The course is generally a two-year course and covers the following-
• Study of Epidemology
• Patient Oriented Research
• Clinical Trials
• Behavioral Research
• Translational Research
• Health Science Research

The program involves a systematic approach towards the gathering of quality data and producing dependable results that would help in better decision-making and following better methodologies with respect to patient care. It also covers the aspects of clinics and pharmaceutical companies apart from patient care.
The multi-disciplinary program requires one to take up both core and elective subjects and engage in the following:

• Review of Existing Data
• Development of grant application in bio-medical research
• Ethical Management
• Research-based Projects
• Collection of research data
• Communication of the results of research to a scientific community

A bright future awaits the completion of the course. There are multiple job opportunities to choose from. There are research-based jobs in the clinical research industry, drug development sector and many related fields as well as teaching assignments in reputed educational institutions. The students will be able to get jobs that will do full justice to the knowledge that they have gathered so far as well as allow them to explore their field of interest. The two-year course charges reasonably low fees as compared to the other courses offering jobs of similar pay-scale. Ph. D. in clinical research is thus a very economical career option.

Since the program is research-based, each student has to find a university approved guide for the purpose of research, decide a topic for the same and get it approved by the concerned team. Consequently, a thesis will be required to be prepared.

Various institutions of India are offering courses in Ph. D. in clinical research today. Selection of the institution is as important as selection of the guide. So, before enrolling himself or herself to an educational center, a student must check whether it is approved by UGC or any other equivalent authority. It should also be ensured that the institution has adequate infrastructure and facilities to carry on the research successfully. Other areas to consider would be the faculty base of the institution and the success stories of the ex-students. One such esteemed educational center is Institute of Clinical Research, India (ICRI).