Macquarie University
Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trial Operations Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Acquire the skills needed by employers to conduct and oversee safe, patient-centred clinical trials and generate reliable data.
Course overview
Clinical trials are a fundamental part of evidence-based medical research, as they serve to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new interventions, medications, vaccines, devices and diagnostic tests. They’ve played a key role in the discovery of new treatments for many diseases and they underpin regulatory approvals around the world. Currently, there’s a critical shortage of skilled staff in the clinical trials sector and growing this workforce has been deemed a key priority by the Australian Government.
The Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trials Operations is co-designed with industry to meet the growing demand for formally accredited professionals to work in the sector. Via practical, work-related teaching and assessment combined with the study of contemporary local and global issues, you’ll gain the capabilities required by employers to deliver and manage safe, patient-centred clinical trials and produce credible data.
Key facts
What you will study
You must earn 40 credit points. Each unit is valued at 10 credit points.
Complete the following:
- Foundations of Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trial Operations
- Clinical Trial Management
- Advanced Clinical Trial Skills
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To qualify for entry to this degree, you must have the following:
- An AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent.
A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Trial Operations will hold an AQF level 7 bachelor’s qualification or recognised equivalent, with a WAM of 65.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
- Clinical Research Associate
- Clinical Research Nurse
- Clinical Research/Trial Coordinator
- Clinical Trial Assistant
- Clinical Trial Biostatistician
- Clinical Trial Data Manager
- Clinical Trial Ethics Coordinator
- Clinical Trial Pharmacist
- Drug Safety Monitor
- Medical Monitor
- Medical Writer
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $15,900 (domestic full-fee paying place).
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally four units) per semester or year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.