NEW PROGRAM PLANNING FORM X Concept Proposal College: Full Proposal Graduate Studies Program Title: Research Administration Department/School/Unit: MSA Dean/Senior Officer Signature: Submission Date: November 11, 2010 Check one of the following: Degree Major Minor Graduate option Graduate emphasis X Concentration X Graduate certificate Doctoral program Proposed date of enrollment for first class: Fall 2011 I. Description of Proposed New Program, including objectives and activities. This proposal seeks to create a new concentration and graduate certificate in the MSA degree— Research Administration Research administration is a vast and expanding field that involves scientific methods of research, good clinical practices, regulatory guidelines that protect human subjects, and sponsored programs. A research administrator’s main task is to facilitate the research that takes place at all types of institutions, synthesize the data, and communicate the results effectively. Typical projects that Research Administrators work on include: sponsored projects and programs, contracts and grants, grants financial management, data and information gathering and synthesis, intellectual property and technology transfer, regulatory compliance, ethics and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), and information services, among others. The need for trained research administrators is growing. This concentration will allow students to earn the experience and knowledge necessary to conduct investigations and gather and analyze information pertaining to increasingly complex contemporary organizational issues. It will provide students with the knowledge and skills required for effective research administration. Revised 5/5/2009 Page 1 Purpose The purpose of the concentration is to provide an appropriate educational experience to Research Administration professionals that will allow them to meet the growing data and informational needs and demands in their respective organizations. Objectives 1. To prepare students with a focus on Research Administration as that will provide a pathway for professionals to earn a Master’s degree at CMU. 2. To provide the academic and professional training that will enable our graduates to function and advance in the research administration profession. 3. To provide current, concise curriculum that will provide insight into the most recent developments in the field of research administration. 4. To provide a curriculum designed to give students practical experience in the research administration field. Courses to be offered The MSA core courses focus on the general administration principles. The concentration courses focus on the more specific skills required by research administration professionals. Courses will be offered online and in a flexible format to meet the needs of students. Potential students will come from a variety of backgrounds. The diversity in background will provide a rich interdisciplinary learning environment in which our graduates can relate their personal realworld experiences with fellow students in a rigorous academic setting. The courses included in this concentration are: MSA Core (18 Credit Hours) MSA 600 Foundations of Research Methods in Administration MSA 601 Organizational Dynamics and Human Behavior MSA 602 Financial Analysis, Planning and Control MSA 603 Strategic Planning for the Administrator MSA 604 Administration, Globalization and Multiculturalism MSA 699 Applied Research Project in Administration REQUIRED Courses (12 Credits) Revised 5/5/2009 Page 2 MSA 611 Contract Administration MSA 612 Grants Fiscal Administration MSA 613 Project Administration MSA 614 Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Research Administration ELECTIVES (6 Credits) MSA 615 Sponsored Project Administration MSA 616 The Practice of Research Administration MSA 617 Clinical Research Administration MSA 618 Administration of Health Science Services MSA 621 Regulatory Compliance, Research Administration & the Law MSA622 Facilities Administration and Cost The courses included in this graduate certificate are: REQUIRED Courses (12 Credits) MSA 611 Contract Administration MSA 612 Grants Fiscal Administration MSA 613 Project Administration MSA 614 Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Research Administration ELECTIVES (6 Credits) MSA 615 Sponsored Project Administration MSA 616 The Practice of Research Administration MSA 617 Clinical Research Administration MSA 618 Administration of Health Science Services MSA 621 Regulatory Compliance, Research Administration & the Law Revised 5/5/2009 Page 3 MSA622 Facilities Administration and Cost II. Rationale for Program. Address each of the categories contained in the Guidelines for Evaluating New Undergraduate and Master’s Programs (see CAD, Appendix B). Doctoral Programs must address each criteria found in the Criteria for Development of New Doctoral Programs (see CAD, Appendix F). For CMU to achieve its mission, three goals have been identified that are in consonance with the goals of the proposed concentration: 1. Advance and disseminate knowledge by stimulating and supporting research and creative activities by students, faculty and staff; offer graduate programs in niche areas of faculty strength that meet regional, state, national and international needs; use modern technologies to enhance teaching, learning, research and administrative functions. The idea of developing this concentration and graduate certificate originated from the feasibility studies conducted by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (OSRP) at the request of National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA). The OSRP recommended the offering of a master’s degree in Research Administration by CMU. This proposal is based on the OSRP’s recommendation to offer a master’s degree by CMU. While the NCURA and the Society of Research Administrators (SRA) will continue to advance the field of research administration through education and professional development programs, they recommend that universities are better equipped to develop a master’s degree in Research Administration. In this niche area of Research administration, there are few educational institutions in the country that offer a master’s degree level courses. According to the National Council of Research Administrators (NCURA) and the Atlantic Information Services (AIS), there is strong interest in a graduate program in research administration. The NCURA provided a grant to CMU to develop a Research Administration concentration. There is direct and indirect evidence suggesting significant employer need for formally trained research administrators. The Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential indicates that employers seek employees with formal training in research administration. The CRA says that the benefits of the Research Administration degree are: professional recognition; an indicator of expertise; increased credibility with clients; increased opportunity for employment; advancement opportunities; personal satisfaction; and serving as a role model for others. 