Search | Menu Madison College, UW partner to train Wisconsin’s next generation of clinical trial professionals
A collaboration between Madison College and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health will help graduates prepare for health care and biotechnical careers.
Clinical trials professionals help bring new treatments, medical devices and therapies to patients.
Students in Madison College’s Clinical Trials Certificate Program will combine classroom learning with paid, hands-on experience, starting in 2027.
Wisconsin is projected to need more than 400 new clinical trial coordinators each year, but traditional pathways into the profession often require a bachelor's degree, says Marissa Winer, Madison College Dean of Health Sciences.
“The paid internship is one of the most innovative and impactful components of the program because it bridges the gap between education and employment,” Winer says. “Interns will build professional networks, demonstrate their abilities directly to employers, and transition more seamlessly into permanent positions upon program completion.
Students will gain hands-on experience in real clinical research settings at the University of Wisconsin Clinical Trials Institute, Fortrea and Exact Sciences, while earning income.
Clinical trials are critical to medical advancements
Dr. Amy Kind, UW School of Medicine and Public Health associate dean for Social Health Sciences and Programs, and Wisconsin Partnership Program executive director, says this innovative education pathway will play an important role in producing the next generation of clinical research professionals to meet Wisconsin’s growing workforce needs.
“This project will provide new and vital access points and opportunities for individuals across Wisconsin communities to enter the state’s health workforce and help propel future medical advances and treatments made possible through clinical trials,” Kind says.
Over the next five years, the partnership aims to serve as a model to strengthen Wisconsin's clinical research infrastructure while expanding economic and educational opportunities for residents throughout the state.
For Wisconsin's health care and biotechnology sectors, this program will help build a larger, more stable, and more community-engaged clinical trials workforce capable of supporting continued growth in research and innovation.
“Ultimately, we hope to increase access to clinical research careers, improve workforce retention, enhance community participation in clinical trials, and position Wisconsin as a leader in advancing medical discoveries that improve health outcomes for all communities,” Winer said.
The Madison College/University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health initiative is funded by a $180,000 grant from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Wisconsin Partnership Program.
Visit the Madison College website and check back for updates as the program prepares for a 2027 launch.
