Graduate Certificate in Preclinical Drug Development

The Graduate Certificate in Preclinical Drug Development (a blended program that allows online participation) provides advanced training for individuals interested in preclinical aspects of translational medicine and associated research.

Translational medicine is the continuum – often known as “bench to bedside” – by which the biomedical community takes a focused point of view to move research discoveries from the laboratory into clinical practice to diagnose and treat patients. This desire to see a rapid progression from laboratory bench to hospital bedside brings with it huge hurdles that must be addressed and overcome – technological, ethical and regulatory. 

The Graduate Certificate in Preclinical Drug Development program provides advanced foundational training in preclinical aspects of drug development, translational research and regulatory control. Students will examine the multidisciplinary interactions that exist between science and medicine to enhance disease research and drug development. In addition, the wider inter-relationships with regulatory, ethical and societal sectors will be studied.

Our accredited graduate certificates develop specialists for high-demand areas within the broader field of regulatory and quality science. Programs are structured so working professionals can take one or two courses per term. Each certificate can stand alone, or you have the option to build upon your coursework and apply it later toward a master’s degree or our doctoral program.

Earn your Graduate Certificate in Preclinical Drug Development online. Request more information.

Graduate Certificate in Preclinical Drug Development Curriculum

The USC Graduate Certificate in Preclinical Drug Development requires satisfactory completion of 12 units beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Typically, courses offered by the Department of Regulatory and Quality Science can be taken either in-person or online (within the United States). Upon admission, a course plan will be developed to fit your needs.

Career Opportunities for Preclinical Drug Development Graduates

The FDA offers employment in more than 30 distinct disciplines, and opportunities within the industry can be even more varied. The following are but a few of the broad range of job categories within regulatory and quality sciences:

  • Business development/corporate strategy
  • Government affairs and policy
  • Research and development
  • Clinical trials management
  • Risk management
  • Quality assurance and control
  • Good manufacturing processes
  • Quality system regulation
  • Domestic and international compliance
  • Supply chain management
  • Project management
  • Drug safety
  • Marketing
  • Medical writing
  • Post-marketing surveillance
  • Comparative effectiveness
  • Reimbursement

Your career in preclinical drug development starts here. Request information today.

Designed for Working Professionals

All courses offered by the Department of Regulatory and Quality Sciences can be taken online or in-person. Created for working professionals who wish to further their education but cannot travel to traditional classrooms, online students participate in the same classes as students who attend onsite. Lectures can be viewed in real time or at another time.