YPSILANTI, Mich., May 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Clinical Research Administration graduate program at Eastern Michigan University has been ranked number one in the nation by a prominent website – The Healthcare Management Degree Guide – that rates health care degrees from various disciplines. Eastern was listed at the top of 25 other American Universities, and was the only program ranked from the state of Michigan.

Professor Stephen Sonstein, program director of the Clinical Research Administration Program at Eastern, says there is an estimated shortage of 10,000 qualified clinical research professionals in the world.

 "The EMU program in Clinical Research Administration was one of the first academic programs developed in this discipline and is well known and highly regarded globally," Sonstein said. "Since 1996, our graduates have been employed both locally, throughout the U.S. and around the world."

The Healthcare Management Degree Guide said in its description that "Eastern Michigan University's accredited MS in clinical research might be one of the best programs for working adults who already have an established career in a research facility."

"EMU expects – and then builds on – a certain level of prior education and relevant work experience," the guide noted. "By assuming this baseline of industry knowledge, EMU is able to offer an accelerated program; students can complete all required courses (including the capstone research thesis) in as little as 24 months with part-time enrollment."

The ranking of the program, located in EMU's College of Health and Human Services, was based on information gathered in part from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research.

"We then ranked the schools based on expertise and involvement in the field, career training and curricular relevance, accessibility to students, and application of knowledge," said Amanda Ginder, head of online relations for the guide.

Ginder said that Healthcare Management Degree Programs knows that many private companies – as well as government agencies, like the FDA – need clinical researchers and managers to act as watchdogs for the new medicines, treatments, and diagnostic products that are hitting the market every day. 

"Graduating with a master's degree in research and clinical research management can position you for any number of financially rewarding career paths, she said.