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Program and research coordinator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a program and research coordinator. Program and research coordinators usually study psychology, biology, or business. 66% of program and research coordinators hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 629 real program and research coordinator resumes to see exactly what program and research coordinator education sections show.

The most common colleges for program and research coordinators are the Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins University.

There are also many online program and research coordinator courses to help get the education required to be a program and research coordinator.

There are certain program and research coordinator certifications that you should consider. These program and research coordinator certifications include Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC).

What education do you need to become a program and research coordinator?

What degree do you need to be a program and research coordinator?

The most common degree for program and research coordinators is bachelor's degree, with 66% of program and research coordinators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 24% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 66%
  • Master's, 24%
  • Doctorate, 4%
  • Associate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a program and research coordinator?

You should major in psychology to become a program and research coordinator. 22% of program and research coordinators major in psychology. Other common majors for a program and research coordinator include biology and business.

Most common colleges for program and research coordinators

Program and research coordinators often get their degrees at Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland - College Park, and Towson University. Here are the most common colleges for program and research coordinators in the US based on their resumes.
Program and research coordinator common collegePercentages
Johns Hopkins University12.03%
University of Maryland - College Park11.28%
Towson University9.77%
University of Illinois at Chicago6.77%
University of Massachusetts Boston6.02%

Best majors for program and research coordinators

RankMajorPercentages
1Psychology22.3%
2Biology11.8%
3Business8.6%
4Public Health7.6%
5Nursing6.7%

Best colleges for program and research coordinators

The best colleges for program and research coordinators are Duke University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.

A program and research coordinator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for program and research coordinators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become program and research coordinators.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

7. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Enrollment

16,205

8. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

9. Clemson University

Clemson, SC • Private

In-state tuition

$15,374

Enrollment

19,564

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for program and research coordinators

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1. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics

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If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...

2. Data Science for Health Research

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In Data Science for Health Research, learn to organize and visualize health data using statistical analysis in programs like R. Explore how to translate data, interpret statistical models, and predict outcomes to help make data-informed decisions within the public health field...

3. Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research Professionals

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The Complete, Certified ICH GCP (R2 & R3) Course for Investigators, Study Coordinators, Sponsors, Monitors and Study staff...

4. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research

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The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...

5. Clinical Trials Data Management and Quality Assurance

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In this course, you’ll learn to collect and care for the data gathered during your trial and how to prevent mistakes and errors through quality assurance practices. Clinical trials generate an enormous amount of data, so you and your team must plan carefully by choosing the right collection instruments, systems, and measures to protect the integrity of your trial data. You’ll learn how to assemble, clean, and de-identify your datasets. Finally, you’ll learn to find and correct deficiencies...

6. Qualitative Research Design and Methods for Public Health

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This specialization will enable public health professionals and researchers to design effective qualitative studies addressing a range of public health issues, select and implement appropriate qualitative methods to meet their study's objectives, and generate and analyze qualitative data...

7. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS

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Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...

8. Certificate Course in Clinical Research (CCCR)

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A Clinical Research Course-ICH-GCP E6(R2), Clinical Trials, Essential Documents, Sponsor, Investigator, Pharmaceuticals...

9. Uncertainty and Research

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This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...

10. Foundations of Health Equity Research

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Introduces students to the core principles of health equity research. Covers topics such as defining health equity, engaging community and policy stakeholders, patient-centeredness, cultural competence, and dissemination of research findings. Content will recognize different geographic, cultural, and social contexts where health inequities occur...

11. Basic of Clinical Data Management

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4.5
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Clinical Data Management...

12. Clinical Research for beginners

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4.2
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The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...

13. Good Clinical Practice ICH GCP for Clinical Research

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Certification on ICH GCP E6 R2 Good Clinical Practice for Clinical Research The Only Complete Course You Can Find Online...

14. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

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4.6
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Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

15. SPSS For Research

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SPSS data analysis made easy. Become an expert in advanced statistical analysis with SPSS...

16. Research Methodology

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Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...

17. Statistics / Data Analysis: Survey Data and Likert Scales

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How to Process Survey Data and Analyze Likert Scales In SPSS...

18. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

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Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

19. Market Research: A-Z Fundamentals with Case Studies

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Learn Market Sizing & Forecasting, Survey Design, Customer & Competitor Analysis to become a PRO Market Research Analyst...

20. The 16-hour SPSS Pro: Analysis, Interpretation, and Write-Up

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16 Hours of Instruction From a 13 Year Researcher and College Instructor...

Top 10 most affordable universities for program and research coordinators

The most affordable schools for program and research coordinators are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and university of florida.

If the best universities for program and research coordinators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for program and research coordinators.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for program and research coordinators

The hardest universities for program and research coordinators to get into are Duke University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for program and research coordinators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for program and research coordinators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

6. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for program and research coordinators

The easiest schools for program and research coordinators to get into are D'Youville College, curry college, and felician university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a program and research coordinator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for program and research coordinators.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

3. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

9. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

10. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

Average program and research coordinator salary by education level

According to our data, program and research coordinators with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $65,273 annually. Program and research coordinators with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $61,631.
Program and research coordinator education levelProgram and research coordinator salary
Master's Degree$61,631
High School Diploma or Less$45,856
Bachelor's Degree$55,904
Doctorate Degree$65,273
Some College/ Associate Degree$47,937

Program and research coordinator education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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