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) >> >> >>====================================================================== >> 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") >====================================================================== > > >====================================================================== > 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") >====================================================================== ====================================================================== 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") ======================================================================
