Research Administration (MSRA), MS

Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be prepared to function as leaders in the research administration profession.

Standards

• Upon completion of the program, all students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend and apply information relevant to the management of research administration.
• Upon completion of the program, all students will be familiar with all areas of research administration, and demonstrate proficiency in academic research methods and publish their findings in an academic research administration journal.
• Upon completion of the program, all students will demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for a leader in the research administration profession.
• In addition to these competency goals, the program seeks to:
• Provide a unique online graduate education experience for current and future research administration professionals in all areas of research administration.
• Provide students experience with research methods, data analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics in order to develop an understanding of how principal investigators design and perform research.
• Provide students with the tools to complete an investigational research project in their chosen area of specialization to be submitted for publication and/or formally presented at an appropriate professional meeting.
• Provide students with the core competencies needed for practice as a research manager and provide the foundation needed to assume professional leadership roles in research administration.

Online Program

The MSRA program will provide a unique online graduate education experience for current and future research administration professionals in all areas of research administration. The program is designed for working professionals and can be completed in 18 months taking two courses a term.

Research Project

In addition to course work in various areas of Research Administration, students also learn research methods, data analysis and statistics. The goal is to develop the management skills necessary to evaluate current programs/protocols in Research Administration and to provide a data driven basis for program changes and assessment. The students work with faculty to develop these skills in the context of a research project in their chosen area of specialization and write up a capstone paper. Several of these projects have been submitted for publication and/or formally presented at an appropriate professional meeting, thus further advancing the profession of research administration. In addition to learning the management skills, this experience also provides an understanding of how principal investigators design and perform research and provide first hand experience in study preparation and compliance issues. These experiences enable our graduates to identify areas where Research Administration practices can be modified to better enable the research community.

Practicum

The overall aim of practicum courses is to introduce students to the roles and responsibilities in the following research administrative offices: sponsored projects, clinical trials management, research finance, research compliance, research integrity, departmental grant administration and intellectual property and technology transfer. In the first practicum, a student does a project in three of the above areas. Although a project is in a specified area, each project will involve learning skills and protocols that are applicable to multiple areas of Research Administration. Students are encouraged to select areas that are new to them. Students with experience in multiple areas may focus on completing a single project. The second practicum course is a way to gain experience in a specialized area. Because many of the students already have research administration experience, practicums are not required and electives may be taken in their place.

If a distance student wishes a practicum, we will work with you to identify a practicum site either at your place of employment or near your home. We will work together to secure the necessary agreements with the site you identify and assure that the practicum meets the standards of our program. Due to varying state regulations, practicums may not be available to students in some states. In this case, we cannot offer a practicum. However, elective courses are available to all students in lieu of the practicums.

The Profession

The profession of research administration is an integral part of administration at universities and research institutes. The practice of the profession includes obtaining and overseeing external dollars for the institution, helping institutions comply with federal and nonfederal sponsor regulation, and developing partnerships and collaborative ventures with other research organization. Research administrators represent their institutions in diverse matters related to grants and contracts as well as maintain the policies and procedures of their institution. The research administrator serves the faculty, the institution and the sponsoring agencies through an effective management system.

The sponsored research community often needs an advocate who will work toward improving and stimulating the institutional climate for these activities. As such, research administrators are often challenged to articulate the value of sponsored activity in an environment where it has not traditionally been emphasized. Research administrators also take on the role of policy developer when institutional policies and procedures may need adjustment to comply with sponsor requirements. At some institutions research administrators assume the role of facilitating the development of a climate more conducive to the research enterprise without compromising the teaching and public service missions of the institution.

The Program

The program will require a minimum of 46 quarter credit hours (13 courses) of academic coursework taken at the graduate level. All didactic courses will be completed using the Rush University Learning Management System (RU-Learning) for Web-based instruction. The program may be completed in approximately 12 to 18 months of full-time enrollment or taken on a part-time basis over a longer period. Students who desire to complete additional elective courses either offered at Rush University or at another regionally accredited college or university may request to do so, and these electives may be incorporated into the student’s program plan with the permission of the student’s academic advisor.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Prepare competent advanced-level research administrators for practice
• 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

General Education Requirements

Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an U.S.-accredited college or university.

Courses in accounting, statistics, economics and computer applications strengthen a candidate’s application. No prior work experience in the research administration field is required, although those with experience are encouraged to apply.

Admission Requirements

Although applications are accepted beginning in October for the next academic year, the start time is normally the fall quarter. Because class size is limited, students are encouraged to complete the application process as early as possible to ensure full consideration. Priority admission extends to April 1; applications continue to be reviewed after this date until the class is filled.

Candidates for the program should submit the following:

• Completed application form accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $50
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Scores on the Graduate Record Examination or Graduate Management Aptitude Test (test must be taken with the last five years) (optional)
• Letters of recommendation (three letters are suggested)

Application Procedure

Application for admission into the Masters of Science in Research Administration should be made through the Rush RU Applying Application. Prospective applicants may submit transcripts and a request for an unofficial evaluation to the Rush University Enrollment Services, 600 South Paulina Street, Suite 440, Chicago, Illinois 60612; phone number: 312-942-7100.

The College of Health Sciences will interview applicants via telephone conference calls or in person.

Proficiency in English

All applicants whose native language is not English must present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactorily completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination (TOEFL). Applicants whose native language is not English and who have graduated from high school or successfully completed a higher education degree program (Associate degree or higher) in the United States or one of its English-speaking protectorates may petition for waiver of the TOEFL requirement to the College of Health Sciences’ Dean’s Office.

Waiver requests should include proof of receipt of a high school or college diploma from an accredited institution in the United States or one of its English-speaking protectorates. College or university degrees must be granted by a regionally accredited college or university to be considered for waiver of the TOEFL.

Provisional or Probationary Status

All students in the Masters of Science in Research Administration Program must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (an A = 4.0) and a quarter grade point average of at least 3.0 to maintain satisfactory academic status. If a student’s grades fall below a quarter or cumulative GPA average of 3.0, or if a student receives a grade of “F” in any course, he or she will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation remains on probation until he or she has met the requirements established by the Student Progress and Promotion Committee for removal from academic probation.

Residency Requirements

This Masters Program is a distance learning program. The College expects that there will be a number of students from the State of Illinois, but residency in the State of Illinois is not required.

Research Requirements

The student enrolled in the Master of Science in Research Administration Program is required to complete a research paper in order to graduate as detailed in the program overview (above).

Qualifying or Comprehensive Examination Requirements

The capstone of the Master Program will be the research project. Qualifying or comprehensive examinations are not required.

Time Limit for Program Completion

Students will be required to complete all coursework, including their research paper, within five years of enrollment in the MSRA program.

Year 1

Year 2

Additional Courses (Electives)

• RSA - 596A Practicum I Credit Hours: (4) Summer
• RSA - 513 Intro to Clinical Research Management Credit Hours: 4
• RSA - 596B Practicum II Credit Hours: (4) Spring
• RSA - 518 Introduction to International Research Administration Credit Hours: 4