Re: Master's Degree in Sponsored Programs Rochelle Athey 17 Oct 2003 11:29 EST

Jumping into the fray --

In my opinion, a Ph.D. is no guarantee of a higher salary.

And to grind this axe.....Ph.D. training turns one into a specialist.
I don't think we need specialists in management positions in research
administration.  We need generalists; people who have an
understanding of the many different facets that make up our little
world.  I think MPA's have an advantage in the generalist environment
and make good managers (...she said as a graduate of an MPA program).
I think on the job training is more important to an understanding of
resadm; but an MPA didn't hurt.

I have noticed (in a completely unscientific review) of many resadm
positions that the small schools tend to want to hire Ph.D.s but the
larger schools do not.  I suspect this is because the need for a
generalist (and a good manager of people and processes) is recognized
at the larger schools.  Just IMHO, of course.

But in any event, I also feel that salary is more a function of the
size of the school and the research program/infrastructure than
anything else.

Cheers,

Rochelle Athey
University of Texas at Austin

>Finally!!  Someone spoke about compensation....and most schools
>can't and won't compete on compensation.  Master's degree alone
>won't warrant significant comp.  PhD's are what justify a school to
>pay the bigger salaries in research administration....did I just
>open "Pandora's Box"?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Kim Caroline [mailto:xxxxxx@EMORY.EDU]
>Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 9:34 AM
>To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG
>Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Master's Degree in Sponsored Programs
>
>
>But then, of course salaries for positions in Sponsored Programs would
>have to increase to attract MBAs and others with advanced degrees and it
>has been my observation (and experience) that most schools are reluctant
>to do so.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG] On
>Behalf Of Rhodes, Kris E
>Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 10:06 AM
>To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG
>Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Master's Degree in Sponsored Programs
>
>More thoughts on a day when I don't even have time to think....
>
>I think academic degrees do represent a general understanding of subject
>matter, but more than subject matter, academic degrees are measure of
>one's stick-to-itness and ability to work within a structured
>environment.  And of course in a university environment surface respect
>is divvied out based on who-has accomplished "what I have", so PhD's
>rule; J.D.'s also receive special consideration in our field.  Long-term
>respect is dependent not upon degrees, but one ability to accurately
>analyze and respond to situations, with follow through being the final
>component.
>
>And I should have thought a little broader yesterday on standardized
>degrees, but the JD and the MBA are also provide some of the tools that
>will assist someone in excelling in this field.
>
>When it comes to technical understanding, assessment, and application of
>topics relevant to research administration, one of THE sharpest and most
>thorough people I have worked has a Bachelor's degree; this is a person
>who has completely earned the respect (and at time annoyance) of
>faculty.  This person has Master degreed staff and JD's under her
>supervision.
>
>Some of the assessment of what degrees does a person have in research
>administration, has to do with what where the choices a person made
>along the way.  For example in my case a Ph.D. is in my long range
>plans, but pursuit of another degree would mean committing less energy
>to my office and my profession and this is not a choice I want to make
>at this time, I hope to at some point to have my shop in such an
>even-keeled state that boredom propels me on to pursuit of the degree.
>Still the actual battle experience will drive individual competence.
>
>I too would like Pattons and Rommels under my command, but Einstein's
>work was much more efficient ...... I respect the talent individuals
>bring to the table and talent comes in many different packages.
>
>On the Masters in Sponsored Project Administration, there is some
>question as to whether such a degree would universally generate the same
>level of respect as a Masters in an established field and would it be a
>cost effective program for an academic institution.
>
>Kris
>
>__________________________________________
>Kris E. Rhodes, MS CRA
>Associate Director
>Office of Sponsored Programs
>University of Kentucky
>213 Kinkead Hall
>Lexington, KY 40506
>Phone:  859-257-4826; Fax 859-323-1060
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Charlie Hathaway [mailto:xxxxxx@AECOM.YU.EDU]
>Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 9:17 AM
>To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG
>Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Master's Degree in Sponsored Programs
>
>
>Kris' comments left me thinking that creating a masters level program
>may sound good, and follow the pattern of numerous disciplines, but may
>be more feel good than do good.  What are the goals?  Increase the
>talent pool?  Make research administration work better?  Or...use a
>degree to attract and retain people?  Use the facade of a degree as yet
>another substitute for competence?
>
>Has the MEd improved teaching?  Have most good journalists gone to
>journalism school?  Do musicians get master's degrees in performance so
>they can play better?
>
>When grant deadlines roll around, I think I would prefer to have an
>office with more Pattons and Rommels than Freuds and Einsteins.
>
>Charlie Hathaway
>
>
>At 07:05 PM 10/16/03 -0400, you wrote:
>>Hi Carolyn - I'll be at SRA this year, will I by chance see you there?
>>
>>I am unaware of any Master's Degrees that have a significant focus on
>>sponsored projects administration. Higher education administration is
>>probably the closest customizable degree to fit the activities
>>associated with leadership in sponsored projects administration.
>>Public administration is probably the next best fit.
>>
>>SRA has discussed options for the collaborative development of such a
>>program, but I don't think significant progress has been made on
>program
>>creation.   There are training programs to assist individuals in
>>mastering the skills associated with sponsored projects administration,
>
>>SRA has the Department Administrator certification and passage of the
>>CRA (Certified Research Administrator) exam is one measure of expertise
>
>>in the field.  NCURA has the SPA II and FRA session which tend to focus
>
>>on advanced topics in the field.  There are also a couple for-profit
>>organization that also provide training.
>>
>>Being a CRA I'm biased, but I think the CRA is probably the best
>>testament to skill in the field at this time, the next best would be an
>
>>individual's experiences.
>>
>>Hope all is well in Texas!
>>
>>Kris
>>
>>__________________________________________
>>Kris E. Rhodes, MS CRA
>>Associate Director
>>Office of Sponsored Programs
>>University of Kentucky
>>213 Kinkead Hall
>>Lexington, KY 40506
>>Phone:  859-257-4826; Fax 859-323-1060
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Carolyn Pate [mailto:xxxxxx@TXSTATE.EDU]
>>Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 6:18 PM
>>To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG
>>Subject: [RESADM-L] Master's Degree in Sponsored Programs
>>
>>
>>I know there has been discussion at SRA regarding the development of a
>>master's degree program in Sponsored Programs Administration. I've also
>
>>heard discussion of developing an emphasis on sponsored programs
>>administration as part of an already-existing master's program in
>>Public Administration.  Do any of you know of any such programs
>>anywhere in the country?  And if so, do you know any of the details?
>>Thanks.
>>
>>
>>Carolyn Pate, Director
>>Office of Sponsored Programs
>>J. C. Kellam Bldg., Suite 489
>>Texas State University-San Marcos
>>601 University Drive
>>San Marcos, TX 78666-4616
>>512-245-2314
>>512-245-3847 (fax)
>>
>>
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