Clinical Research Coordinator Badge
For More Information
For more information about the CRC badge, please email Yasheca Ebanks at yebanks@shp.rutgers.edu.
For more information on Badging, please see the Microcredentialing and Digital Badging at Rutgers University and Digital Badges at RBHS.
What is a Badge?
The use of badging to demonstrate competence is an old honored tradition used by both the military and scouting organizations. Digital badging became popular in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s when game-based elements were introduced into the classroom to engage learners. It is now becoming increasingly popular among institutions of higher education to award badges for learning and perfecting specific competencies related to a field of study.
Description of the Clinical Research Coordinator Badge
This CRC Badging Course is designed to introduce individuals to the responsibilities, knowledge, and tasks performed by entry-level Clinical Research Coordinators. Participants will achieve level 1 competency in six clinical trial competency domains governing the conduct of clinical trials: Scientific Concepts and Research Design, Ethics & Participant Safety Considerations, Investigational Products Development & Regulation, Clinical Study Operations (GCP), Study and Site Management, and Data Management & Informatics. These domains have been outlined by the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency For further information on Clinical Trial Competencies, click here.
The CRC Badging course is self-paced, takes about 20 hours to complete and consists of 5 modules. The course is structured to fit into the busy schedules of working professionals while maintaining the highest degree of academic rigor but must be completed in 6 weeks. Each module begins with a video introduction outlining the topics and ends with a multiplechoice quiz. Participants receive three attempts to earn a minimum of 90% on the quizzes before moving to the next module. The modules must be completed in order.
The CRC badge is issued by Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP) in collaboration with the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJACTS).
Module One Scientific Concepts and Research Design
This module describes the foundational principles governing drug development including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and reviews how a suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) may be identified. Participants will also learn some basic research designs and statistics used to evaluate drug effectiveness and apply this knowledge to critically analyze study results.
Module Two Ethical & Participant Safety Considerations
This module encompasses the ethical care of patients enrolled in a clinical trial. Participants will learn about the historical events that have led to the current human subject’s protection regulations and evolution of informed consent. The mission, functions, and procedures of the Institutional Review Boards and treatment of vulnerable subjects are reviewed.
Module Three Investigational Products Development & Regulation
Participants will learn the regulations that must be followed when bringing product to market. Investigational New Drug Applications (INDAs) and New Drug Applications (NDAs) are described, and the stages of drug development are reviewed in detail.
Module Four Clinical Study Operations and Site Management
This module takes the participant on the drug development journey by covering events taking place at a study site and at the sponsor. It operationalizes the conduct of a clinical trial and reviews specific tasks that must be performed.
Module Five Data Management & Informatics
Successful drug discovery depends on collecting quality data. This module reviews how study data is handled as well as data privacy regulations. Rules regulating reporting of adverse drug reactions are also covered.
Course Fees
| Participant | Cost |
| Undergraduate and Graduate Students | $25/participant |
| Postdocs/Fellows | $35/participant |
| Faculty Members/Staff/Residents/Researchers | $100/participant |
| Institutions and other CTSA’s | $200/participant |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Clinical Research Coordination Level-1 Badge?
- This CRC Badging Course is designed to introduce individuals to the responsibilities, knowledge, and tasks performed by entry-level Clinical Research Coordinators.
2. What are the CRC Badge program details?
- Participants will achieve level 1 competency in six clinical trial competency domains governing the conduct of clinical trials: Scientific Concepts and Research Design, Ethics & Participant Safety Considerations, Investigational Products Development & Regulation, Clinical Study Operations (GCP), Study and Site Management, and Data Management & Informatics.
3. What will the badge prepare me to do?
- The CRC Level-1 Badge is designed for Clinical Research Professionals, novice Investigators, and students who would like to gain entry level experience in clinical research work at an Academic Medical Center (AMC) functioning as a “study coordinator”.
4. What are the eligibility criteria to apply for the Clinical Research Coordination Level-1 Badge? See details below:
- High School Diploma
- Little to no clinical research or pharmaceutical experience
- Students can be US citizens, permanent residents (i.e., green card), or have F1 Visa’s to participate.
5. What is the application deadline?
- Rolling Applications are accepted throughout the
6. How do I apply?
- Fill out the CRC Badge online interest form here and you will be contacted via email within 24-48 hours outlining the next steps on how to formally register for an available cohort.
7. How are the courses structured?
- This 6-week online and asynchronous academic badge course is self-paced.
8. What is the score required to pass the course?
- Participants will receive three attempts to earn a minimum of 90% on the quizzes before moving onto the next course module.
9. How many hours per week should I plan to dedicate to each course?
- It takes about 30 hours to complete the badge
10. How long do I have to complete the course?
- You are allotted 6 weeks (43 days) to complete the the badge.
11. Is there a class size limit per cohort?
- Due to the competitive nature for attaining the CRC badge, each cohort is limited to 50 students per class.
12. Are there fees associated with the badge course?
Registration is currently closed to general audiences outside of the NJ ACTS Community.
- Undergraduate and Graduate students within the NJ ACTS community ($25/participant)
- Post Docs and Fellows within the NJ ACTS community ($35/participant)
- Faculty Members/Staff/Residents/Researchers within the NJ ACTS community ($100/participant)
- Other CTSA Hubs ($200/participant)
- Other Academic Institutions ($200/participant)
13. Do I have to use my university email address to participate in the course?
- Yes, all students, faculty, and staff within the NJ ACTS Community (Rutgers, Princeton, and NJIT) are expected to use their university email addresses and this is due to the learning management system that the course is built in.
- Guest accounts can be created if your CTSA or organization is not an affiliate of NJ ACTS.
14. I am having trouble accessing the lockdown browser on my electronic device. Why is this?
- The program does not work with Chromebooks and some older versions of MAC OS .
- If your computer or network is blocking the Lockdown Browser software on your company device, you may want to try using a personal computer on your home network.
- If you experience additional technical difficulties, reach out to shphelp@shp.rutgers.edu or isthelp@rbhs.rutgers.edu for additional support.
15. If I happen to have questions while navigating through the course modules, is there a help desk available to contact?
- Please contact the NJ ACTS Project Manager/CRC Badge Course Program Administrator at yebanks@shp.rutgers.edu.