Overview
Earn a certificate with online learning that fits your life
Affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Applied Clinical Research program is designed for individuals seeking to enter the field of clinical research.
- Program content is based on knowledge and skills for clinical research associates and managers as identified by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)
- 100% online courses to fit your life
- Taught by industry experts to help you gain the skills you need for success in applied clinical research
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Program highlights Learn More
- Theory and practical experience
- Taught by industry experts
- Learn in-demand skills and advance your career with convenient, flexible online learning that fits your life
Applied Clinical Research program features:
- Courses cover theory and practical experience
- Convenient online courses to fit your life
- Learn from industry experts
- Network with professionals from various health fields

Learning outcomes Learn More
- Understand the principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
- Examine regulatory, legal and ethical research practices
- Learn strategies for good clinical trial management
Through our Applied Clinical Research program, you’ll learn to:
- Describe Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements and legal and regulatory issues in clinical research
- Construct a clinical research protocol
- Differentiate key elements of successful study and site management
- Examine ethical issues in clinical research and select appropriate strategies
- Practice the leadership and communication skills needed in clinical research
- Demonstrate an awareness of ethical practices and professional standards applicable for clinical research
- Effectively communicate with the various stakeholder groups engaged in clinical trials
- Demonstrate personal management, leadership and project management skills
Learn more about the Applied Clinical Research program
Professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including:
- Health sciences
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Health informatics
- Epidemiology
- Anyone looking to break into the field of Applied Clinical Research
Earning a Certificate in Applied Clinical Research opens doors to wide range of rewarding careers such as:
- Research Associate
- Clinical Research Associate
- Clinical Research Project Manager
- Clinical Research Assistant
- Assistant Clinical Researcher
- Senior Clinical Research Associate
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Research Associate in a specific discipline/specialty (e.g., Oncology)
- Research Associate
- Clinical Trial Supervisor
- Clinical Trial Coordinator
SOCRA: The Society of Clinical Research Associates
Students completing the Applied Clinical Research program with McMaster Continuing Education could qualify for the SOCRA certification under Category 3 as long as they meet all requirements. Candidate eligibility for the SOCRA certification can only be assessed by SOCRA according to SOCRA full list of requirements. Acceptance is not guaranteed and it is up to SOCRA’s discretion to accept candidates after reviewing candidate’s profile. If you have a question about Candidate Eligibility please email SOCRA at certification@socra.org.
Check out our latest Health Program Preview video to learn more about the Applied Clinical Research program
What Our Recent Graduates Say
“The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.”
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate

Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
“I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.”
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate

Tracy
Project Management graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
“The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.”
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate
“I wanted to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that.”
I wanted to be able to reinvent myself and change my career path and I was able to do that because of McMaster Continuing Education. Being a nurse, there are so many different avenues of nursing that I can try new things and continue to learn. The instructors were really understanding. When you’re working full-time, having someone that will promptly answer your questions and make time for you when you need it, they made it really easy.
Krystal
Health and Social Service Skill Development graduate
“I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.”
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Applied Clinical Research Certificate
CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED CLINICAL RESEARCH
Earn your Certificate in Applied Clinical Research with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Certificate in Applied Clinical Research
Earn the Certificate in Applied Clinical Research by completing all 5 courses listed below.
Certificate in Applied Clinical Research Requirements
Academic Credit – 15 Units
Students are given a three-year period to complete all required components of the certificate program. This requirement is based on the need to remain current with legal, regulatory and ethical considerations in the field of work.
Note: Courses must be taken in the following order:
- Principles of Clinical Research
- Research Ethics
- Clinical Trial Design
- Clinical Trial Management
- Clinical Research Capstone
COURSES (COMPLETE ALL 5)
3.0 UNITS
ACR 101
Principles of Clinical Research
3.0 UNITS
ACR 102
Research Ethics
3.0 UNITS
ACR 103
Clinical Trial Design
3.0 UNITS
ACR 104
Clinical Trial Management
3.0 UNITS
ACR 105
Clinical Research Capstone
Applied Clinical Research Courses
Applied Clinical Research Courses
Advance your career with online Applied Clinical Research courses
Explore course options below and register today!
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3.0 UNITS
ACR 101
Principles of Clinical Research
3.0 UNITS
ACR 102
Research Ethics
3.0 UNITS
ACR 103
Clinical Trial Design
3.0 UNITS
ACR 104
Clinical Trial Management
3.0 UNITS