Research Administration Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Research Administration is an 18-credit online certificate that provides an overview of the core concepts in research administration for those interested in management within research organizations. The Certificate is intended to meet the needs of individuals seeking a focused experience in order to prepare for or advance their careers in research management and leadership. It is appropriate for students who seek to expand their knowledge, but who do not wish to commit to a master's degree program.

Credit earned in the certificate program may be applied toward the Master of Research Administration (MRA) degree. However, admission to the MRA degree program has separate requirements from those of the certificate program. Students considering continuing into the master's degree should familiarize themselves with the credit transfer policy and consult with a faculty adviser early in their certificate program. The Graduate Certificate in Research Administration requires that students complete 18 credit hours of courses. Students must maintain at least a 3.0-grade point average in order to be awarded the Graduate Certificate. The certificate must be completed within three years.

The Graduate Certificate in Research Administration requires 18 credit hours of online courses that provide an overview of the core concepts in research administration. Students take 12 credit hours of required courses and choose 6 credit hours of elective courses.

Total Credit Hours Required: 18 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Please note: Research Administration Graduate Certificate may be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit http://global.ucf.edu/. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at (407) 823-2337.

UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

• Complete the following:
  • PAD6742 - Introduction to Research Administration (3)
  • PAD6743 - Leadership and Organization Models in Research Administration (3)
  • PAD6747 - Audits in Research Administration (3)
  • PAD6741 - Research Integrity for Research Administrators (3)

Elective Courses

• Complete at least 2 of the following:
  • PAD6748 - Governance and Regulatory Issues for Sponsored Programs (3)
  • PAD6745 - Contracting for Sponsored Programs (3)
  • PAD6744 - Financial Management in Research Administration (3)
  • PAD6746 - Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer and Commercialization (3)

Grand Total Credits: 18

Application Requirements

Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

All applicants to this certificate program will be required to submit:

• One official transcript meeting the minimum GPA requirement of 2.5, in a sealed envelope, from each college/university attended.
• A current, professional résumé.
• Statement of Goals: This is a key component of the admission review process and serves as an example of the applicant's ability to express him or herself in writing. The goal statement must be no longer than two pages and should address the following:
  • What is your reason for pursuing graduate study in Research Administration, including your future goals and plans?
  • What specific areas of Research Administration interest you?
  • Working in Research Administration is preferred, not required.
• Applicants who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

Materials received after the established deadline may not be considered. Admission to this certificate is competitive; applicants meeting the minimum application requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.

Admission to this certificate program is limited. Please refer to the specific MRA program website for tuition rates. The University of Central Florida does not accept State Employee Waivers for this certificate program

Application Deadlines

Students must achieve a grade of "B-" (80%) or better in every course. Grades 'C' or lower cannot be used to fulfill certificate requirements. Students must maintain a program of study and graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher and can only graduate with a graduate status GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For the Graduate Certificate in Research Administration, the cost per credit hour is $655.62.*

*Fee is subject to change