While I believe CRA certification is advantageous,
and I’m seeing more job announcements that require certification, we don’t
make it a hiring requirement. For one thing, it is still difficult enough
to find someone with experience in just one area of research administration.
It seems I’ve seen the requirement more in job announcements listed with
SRA (Society of Research Administrators), and perhaps it is emphasized more at
their conferences.
For another thing, it’s one way to continue
the education process in this field and get recognition for it from our peers. If
certification is listed on a resume it is going to give the applicant more
credibility and definitely moves the individual up in my rankings. Testing
for the CRA (Certified Research Administrator) is not easy and it covers a huge
range of topics from Pre-award through Post-award issues. Individuals who
take the exam are going to have a good working knowledge of our profession,
plus, to me, it is a reflection of their work ethic. I admire
anyone who takes the time and effort to study for and take the exam, and
especially those who don’t give up. I also think it’s
important that research administration offices support that effort any way they
can.
It has taken a lot of hard work by some
great individuals in our profession to get the CRA initiated, established and
recognized. I remember one of my mentors , who is not longer with us, in
this business talking about those efforts 20 years ago, did I say that, I’m
not that old, really. I was just a baby when started out in this field.
Honest!
Happy Trails!
Lisa
---------------
Lisa L. Thompson, CRA
Director, Office of Research and
Sponsored Programs
The
Phone: 918.631.2716
Fax: 918.631.2073
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From: Research
Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of John M. Lowe
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
10:54 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] CRA
Certification
How does one actually
become a CRA?
John
-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List
[mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Sandra
Nordahl
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
11:33 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] CRA Certification
I agree with
Lee! It will take awhile for the CRA to become recognized, but the
fact that continuing education in our field is a requirement is also a good
thing. Best "current" practices are always a good thing!
It is very easy to become "outdated" in our profession because of the
ever changing environment.
Sandra
Sandra M. Nordahl, CRA
Manager, Sponsored Research Administration
619.594.4172 (voice)
619.582.9164 (fax)
e-mail: xxxxxx@foundation.sdsu.edu
From: Research
Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Folk, Lee
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 8:26
AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] CRA
Certification
I respectfully disagree
with Charlie! My employer supported me in getting my CRA by sending me to
a CRA review session, paying my travel expenses to get to Dallas to take
the exam, & paying for the exam. He wanted a CRA in our OSP office
& sees it as an asset in dealing with our faculty. I got my CRA a
little over a year ago & am supposed to receive a promotion because of
it. (Yes, it's been a while, but remember this is a small state
university - slow & poor!) In addition to that, the
personal satisfaction has been very rewarding. It has boosted my
confidence & I have had the joy of mentoring others who are going to take
the exam. Mentoring - it just doesn't get any better than that!
Even though there may be
a long way to go to get the CRA recognized as a job requirement, I have
already seen job openings where it was required. In fact, there was
one last Feb that wanted someone with "a CPA or CRA". I
like that. Of course, it's not for everyone. Only you can decide
what's right for you.
Lee
Ms Lee Folk, CRA, MS-UHCL Class of '93 and '00
Research Admin Accountant
Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd, MS 44 Ph 281-283-2138
Houston TX 77058-1098 Fax
281-226-7122
e-mail: xxxxxx@uhcl.edu
"Hope
is a choice." Wendy Schlessel Harpham
From: Research
Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Charlie Hathaway
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 9:33
AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: [Possible Spam: 11%] Re:
[RESADM-L] CRA Certification
My institution is a medical school that, perhaps like
yours, has historically been concerned almost exclusively with NIH
funding. And our research administrative system has evolved in its own
way. I have never heard anyone mention the term
"CRA". If by recognition, you mean personnel policies
that take the certification into account, the answer is no. Of course,
I'm sure that if an employee or applicant presented certification, people might
learn what it means and take it into consideration. But experience,
conventional degrees, and personality will continue to get most
attention.
Charlie
At 09:20 AM 3/28/2007, you wrote:
What are the pros/cons of CRA Certification? Does your
institution recognize the certification? If not, why?
Thanks!
Robin
**************************************
Robin Dewey
Research Grants Manager
Department of Medicine Administration
University of
Box MED, Room 3-3236
Phone: 585-275-6253
Fax: 585-756-4968
xxxxxx@rochester.edu
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information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at
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