – Main Campus

Master of Applied Clinical and Preclinical Research
Columbus, OH
More Information
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $17,971

Ohio State University comes in at #4 for its online Master of Applied Clinical & Preclinical Research program, or MACPR, where students can work amongst clinical research professionals. OSU's integration of assistantship and coursework teaches students how to develop new drugs and medical devices for future patients.

MACPR offers two interdisciplinary specializations where graduates prepare for jobs such as CRAs, CRCs, regulatory specialists, or clinical and safety pharmacology professionals. OSU's Nursing and Pharmacy Departments develop concentrations involving Clinical Research Management and Regulatory Affairs. OSU's online MS degree requires courses such as Data Analysis and Interpretation, Research Design and Methods, and Fundamentals of Pharmacology.

Score: 59.50

#3 – University of North Carolina – Wilmington

Master of Science in Clinical Research & Product Development
Wilmington, NC
More Information

Graduate Tuition/Fees:$16,218

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington offers an online Masters of Science in Clinical Research and Product Development for students who wish to practice their interests in social work within a clinical setting. Past UNC Wilmington graduates are now working in mid- to upper-level positions for biopharmaceutical clinical research industry such as PPD, INC Research, IQVIA, and Chiltern.

Core classes for UNC Wilmington's MS include of Epidemiology and Safety, Current Issues in Global Regulatory Development, and Biopharm Technology Transfer & IP Management. An accredited Bachelor's degree in life sciences, a healthcare discipline, or mathematics is required for admissions. Applicants without prior clinical research experience can apply for the Certificate in Clinical Research Operations as an admission prerequisite.

Score: 62.61

#2 – Saint Cloud State University

Master of Science in Applied Clinical Research
Saint Cloud, MN
Website
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,582

Saint Cloud State University's online Master's of Science in Applied Clinical Research is available for, both, full-time and part-time students who are interested in earning additional professional certifications. Nearly all of SCSU's online faculty are executives and senior management-level leaders with at least 15 years of experience in the health sciences industry, including Clinical Research. Online courses are offered weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

In addition, SCSU allows MS students to participate in clinical assistantships each semester. SCSU's online MS program is the only Clinical Research degree in the U.S. to focus on medical devices specifically. SCSU hosts an annual Medtech Networking and Job Fair – the largest of its kind in the U.S. to feature medtech industry companies.

Score: 47.06

#1 – Arizona State University – Tempe

Master of Science in Clinical Research Management
Tempe, AZ
Website
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,007

Arizona State University's online Master of Science in Clinical Research Management helps students advance in the healthcare industry with a simple and accelerated degree program. Overall, Arizona's MS online program requires 11 classes, totaling 33 credit hours. Online students also have the opportunity to complete an elective capstone involving a Clinical Research Management Project.

ASU's College of Nursing and Health Innovation created the online MS program for Clinical Research Management in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, a large non-profit hospital based in Rochester, MN. The high-profile partnership earned the Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Award in 2015 from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Graduates of ASU's online MS typically work as professional clinical research coordinators, nurse specialists, social science research assistants, or clinical laboratory technicians. Core curriculum courses range from clinical Research Monitoring to Fundamentals of Regulatory Affairs.

Score: 48.48