Hi Cheryl,
I posted something earlier about the value of academic programs in clinical research. Several post BS (post-MS) certificates exist. Your MBA will be of value, but the CRM Certificate would also be of value. We have an 18 hr certificate (1 course is an elective)- which takes just over a year, only because we only offer our courses once per semester (with the exception of the elective and the final 2 CRM courses which can be taken together. The best start time to shorten things is to start off in Spring at UAB. However, there are others out there that can concentrate several courses per semester. It IS valuable and the issues you bring up about compensation are important. Device studies and oncology studies particularly have to pay close attention to the tension between what is covered in the study verses what will be covered by insurance companies. Approaching the insurance companies BEFORE the study starts to work out those issues is important. Learning to include them in the discussion as an advocate to the clinical research participant will aid them. Certainly non-academic center research can be as pivotal as academic-center based studies. I've been in both venues. And as our population ages, the issues of "ease of access" will be important to remedy for all areas (there are non-academic centers that have just as complicated parking issues and overly expensive valet parking). This is where recruitment and retention planning has to be strongly designed and negotiated with your contract. As an MBA, I am preaching to the choir!
Good luck in your decision-making about academic programs. I am certain you will find the perfect program for you. Check out www.coapcr.org for a list of academic programs. Also do look at the UAB website too at www.uab.edu/nursing. While in a nursing school, we have non-nursing students involved in our courses and offer an MS in Community Health Education/CRM as well as the MSN/CRM - in addition to the Certificate.