Virtual Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trial Management

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should take part in the program and what are the requirements?

• The Virtual Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trial Management program is a part-time program aimed at working professionals who are graduates with a background in Life Sciences, Medicine and Nursing, or Information Science, Biostatistics and Business with relevant professional experience.
• Undergraduate, Master and PhD level qualifications in these disciplines are accepted.
• Applications from recent graduates are welcome.
• No previous work experience in Clinical Research or Clinical Trial Management is necessary.

How good do my English language skills really need to be?

All course materials are in English and the virtual instructor-led sessions are conducted in English.

To ensure that you enjoy your experience of the program to the fullest, and to ensure that you benefit from the input that program participants bring to the classroom, we recommend participants to have Level C1 English according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or equivalent. If you do not have an English language certificate but have previously worked and/or studied in English that is fully accepted.

If you are not sure if your English level is sufficient to join the program, the Program Management staff will be able to assess that by the time a telephone cross-check is performed after you have submitted your application.

How is the program taught?

The program is made up of 7 modules including:

• Drug Development
• Ethics and Regulations of Clinical Trials
• Clinical Trial Project Management
• Clinical Monitoring
• Clinical Data Management
• Clinical Supplies and Logistics
• Core Competencies of the Clinical Research Professional

The modules are taught in part-time format over the course of 6 months (one module per month). Students will complete online components before getting connected online for each virtual instructor-led training sessions, which are scheduled to take place on specific dates., three times per module (two sessions every other week).

Can I continue working in my current job during the program?

Yes. The program is designed to facilitate the participation of working students. Live sessions with our experts will be scheduled on Saturdays, and self-paced training in our e-learning platform can be reviewed and completed on your personal schedule during the assigned weeks.

The workload for the self-paced learning for each module is roughly 20 hours, plus another 2-4 hours of simulated activity for each module. Two hour virtual, instructor-led sessions will be scheduled for each module on a specified Saturday.

How much of my time should I calculate to complete each module (workload)?

Approximately 20 hours should be set aside for completing the asynchronous online activities planned for each module and available at our e-learning platform. Furthermore, each module comes with virtual instructor-led sessions, consisting of two hours each and occurring on specific dates.

Please view the program calendar for exact dates.

Do I have to be connected at specific times to take part in the program?

Yes. Attendance to the virtual instructor-led sessions is mandatory. These sessions will be video-conference sessions with the trainer and other participants. During these sessions, students will participate in assigned exercises and/or live discussion of the module. Participation in at least 70% of the live sessions is required to complete the program. These sessions have a set date and time to take place, and participants should take that into consideration when planning their participation in the program.

What happens if I can’t attend a live session?

Attendance to live sessions is mandatory with a minimum participation of 70%. Parexel Academy will check attendance reports before issuing the completion certificate for the program. In the event you will miss more than 30% of the sessions, you should immediately inform your Program Manager to discuss and alternative work assignment.

Are live sessions recorded?

No. Live sessions are not recorded. The value of the live sessions comes from the real-time interaction between the instructor and students. If you are unable to attend a live session, please inform your Program Manager.

Who will teach me? Are the trainers available to answer questions?

Your trainers are senior industry specialists from Parexel International or other CROs and they will be available to answer your questions via email or during the video-conference encounters.

How many students are enrolled in each program?

The program has a maximum of 25 participants per course. Parexel Academy will only commence with a program once 15 applicants have enrolled.

How do I pay the program tuition fees?

Full tuition for the whole program is $3,000 USD.

Early bird discount of $500 USD will be offered to the first five registrants to sign the Service Agreement and pay their deposit of $500 to hold their place in the course.

How do I pay my tuition?

The deposit of $500 must be pre-paid within 20 days of eligibility confirmation. Details for prepayment will be included in the Service Agreement.

The remaining tuition can be paid either in a single lump sum, or divided into five equal installments to be paid monthly.

What forms of payment are allowed?

Payments must be completed via bank transfer. It is advised that participants consult with their respective banks to verify any potential costs or restrictions associated with their bank transfer process.

At this time, credit card payments are not allowed. We are only able to accept payment via bank transfer or check. More details are found in your Service Agreement.

Is funding available for the program? Are there any scholarships?

Parexel Academy is happy to offer a reduced tuition fee for early bird registration for the first five registrations of each class.

There are no scholarships available to cover or reduce the cost of the tuition at this time.

How can I get practical skills or training during the program? Are there opportunities for internships?

The part-time Virtual Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trial Management is conceived for those currently working in professional roles but looking to enter the field of Clinical Research. Given the depth of commitment necessary to meet the objectives of the program alongside the requirements of a profession, it is not planned for participants to undertake internships during the program.

Participants will be exposed to real-world simulations, practical exercises, and scenario discussions during live sessions with our experts.

Are the learning outcomes of this program transferable? 

The Virtual Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trial Management provides graduates with a thorough understanding of clinical trials. The seven-module format will produce learning outcomes that address core competencies in Clinical Research. Once put into practice they will form the basis of transferable skills and valuable knowledge for use in a role in the Clinical Research industry.

Am I guaranteed a job at Parexel after completion?

We cannot guarantee a job at Parexel upon completion of the program. However, we are confident that graduates will be competitive when applying for entry level roles in Clinical Research. Our program bridges the gap between totally inexperienced job seekers and experienced staff, who simply do not exist in sufficient quantities. In a rapidly expanding job market, this gives Parexel Academy graduates a significant advantage over candidates with no relevant knowledge or qualifications.

Which certification do I receive if I join the program?

After program completion (including all activities for all seven modules) participants will receive a postgraduate certificate issued by the Parexel Academy. Please bear in mind this is not an academic certificate, although it is highly regarded within the pharmaceutical industry.

Do you offer individual career coaching for participants?

No. We cannot offer individual coaching for each participant. All graduates will be invited to a group live session with our experts with a focus on applying and career coaching for jobs in the industry.

Will this program help me take the next step in my career?

Yes. The program is designed to provide participants with theoretical foundations of Clinical Research, but each module also presents important practical information. In particular, during the seventh module (“Core Competencies of the Clinical Research Professional”), learners will be presented with foundational information and training on what it takes to grow in the Clinical Research industry. A final live sessions with our experts will also be held at the conclusion of the program to allow participants to ask questions related to career advice and advancement.