Program at a Glance
- type
- Master’s and Certificate
- College
- Community Innovation and Education
Elevate Your Career
Ready for what’s next in research? With a research administration degree, you can learn how to facilitate or conduct world-changing research. These online programs expand your skills and experience so you can advance your career in an exciting specialized industry. Unlock your potential today.
Choose from two different degree options designed to fit your schedule and timeline.
Why pursue a research administration program?
With an online degree or certificate in research administration from UCF Online, you’ll learn to master essential skills needed to grow your career as a practiced and ethical research administrator. From finding funding opportunities and writing grants to negotiating contracts and ensuring compliance, our online research degrees will help you gain the tools you need to work in a variety of public and private settings.
What can you do with a research administration degree or certificate?
- Prepare, review and negotiate contracts, subcontracts, research awards and agreements
- Develop and implement research policies that adhere to appropriate regulatory requirements, ethical standards and best practices
- Manage complex research budgets
- Communicate with a vast team of personnel to prepare and submit grant proposals
- Analyze and resolve post-award issues such as re-budgeting, change in personnel and more
- Compile interim and annual reports based on reporting and evaluation requirements
- Advise institutions relative to long-range planning strategies, financial forecasting and personnel management
- Lead and supervise grants team to facilitate better benchmarks in grant awards, funding levels and project-related outcomes
You should pursue our MRA program if you:
- Want to broaden your knowledge in multiple areas of research administration like compliance, pre-award, post-award management, contracts and more
- Need additional preparation before sitting for the Certified Research Administrator (CRA) exam
- Want to gain management skills that prepare you to lead a team of research administrators
- Have an interest in one area of research administration that you would like to explore from an academic environment
Master’s of Research Administration
Equip leaders and organizations to conduct ethical, smart research.
Research administrators facilitate important work that spurs advancements across a wide variety of industries. When you earn your Master of Research Administration, you’ll enhance the qualifications and skills you need to deepen research that fuels innovation.
Through UCF Online you’ll acquire knowledge in important topics, including research, development and sponsored projects. You’ll graduate with a deep understanding of organizational development, financial management, contract negotiation, proposal development, and legal, ethical and regulatory compliance. In addition, you’ll be equipped to protect intellectual property and seek out new areas for collaboration.
UCF Online’s Master of Research Administration is offered completely online. Its flexible coursework prepares students to work in a variety of environments, including universities, hospitals, industry, research institutes and more. Get started today and harness the full power of transformative research.
Fall
July 1
Spring
December 1
Summer
April 1
Ready to begin
your journey?
Application
Deadline
Fall
July 1
Spring
December 1
Summer
April 1
Ready to begin
your journey?
Research Administration Certificate
Harness the power of ethical, innovative research to advance numerous fields.
When you step into the role of a certified research administrator, you directly impact the important research that advances a number of fields. Your online graduate certificate through UCF Online will give you the knowledge you need without requiring the full commitment of a master’s degree program.
Through UCF Online, your research administration training will provide you with an in-depth understanding of research integrity, audits and more. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to focus your studies around topics such as contracting, financial management, intellectual property and regulatory issues. This strong foundation will position you to advance your career in the field of research management and leadership.
Upon completion of the certificate program, you’ll have strengthened the skills needed to oversee any number of research topics. This certificate program can be completed entirely online, allowing you the flexibility to earn your certificate according to your schedule. Get started today and begin your journey to a more rewarding career.
Fall
July 1
Spring
December 1
Summer
April 1
Ready to begin
your journey?
Application
Deadline
Fall
July 1
Spring
December 1
Summer
April 1
Ready to begin
your journey?
Courses You’ll Take Include
Leadership and Organization Models in Research Administration
Learn general management concepts in preparation for leadership roles in Research Administration. This course introduces the tools of managerial decision-making and team building along with discussing theories and principles of research and development organizations.
Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer and Commercialization
Examine the role of research administration in technology transfer and commercialization of new innovations, including intellectual property relating to copyright, patents and trademarks.
Strategic Planning and Management
Gain an understanding of how to examine and analyze planning, goal setting and strategic management in public sector organizations.
Career Opportunities
A degree or certificate in research administration can help you develop the skills needed to prepare for some of the following positions in the research field if you can match your education with the necessary experience:
- Clinical Research Administrator
- Contracts and Grants Manager
- Contracts Negotiator
- Director of Export Controls
- Director of Research Operations
- Grant Specialist
Industry Insights
Rate through 2029*
Nationwide*
*according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Administrative Services and Facilities Managers, July 2021
Admission Requirements
Applications for both the master’s and certificate programs are accepted in the fall, spring and summer. The master’s program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and the certificate program requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, but there is no GRE requirement for either program.
Students should submit their applications, including any supporting materials, by the program’s deadline. The programs also request the following for admission:
- Official transcripts
- Statement of goals
- Resume
- Master’s program only — 3 letters of recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions
Online MRA
Full-time students can complete the 36 credit-hour master’s program in approximately two years. We also offer an 18 credit-hour graduate certificate program that can be completed in one year.
The certificate program is ideal for students who are seeking a shorter program, may not desire a master’s degree, or may not meet the minimum GPA requirement for the master’s program.
Complete the form on this page and a dedicated enrollment coach will contact you in order to explore the best fit based on your goals and lifestyle.
Yes, you can transfer credits from the graduate certificate to the master’s program.
Transfer credits may be awarded on a case-by-case basis. Our enrollment coaches are here to help discuss your options.
This program is designed for students interested in a broader education in elements of research administration. Although we currently do not offer courses with a direct focus on clinical research administration, students are able to incorporate their interest in clinical research through class coursework.
Students can apply scholarships and grants to this program. We also recommend that students communicate with their employers to discuss opportunities for tuition reimbursement.
You can apply via the College of Graduate Studies website.
Online Support for Success
You’ve made the decision to continue your education and we’re here to help. From the moment you express interest in a UCF Online program, you’re assigned an enrollment coach to help you navigate everything from completing an application to understanding tuition and the financial aid resources available to you. Once you’re admitted, you’ll be transitioned to a personal success coach who will support you with maintaining school-life balance from the first day of classes through graduation. You’ve committed to furthering your education and we’re committed to guiding you along the way.