VCU news

By Jackie Kruszewski
C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research

In the midst of a pandemic, human health research has never been more important. Now graduates can prepare for a career in it at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, VCU’s home for science that supports the health of the community, will enroll its first class of students this fall in a new post-baccalaureate Certificate in Clinical Research.

Students will develop the knowledge and skills they need to organize, coordinate and administer clinical research studies and trials. They’ll learn to work with research participants in a culturally aware manner, to support and perform quality data collection, and to apply ethical and regulatory requirements.

“As we’ve seen these past few months, the human infrastructure behind clinical trials and research is crucial to bringing safe and effective treatments to patients,” said F. Gerard Moeller, M.D., director of the Wright Center and associate vice president for clinical research. “This new certificate program helps grow and develop the workforce that moves health research forward.”

The first of its kind in Virginia, the 12-credit program rounds out the educational opportunities offered by the Wright Center. Its doctoral and master’s programs in clinical and translational sciences train future researchers in the interdisciplinary skills they need to bring science and research into patient care — from bench to bedside.

“Globally and regionally, there’s a great need for experienced and knowledgeable clinical research professionals,” said Catherine Brown, the Wright Center’s administrator for the certificate program. “This program is designed with a cross-disciplinary approach to prepare individuals for first-time entry into the field or to support a mid-career transition. And it provides graduate-level career development for current clinical research professionals.”

Post-baccalaureate certificates further undergraduate education without enrollment in a graduate-level degree program. Most required courses for the certificate are at the graduate level, with a limited number at the upper-division baccalaureate level. The Certificate in Clinical Research provides a unique academic foundation for professional credentialing.

Applications for fall admission are due Aug. 1. Learn more about the program at the Wright Center’s website.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia approved the program in April, along with a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Innovation offered by VCU’s School of Nursing and the da Vinci Center for Innovation.