Overview

The Master of Research Administration (M.R.A.) program is designed for individuals who are interested in advancing their careers as research administrators. Due to the increase demand for public accountability and the expanding regulatory environment, there is a greater need for research administrators by universities, medical institutions, government laboratories, and independent profit and not-for-profit organizations that are involved in conducting research. The MRA program of study will be offered completely online and provides a comprehensive program to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to advance in their professions as research administrators.

What Is Research Administration?
Research Administration involves the development, management, and implementation of research initiatives. Research administrators are active in developing research collaborations and partnerships, strategic planning for research programs, proposal preparation and submission, contracts negotiation and management of research projects, financial management and oversight, compliance to federal regulations and policies. Research administrators are needed for public and private research universities, centers, institutes, hospitals, and multiple federal and state agencies involved in supporting the research enterprise.

Where Can I Get a Job?
Many research administration job opportunities are available in universities, hospitals, public and private medical schools and laboratories, industry research laboratories, regional, state and national government. A majority of research administrators are employed by universities and medical colleges.
An increasing proportion of research administrators are employed by the private sector, particularly by companies involved with research or providing public services and management. Grant administrative positions also are available at nonprofit organizations and research institutions. Advancement opportunities in the field are more likely with experience and completion of a master's degree in the field.

Possible job titles: 

• Regulatory or Research Compliance Director
• Proposal or Contract Manager /Administrator
• Program Manager or/Coordinator
• Research Integrity Officer
• Financial Administrator/Manager of Research and /or Sponsored Programs
• Director/Officer/Manager of Research and/or Sponsored Programs
• Senior Licensing Associate or Licensing Analyst
• Research Development Associate, Specialist or Coordinator
• IRB Manager /Administrator
• IACUC Coordinator
• Director of Export Controls
• Technology Transfer Officer
• Grants Accountant

Program Highlights

• fully online delivery
• cohort model
• completion within 2 years

M.S. course work includes:

• introduction to research administration
• identifying and developing funding opportunities
• proposal development and preparation
• contracts negotiation and management
• research legal framework and compliance regulations
• intellectual property and technology transfer
• innovation and science policy
• ethics and responsible conduct of research
• leadership and organization development

Curriculum

The Masters in Research Administration (MRA) is a two-year completely online professional program designed for practicing research administrators that wish to advance in their careers. Research Administrators are in demand among various types of organizations involved in research activities: universities, research centers, industry, and private research organizations. The Department of Public Administration is offering the MRA Program starting Fall 2011. The MRA program will equip students with the necessary knowledge and understanding of the complex framework and processes of research administration and examines important issues that impact our research endeavors.  The MRA Program is attractive to working research administrators due to the online delivery format, which allows students to earn an MRA degree from any location and at times convenient to each student.

Students admitted into this program must possess a minimum of one (1) year of relevant research administration experience.  Students enroll in the program as a cohort with a maximum of 30 students.  The cohort model provides faculty the opportunity to discuss issues in greater detail and allows students the ability to network amongst their peers.  The program will be delivered in an online format.

Required Courses—36 Credit Hours
Core—36 Credit Hours 

• PAD 6742  Introduction to Research Administration
• PLA 6488  Legal and Regulatory Framework
• PAD 5850  Grant and Contract Management
• PAD 6743  Leadership and Organization Models in Research Administration
• PAD 6744  Financial Management in Research Administration
• PAD 6471  Human Resource Management
• PAD 6745  Contracting for Sponsored Programs
• PAD 6335  Strategic Planning and Management
• PAD 6746  Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer and Commercialization
• PAD 6327  Public Program Evaluation Techniques
• PAD 6747  Audits in Research Administration
• PLA 6487  Legal and Ethical Compliance

IMPORTANT:  The Graduate Catalog is the university’s official record of graduate policies.  In any case where this document and the Graduate Catalog appear to disagree, the Graduate Catalog is the final authority.

For additional information contact:
Dr. Jo Ann Smith, Program Director,
Public Administration Department
407-823-3925, Jo.Smith@ucf.edu

Admissions

Students must meet all admissions requirements listed in the UCF graduate catalog.

GRE is not required for this program.  To be considered for admission, the following documentation must be on file with UCF by the appropriate application deadline date:

• Undergraduate transcripts showing GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent
• Graduate transcripts if you have completed graduate work in a related field
• A current resume (must be uploaded to your application)
• A Statement of Interest –please include your future goals in research administration (must be uploaded to your application)
• Three letters of recommendation from professors or professional individuals.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for the MRA program are accepted for Fall semesters only.  Applications are now being accepted for the FALL 2012 cohort.

Apply online at http://www.graduate.ucf.edu to the UCF College of Graduate Studies by the appropriate deadline listed in the graduate catalog.

For further information:

Program Coordinator
Dr Jo Ann Smith
Phone: 407-823-3925
joasmith@mail.ucf.edu

Department of Public Administration
College of Health and Public Affairs
University of Central Florida
HPA II Suite 238
Orlando, FL 32816-1395
Phone: 407-823-2604
Fax: 407-823-5651
www.cohpa.ucf.edu/pubadm/

Office of Graduate Admissions
Phone: 407-823-2766 ext. 255
Fax: 407-823-6442
Address:  UCF Graduate Studies
Millican Hall 230
P.O. Box 160112
Orlando, FL 32816-0112

UCF graduate application:
www.students.graduate.ucf.edu/gradonlineapp/

Other resources:

National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA)
www.ncura.edu

Society of Research Administrators International
www.srainternational.org

Research Administrators Certification Council
www.cra-cert.org

Program Faculty

Jo Ann Smith
Assistant Professor
School of Public Administration
Phone: 407-882-2223
Email: jo.smith@ucf.edu

Robert Wood 
Associate Professor
Department of Legal Studies
HPA 1, Room 347
Phone: 407-823-3741
Email: robert.wood@ucf.edu

Barbara Howell
Research Coordinator/Instructor
College of Health & Public Affairs
HPA 1, Room 305
Phone: 407-823-3914
Email: bhowell@ucf.edu

Wendell Lawther
Associate Professor
Department of Public Administration
HPA II, Room 238L
Phone: 407-823-5361
Email: wendell.lawther@ucf.edu

Laurianne Torres
Coordinator, Research Program Services
Office of Research Operations
ENGR II, Room 202
Phone: 407-882-2227
Email: laurianne.torres@ucf.edu

Mary Ann Feldheim
Department Chair/Associate Professor
School of Public Administration
HPA II, Room 238
Phone: 407-823-2693
Email: mary.feldheim@ucf.edu

Thomas O’Neal 
Associate Professor
Office of Research Operations
UTWR, Suite 0501
Phone: 407-882-1120
Email: oneal@ucf.edu

Kuotsai “Tom” Liou  
Professor
Department of Public Administration
HPA II, Room 240
Phone: 407-823-2454
Email: kliou@mail.ucf.edu

Abby Milon
Instructor
Department of Legal Studies
HPA 1, Room 344
Phone: 407-823-0030
Email: abby.milon@ucf.edu

Doug Backman
Director Research Program/Services
Office of Research Operations
UTWR, Suite 0516
Phone: 407-882-1168
Email: douglas.backman@ucf.edu

Cohort Model Course Sequence

Program Cost