Newswise — With an increasing number of new health products entering the market each year, industry leaders say they need professionals with graduate level degrees to conduct business in accordance with regulatory requirements in order to protect public health. According to AZBio, Arizona’s advocate for the statewide bioscience industry, Arizona is home to one of the fastest growing bioscience industries in the United States.

As such, the number of jobs with regulated industry and with regulatory agencies is rapidly expanding in Arizona and throughout the United States. Colleges and universities that offer graduate regulatory education programs can be expected to take an increasingly important role in preparing these professionals in the years to come. To address these needs, the College of Nursing & Health Innovation at Arizona State University has launched a new Regulatory Science concentration to supplement the Master of Science, Clinical Research Management (CRM) degree.

The Clinical Research Management Degree with a concentration in Regulatory Science will allow students to hone in on the regulatory aspects of the clinical research industry. “New medical products are developed and tested in a highly regulated environment,” Sandy Shire, associate director of interprofessional programs for the college said. “The CRM master’s degree prepares students to take the next step in their clinical research career by focusing their studies within the research industry. This focus on regulatory knowledge and compliance during this phase introduces the concept that products must meet current standards for quality and efficacy and are tested in accordance with regulatory requirements that protect patients and ensure that the study methods and results are valid. This concentration offers our students an opportunity to explore an emerging field and will add variety to their core coursework.”

Using a multidisciplinary approach, coursework will focus on regulatory writing techniques and the study of regulation as it relates to quality systems, medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

The regulatory science concentration is a 9-credit concentration and can be earned within the 33 credit framework of the existing CRM program. The Clinical Research Management program and the Regulatory Science Concentration are available completely online, allowing students to achieve this degree with the flexibility that online learning offers. Interactive, online discussion groups and a variety of current and topical educational materials make the program lively, interesting and contemporary.

For more information about the Clinical Research Management Degree with a concentration in Regulatory Science visit https://nursingandhealth.asu.edu/crm.

###The College of Nursing & Health Innovation at Arizona State University produces lifetime learners in nursing and health who are prepared to think critically and succeed in any situation. We ensure a high quality education, a focus on interprofessionalism and exposure to real-life experiences working with world-renowned health experts and organizations. Our graduates have an edge in the workplace and are equipped to lead change. They have a positive, lasting impact on the people and communities they serve, and inspire pride in our health system.

Visit nursingandhealth.asu.edu for more information.