Top 10 Reasons to Study Clinical Research at BU

There are many reasons to study Clinical Research, and Boston University’s unique program provides students with many advantages over other programs. Here are our top 10 reasons to study Clinical Research at BU:

  1. The MSCR program can be completed in 1 year, including Summer as a Full Time experience; 4 semesters (including Summer Sessions I & II).
  2. The field of clinical research offers a growing variety of career opportunities depending on your interests, skills and goals.  This was one area of the market that was seemingly not affected by the downturn in the economy.
  3. There is a tremendous need for trained clinical research professionals in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical device industries as well as clinical research organizations (CRO), site management organizations (SMO), academia and consulting.
  4. The MSCR program can be attended on a part-time (11 credits or less). or a full-time (12 – 18 credits) basis. Those who attend part-time can usually complete the program in 2 – 3 years. The core required courses take place in the late afternoons or early evenings to accommodate working professionals.
  5. The MSCR program is part of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences in the Boston University’s School of Medicine.  Within the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences there are 12 graduate programs from which to choose your electives.
  6. MSCR students are allowed to take one course outside of the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, which could include courses in the School of Public Health or at the Dental School.
  7. In addition to the MSCR program, students have the option to obtain:
  8. The core courses in the MSCR program are taught by instructors who have experience in both the academic arena of research, and the industry side of research.  Currently, two of the five core courses are co-taught by an instructor from academia and another from industry.
  9. Completion of the MSCR program qualifies you to sit for several of the clinical research certification exams offered by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and the The Society for Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA), including:
    • Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA)
    • Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC)
    • Certified Principal Investigator (CPI)
    • Association of Clinical Research Professionals – Certified Professional (ACRP-CP)
    • Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) Certification exam

    10.  The students in the MSCR program come from all areas of the world, with a vast array of professional backgrounds.

    • Approximately 1/3 of our students are physicians or dentists.
    • Approximately 1/3 of our students work full time and attend MSCR on a part-time basis.
    • Approximately 5% of our students attend MSCR right out of undergraduate school.
    • Approximately 50% of our students are International Students from areas of the world including: Brazil, Chile, China, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya,  Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.