Medical College of Wisconsin

What you'll study

The programme combines classroom-based modules with a mentored research component to deliver practical, research‑oriented competencies. Typical topics include:

• Research design and methods: fundamentals of study types, hypothesis formulation, and protocol development for clinical and translational projects.
• Biostatistics and data analysis: introductory and intermediate concepts in statistical reasoning, sample size estimation, basic analysis using common software and interpretation of results.
• Epidemiology and evidence synthesis: principles of population health, study bias, critical appraisal, and systematic review methods.
• Regulatory and ethical issues: human subjects protection, informed consent, institutional review board (IRB) processes, and compliance relevant to pharmacy research and clinical trials.
• Data management and reproducibility: data collection best practices, quality assurance, data security and principles of reproducible research.
• Scientific communication: preparing abstracts, posters, oral presentations and manuscript writing tailored to clinical and pharmaceutical audiences.
• Mento red research project: a supervised, small-scale project or protocol development exercise that applies taught methods to a real research question under MCW faculty guidance.

Entry requirements

Applicants are typically expected to hold a relevant health‑science qualification such as a PharmD, BS in Pharmacy, or another related bachelor’s degree. The programme also supports current pharmacy trainees and practising pharmacists seeking additional research training. Common application elements include:

• Academic transcripts demonstrating completion of an appropriate undergraduate or professional degree.
• A curriculum vitae outlining professional and research experience.
• A personal statement describing research interests, goals for the certificate and how it fits career plans.
• One or more references, preferably academic or professional who can comment on research potential or professional suitability.
• Identification of or willingness to work with an MCW faculty mentor for the mentored research component is often required or strongly encouraged.

Specific prerequisites or additional requirements (for example, minimum GPA, proof of professional licensure, or prior coursework in statistics) may be outlined by the programme office; prospective applicants should consult the Medical College of Wisconsin admissions information for precise details.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Research Certificate Program develop practical skills that are widely valued across clinical, academic and industry settings. Typical career directions include:

• Clinical research roles such as clinical research coordinator or research associate within hospitals, academic medical centres and contract research organisations (CROs).
• Positions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in areas such as medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, regulatory support and clinical development.
• Academic career pathways, where the certificate strengthens applications for research assistantships, doctoral programmes or grant-supported research positions.
• Quality improvement and outcomes research roles within health systems or pharmacy practice settings, where evidence generation and data skills are required.

The certificate can also serve as a stepping stone to further graduate study (for example, an MS or PhD) by providing foundational research experience and a supervised project to support future applications.

Why study at Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical College of Wisconsin is an established research and teaching institution with an emphasis on translational medicine and interprofessional collaboration. Students in the Research Certificate Program benefit from:

• Access to MCW’s clinical research infrastructure, including faculty mentors engaged in pharmacy‑related clinical trials and translational projects.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with clinicians, basic scientists and public health researchers across the medical centre.
• A curriculum designed to be practicable for working professionals, with balance between applied coursework and a mentored project that can be integrated with existing clinical or laboratory responsibilities.
• Support for professional development in scientific communication, grant writing basics and ethical conduct of research, all relevant to pharmacy practice and careers in industry or academia.

Prospective students should contact the programme office at Medical College of Wisconsin for detailed information on course delivery, mentor matching and how the certificate can be tailored to individual research interests.