RALEIGH — North Carolina’s first curriculum-based Transfer Opportunity Program in clinical research was recently established by Campbell University and Durham Technical Community College to fulfill the growing need for advanced clinical research education and qualified job candidates for employers.
“The Transfer Opportunity Program in clinical research is in response to industry needs,” said Dr. Charles Carter, interim chair and associate professor of Clinical Research at the Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. “There are more employment openings than there are personnel to fill them, and our institutions are committed to training qualified and competent professionals to meet the increasing demand.”
The TOP agreement, established on July 23, allows students to seamlessly transfer between two of Durham Tech’s Associate of Applied Science programs to Campbell University’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Clinical Research program. Through this partnership, both institutions expand relationships within the North Carolina Community College System as participating members of the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.
“Durham Tech recognized the need to provide a pathway for its community college graduates to continue their educational journeys and earn more advanced degrees in clinical research,” said Carter. “Campbell offers the BAS in Clinical Research at the Raleigh location as well as its long-standing Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research on its main campus and a Master of Science in Clinical Research, which is a 100-percent online program.”
Campbell University and Durham Tech collaborated to design the BAS, which is currently offered exclusively at the Campbell University Raleigh location, an extension of Adult & Online Education.
“Community college students can envision the next two years of their academic career,” said Dr. William Gluck, program director of Clinical Trials Research Associate and Medical Product Safety/Pharmacovigilance Programs in the Durham Technical Community College Department of Health and Wellness. “The transfer agreement focuses on the strengths of both programs and helps guarantee students receive maximum credits in a four-year program.”
Both institutions are active participants in the Consortium of Academic Programs in Clinical Research and have strong industry partnerships in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. An initiative of the CoAPCR has been the development of an accreditation pathway that includes standards based upon the competency domains defined by the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency. The Campbell University and Durham Tech partnership allow students a unique opportunity for a competency-based program.