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MRA program combines research, admin
by Megan
Fink
Public
Relations
A new graduate program offered through the College of Health
Professions (CHP) unites the culture of research with the advanced
study of management.
The Master in Research Administration (MRA) program focuses on the
health care industry and is tailored for professionals already working
in the research administration field. It is not limited to those with
medical backgrounds.
The MRA program is the only one of its kind in the Southeast and one of
three nationwide, though it’s executive-style format is unique. MRA
coursework includes a mix of on-campus classes, which are scheduled
mostly on the weekend, and online lessons. The on-campus instruction
allows students to collaborate with others in the program, while the
Web-based portion provides convenience and control over how they spend
their time.
Narrated power-point presentations and access to recorded lectures are
examples of one-way communication tools being implemented to support
the program, while video conferencing provides a two-way communication
channel between students and faculty.
MRA faculty is composed of both existing residential faculty in the
Department of Health Administration and Policy and additional adjunct
faculty; senior researchers complementing senior professors and
administrators. Leaders at Clemson University and the University of
South Carolina also have expressed interest in future partnerships with
the CHP, especially in other areas of research such as agriculture and
politics.
“The goal of the program is to improve the economic well-being of the
state by getting top-tier people working in research administration,”
said James Zoller, Ph.D., interim chair and associate professor,
Department of Health Administration and Policy. “We believe MRA
graduates also will contribute significantly to the state’s research
effort.”
As research programs are more frequently funded by sponsoring agencies
and increasing in complexity, highly-skilled professionals are needed
to maintain institutional compliance while managing the organization’s
resources.
“Administrators will be trained to become partners with researchers,”
Zoller said. “Students will understand the structure of a clinical
trial and converse about research in general, even though they are not
actually conducting the research.”
The curriculum consists of 36 semester hours spread over four to six
semesters, depending on the course load. Students may enroll in three
classes each semester (full-time status), and there are three semesters
offered each year in the MRA academic calendar; fall, spring and
summer. Part-time students take one less class each semester.
For information on the MRA program and application requirements for
fall 2008, visit the college’s informational site at http://www.musc.edu/chp/mra/index.htm,
or contact Ann Brown, student and alumni programs manager in the
College of Health Professions at brownah@musc.edu. Prospective students
can fill out an online application for the MRA program through the MUSC
Enrollment Management Web page; http://www.musc.edu/es/application/mra/index.shtml.
On Campus Sessions
All students will attend one four-day on-campus session each semester.
Each course meets four hours per day in either the morning or afternoon
during the on-campus session for a total of 16 hours.
- Fall 2009: Aug. 26-30 (Aug. 26 is for new students
only)
Courses
Health Care Delivery Systems; Health Behavior and Epidemiology; Health
Care Accounting; Organization Theory and Behavior; Human Resources
Management; Research Methods I; Research Methods II; Fundamentals of
Research Administration; Human Trials; The Clinical Research Industry;
Fundamentals of Compliance; and Research Administration Practicum
Admission requirements
- At least one year of work experience in research
administration or sponsored administration programs in any research
field.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited
college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Completion of the GRE exam with an aggregate score of at
least 1,000 or GMAT exam with a score of at least 500.
- Completion of a MUSC electronic application.
- Three recommendations from individuals who can comment on
the applicant’s professional background, academic capabilities and
motivation.
Friday, Dec. 7, 2007
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updated
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