Masters in Research Administration Programs
are All the Rage.
What About My CRA?
Thomas E. Wilson, MBA
Assistant Vice President, Research Affairs
Rush University Medical Center
Why a Graduate Degree Program
• Bridges your area of specialization in the profession
– Preaward administrators learn more about post award
• Provides you with a broad based education in all
areas of research administration
• Spring board for advancement in your chosen
profession
• Prepares leaders individuals for leadership role in
research administration
Three Graduate Programs
Emmanuel College; Boston, Massachusetts
University of Central Florida; Orlando, Florida
Rush University; Chicago, Illinois
Emmanuel College
• Master of Science in Management with Research
Administration Specialization
• The degree requires 36 credits (11 courses)
• 100% online format
• Also offer a certificate program
Features of Emmanuel College MS Program
• Focus on Grants Administration and Sponsored
Research, also:
– Leadership
– Communications
– Organizational Change
• Balances the qualitative aspects of
management and leadership with the
necessary quantitative research skills.
Required Courses for Emmanuel Program
Research Administration
Financial Accounting
Financial Management
Contracts
Organizational Development Changing Economies
Strategic Planning
Capstone Seminar
Managing Diversity in Contemporary Organizations
Compliance, Regulatory Environments & Legal Issues
Leadership & Organizational Behavior
Emmanuel College
Graduate Certificate in Research Administration
• Program Requirements: 6 courses/18 credits
Leadership
Research Administration
Finance & Accounting
Organizational Development
Strategy
Written and oral communication
Analysis
Compliance and regulatory issues
Ethics and behavioral science interventions
• Online Program
University of Central Florida
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Master of Research Administration
Two year program 36 credit hours
100% online format
launched in fall 2011
Features of UCF Program
• Provides professional skills, management theories
and techniques to prepare individuals to practice as
highly trained and ethical research administrators.
• Builds a solid foundation in:
– research administration
– Leadership
• enables graduates to work in a variety of research
organizations such as universities, hospitals and
medical centers, industry, and research institutes and
centers.
Required Courses for UCF Program
Research Administration
Governance & Regulatory Issues
Grant & Contact Management Financial Management
Human Resource Management Strategic Planning
Audits in Research Administration
Research Integrity for Research Administrators
Contracting for Sponsored Programs
Public Program Evaluation Techniques
Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer & Commercialization
Leadership & Organization Models in Research Administration
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Rush University Medical Center
Master of Sciences in Research Administration
46 quarter credit hours
Two year online program
Launched in fall 2012
Rush University Medical Center
• Prepare competent advanced-level research
administrators for practice in the profession.
• Prepare leaders who are able to plan, develop and
deliver high quality, cost-effective research
administration services.
• Provide training in specific research administration areas.
• Develop individuals who can formulate appropriate
questions, organize and test hypotheses and apply
research results to the practice of research
administration.
12
Required courses for Rush Program
Grants & Contracts Administration Project Management
Research Design & Methods
Statistics
Budgeting & Fiscal Management
Practicum
Research Project
Management Principles & Organizational Theory
Legal, Ethical & Regulatory Compliance
Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer
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Certified Research Administrator (CRA)
The designation of Certified Research Administrator
(CRA) means that an individual has met the
requirements of the Research Administrators
Certification Council's eligibility requirements and
has demonstrated a level of knowledge necessary for
a person to be a professional research or sponsored
programs administrator.
Why Should Become Certified?
The benefits of certification are:
• Professional recognition
• Personal Satisfaction
• An indicator of expertise
• Increased opportunities for employment
• Advancement opportunities
• Increased credibility with clients
• Serve as a role model to others
CRA Body of Knowledge covers four areas:
• Project Development and Administration
• Legal Requirements and Sponsor
Interface
• Financial Management
• General Management