2. Similar Programs in other Institutions In addition, there is no similar program in the state of Michigan. In nearby states, Cleveland State University in Ohio, offers a graduate certificate in research administration, which does not specifically address the varied educational topics germane to the field of research administration. Revised 5/5/2009 Page 4 Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana, offers Health Sciences and Health Administration programs through its School of Informatics and School of Environmental and Public Affairs. Still the emphasis is on health related research. Students are trained to work in academic medical centers, research sites, major corporations, contract research organization, or independent consultant firms. Furthermore, other institutions around the country that offer online master’s degree in Clinical Research Administration programs. Institutions like, Walden University, Drexel University, and George Washington University, their curricula focus on the scientific methods of clinical research, good clinical practices, and the regulatory guidelines that protect human subjects. In each instance, the curriculum is geared towards students contemplating to work in health care industry or with emphasis on research methods and clinical trial management. At the Medical University of South Carolina’s program, for example, the curriculum is strongly oriented towards clinical settings. In contrast, the CMU MSA concentration is being designed to prepare our students entirely online for employment in the broader field of research administration as practiced in universities, colleges, federal granting agencies, non-profit and for-profit institutions. 3. MSA and the new Research Administration Concentration This concentration will be built on the MSA core courses and newly developed courses oriented towards general research administration. The graduate certificate will be built on the newly developed research administration courses. The quality of the courses and the overall concentration and graduate certificate will be assessed similar to other MSA concentrations utilizing tools such as examinations, case studies, research papers, and on-line presentations. Faculty who teach these courses will be approved through the current criteria used by the MSA program to approve instructors. Students admitted into this concentration will be qualified students who have the skills and the career interest in studying research administration; thus a background of experience and training in the field will provide a relatively high quality student from the outset. The online delivery format provides an option for self-disciplined and selfdirected students to pursue the program. We have learned that working adult students need to be able to take classes on a flexible schedule in order to maintain a balance in their professional, personal and student lives. Towards that end, our classes will be offered on a weekly schedule that accommodates the unpredictability of life for busy adults. The Research Administration concentration and graduate certificate are being developed as a result of representations made by the NCURA. According to a survey it did of its membership in 2008, there is a strong demand for a master’s degree in Research Administration. Of the 885 respondents, over 500 expressed an interest in an on-line graduate degree in this area. The six (6) core courses have already been developed and will not require any additional resources. However, additional resources that will be required to develop the four (4) required courses and the six (6) elective courses for use on the concentration and the graduate certificate are already built into the MSA and ProfEd’s budget funded by tuition revenue. Qualified instructors have been identified to teach the courses. The Library has all of the necessary resources to support this concentration. CMU has both student learning assessment and program-level assessment in place. This new concentration will utilize the same rigor of assessment. Revised 5/5/2009 Page 5 Additionally, this concentration meets the Principles of Good Practice in Adult Degree Completion Programs stated by the North Central Association. The College of Graduate Studies will take the lead role in marketing the new concentration. III. Enrollment and Performance Measures. A. For each year, estimate the total number of students who will be enrolled. Indicate whether they are likely to be full-time or part-time students. 20 30 Year 1 40 Year 3 Year 2 50 Year 4 B. How will the effectiveness of this program be assessed? Current assessment methodology used at CMU. I. Cost: Estimate expenses and identify as base (B) or one-time (1T). YEAR Faculty FTE (number) 1 0 Support staff a) number b) type c) cost Other compensation (number and cost) including GSA College Work Study (CWS) (number and cost) 0 ** 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Library Costs*: materials and electronic access Supplies and equipment a) description b) cost Remodeling and space a) description b) cost 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Revised 5/5/2009 2 0 3 4 0 0 Page 6 * Work with appropriate bibliographer to estimate cost. ** Support staff part of ongoing CID activities. Provide a rationale for each of the costs (e.g., Why will x faculty be needed?). All costs of developing and operating this program are built into the existing MSA and ProfEd operating budgets and funded by tuition revenue. II. Projected Revenue and Expenditures. Year 1 Program Revenues**** Program Expenditures Course Development* $165,240 Provided by ProfEd budget Year 2 $247,860 Provided by ProfEd budget Year 3 Year 4 $330,480 $413,100 Provided by Provided by ProfEd budget ProfEd budget $48,000.00 Online instruction** $17,910 $35,820 $35,820 $35,820 Identify Sources of Funds Needed for Each Tuition/ProfEd Tuition Tuition Tuition Year*** *:One time expenditure per course ($4800) X 10 new courses (Provided from ProfEd’s budget) ** Online instruction per course ($2985); (paid by unit/department) ** *Note: Examples of sources of funding would be program revenues, college reserves, grants, etc. **** Revenue ($459/cr. 18 cr hr/20 Students) $1377/course x 6 = 8262; 8262 X 20 = $165,240 Number of students: Year 1=20, Year 2=30, Year 3=40, Year 4=50 Please provide rationale for above projections. Assuming: tuition = $1377 ($459/credit hour) per student per course in year 1, with approximately no increases in subsequent years. On average, students will enroll in six courses in their first year, and six courses in their second year. Expenses cover faculty contracts and expenses, as well as program development, monitoring and updating as needed. III. New Resources A. Faculty FTE New FTE positions to be created with: Increased enrollment Reallocation within college Grants/gifts Reallocation between colleges Reallocation within department/unit/school Other Revised 5/5/2009 Page 7 Please elaborate on the above proposed reallocation. What is to be reduced? N/A What impact will this have on that unit/department/school/program/college? N/A B. Other staff position New staff positions to be created with: Increased enrollment Reallocation within college Grants/gifts Reallocation between colleges Reallocation within department/unit/school Other Please elaborate on the above proposed reallocation. What is to be reduced? N/A What impact will this have on that unit/department/school/program/college? N/A C. CWS, other compensations (include GSA), library costs, supplies and equipment, and remodeling and space will come from: Increased enrollment Reallocation within college Grants/gifts Reallocation between colleges Reallocation within department/unit/school Other Please elaborate on the above proposed reallocation. What is to be reduced? N/A What impact will this have on that unit/department/school/program/college, the university? N/A Revised 5/5/2009 Page 8