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)
>
>
>======================================================================
> Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
>subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
>via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
>======================================================================
>
>
>======================================================================
> Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
> subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
> via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
>======================================================================
>

======================================================================
 Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including
 subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available
 via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists")
======================================================================