Hidden Gems: DCE Programs You Might Not Know About
When most people think of continuing education, project management, IT, and accounting programs often come to mind. But there are some programs that don’t get a lot of attention and depending on your goals, they may open doors to career opportunities you didn’t know existed. Here are a few of those programs.
Clinical Trials
Imagine being able to help the next breakthrough drug or medical device come to life---that's what a career in clinical research offers. DCE's Clinical Trials certificate program helps you gain hands-on skills in coordinating studies, managing data, and keeping trials running smoothly.
Biotech and pharmaceutical companies are growing. In a study published by Towards Healthcare, the value of the global pharmaceutical market will be ~$2.8 trillion by 2033. Accordingly, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which categorizes clinical research associates as medical scientists, forecasts job opportunities in this area to increase by +17% from 2021 to 2031.
Healthcare and Public Health Analytics
Data is everywhere, and in healthcare, there are tons of operational and clinical data. If you have solid analytical skills (or the desire to acquire them), bridging the gap between healthcare knowledge and data tools gives you specialized expertise. And that expertise can give you an edge over someone with general data analytics skills if you’re seeking employment in healthcare.
UC Irvine’s Healthcare and Public Health Analytics specialized studies program teaches you how to take complex health data and turn it into actionable insights. Hospitals, insurers, and biotech companies are searching for people who understand both the numbers and the healthcare system. If that’s you, there are excellent job prospects. According to BLS data, there were ~600K jobs in 2024, and employment is projected to grow +23% from 2024 to 2034.
Instructional Design / E-Learning Certificate
If you’ve ever mustered your way through a boring online course, you understand why good instructional designers are in demand. DCE’s E-Learning and Instructional Design certificate program teaches you how to make learning engaging, interactive, and effective.
Remote and hybrid learning is still the way a substantial portion of learners can commit to continuous learning and how they want to learn. So, organizations need people who can turn content into something learners can understand and remember. Plus, new tools (hello, AI!) can make the work even more creative.
Regulatory Affairs & Compliance for Pharmaceuticals
Rules and regulations might sound dry to many people, but in industries like pharma and medical devices, they’re everything. DCE’s Regulatory Affairs & Compliance for Pharmaceuticals certificate program teaches you how to navigate compliance, quality standards, and product approval processes.
Regulatory experts are hard to find, and the demand is steady, which is why this knowledge is valuable. If you want a niche skill set that companies compensate well for, this is it. BLS data shows there were ~418K job openings in 2024 with the median pay for compliance officers, which includes regulatory affairs roles, to be $78K annually.
A Few Takeaways
These programs aren’t just certificate programs---they help you gain practical skills you can put to work right now. Whether you’re looking to pivot yourself into a new field, move up in your current career, or combine skills in a unique way, these courses can give you a real edge.
Pro tip: Don’t feel like you need to commit to a full certificate right away. Try a single course first and see how it feels. Stack more courses as you go. You’ll end up with a skillset that’s tailored to you and in demand.
Ready to Explore?
Look at DCE’s course offerings, browse a few descriptions, and think about how these skills could fit into your career. You might just find a program that changes your trajectory in the next few years.