USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
MS in Clinical Trial Management
Los Angeles, USA
MSc
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 71,808 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* fall 2025
** academic year 2023-24: $2,244/unit
Key Summary
Introduced in 2024, the STEM-designated Clinical Trial Management program is designed to deepen a student’s understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry with application in research, specifically the conduct of clinical trials.
The field of clinical research is focused on developing cost-effective ways to treat disease and increase quality of life through the successful development and launch of new biologics, devices, and pharmaceuticals. This program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to work in various fields such as pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, healthcare, biotechnology research, and development, with a focus on clinical trial management, development, and operations.
This program will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of conducting clinical trials. It will use a multi-perspective approach to address real-world issues and problems that may arise in your future employment settings. Courses will cover topics like medical product regulation, clinical trial project management, medical product safety, ethics, and clinical trial writing and document writing.
Courses are offered on weekends to accommodate working professionals and can be attended online for those looking to complete their studies from outside of the Los Angeles area. Students set their own pace, taking as many courses as they wish to take each semester.
Courses for the degree program will begin in spring 2025.
The USC MS in Clinical Trial Management degree requires satisfactory completion of 32 units beyond the baccalaureate degree. The core curriculum includes courses that focus on basic regulatory frameworks, clinical trial management, clinical research, statistics, and ethics, as well as elective options. Hands-on experience is encouraged through participation in academic and industry internships or the TRAQS program.
Required Courses
All of the courses offered by the Department of Regulatory and Quality Science can be taken either in-person or online (within the United States). Upon admission, we will work with you to develop a course plan that fits your needs.
Introductory Regulatory
RSCI 511: Introduction to Medical Product Regulation
RSCI 512: Regulation of Drugs and Biological Products
RSCI 513: Regulation of Medical Devices & Diagnostics
Clinical Trial Management
RSCI 517: Structure & Management of Clinical Trials
RSCI 536: Clinical Trial Writing and Documentation Management
RSCI 537 Clinical Trial Project Management
Clinical Research/Statistics
RSCI 522: Introduction to Clinical Trial Design & Statistics
Safety
RSCI 527: Medical Product Safety
RSCI 520: Introduction to Risk Management for Health Care Products
Ethics
RSCI 602: Science, Research, and Ethics
Electives
Any remaining units can be filled with elective coursework chosen from the courses offered by the Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and Dean Papadopoulos, the Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences offers multiple scholarships based on financial need, scholastic achievement, and leadership qualities.
Scholarships do not have to be repaid and are awarded in varying amounts to students who meet special criteria and qualifications outlined by a selection committee or donor. Unless otherwise indicated, all scholarships and merit awards can only be used toward tuition expenses.
If you are receiving financial aid, due to federal financial aid guidelines your award package may be affected through a reduction in your overall award amount.
Eligibility and Application Process
Students must be enrolled in one of our programs full-time at the time of disbursement unless otherwise noted. Students in our Progressive Degree Program are only eligible after completing their undergraduate program unless otherwise noted. International students are eligible for all departmental scholarships and are strongly encouraged to apply.
Scholarship applications will open June 28, 2024, and are due by July 14, 2024, at 11:30 pm PST
- Recipients are selected by a committee of reviewers comprised of faculty and staff.
- Candidates must submit one (1) essay application per scholarship demonstrating how they meet that specific criterion.
- Candidates that do not fulfill the following criteria will be disqualified:
- An up-to-date Resume/CV must be provided in addition to the essay.
- Essay must include the candidate’s program/major and why the program is relevant to the chosen scholarship.
- Essay must be no more than one (1) page in length.
- Essay must follow the formatting guidelines typical to Regulatory Science (i.e.: 12pt font in Times New Roman or Arial, 1.5 spacings, 1-inch margins).
Notification of Scholarship Award
Final decisions on awards are contingent upon acceptance into the program. We do not send notifications to those applicants not selected.
Please note, scholarship awards may be impacted due to a change in program length or a leave of absence. We encourage you to submit a scholarship web contact form to confirm how your award may be impacted.
Not all scholarships may be awarded during the academic year.
On-site Program
Get to know more about the Regulatory Science on-site program.
Courses can be taken onsite and our program offices and classrooms are located on the USC Health Sciences Campus in downtown Los Angeles, California. Onsite courses are typically held on the weekends so that working professionals can attend courses while working full-time during weekdays. Students attending class onsite have the chance to interact with the speakers, faculty, and fellow students. Coming to class is a great networking experience that allows the formation of important relationships with those with similar backgrounds in the field of Regulatory Science. Breakfast and lunch are served each day.
Our classes take place at:
University of Southern California
1540 Alcazar Street, CHP (Center for Health Professions)
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Distance Program
USC Distance Courses were created for busy professionals who wish to further their education but cannot travel to traditional classrooms. We have successfully delivered programs to students across the US for more than 15 years.
Our online courses are taught by the same academic experts who teach in the traditional classroom and students participate in the same classes as students who attend onsite. Online coursework allows students to work independently and absorb new concepts at their own pace. At the same time, there is a great deal of personal contact with fellow classmates and with professors. Lectures can be viewed in “real-time” or at another time that may be more convenient.
Online students receive administrative support, and academic and career services from the Regulatory Science staff and faculty.