Master of Science in Research Administration and Compliance

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2023 Priority Deadline: April 6, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: May 18, 2023

Note: Applicants who submit their application by the Fall 2023 Priority Deadline listed above will be able to submit without being required to pay an application fee.

Research administration and compliance expertise is needed across a diverse group of organizations, including academic institutions, research institutes and centers, hospitals, clinics, and the pharmaceutical industry. Each step within the life cycle of research is governed by complex regulations that overlap in their functions, and require high-level expertise to integrate concepts, policy requirements, and ethical considerations to assess, improve, and develop research programs. 

The MS in Research Administration and Compliance online degree program creates a clear, attainable career path for research administration and compliance staff to become highly skilled leaders. The program guides professionals to make effective business decisions for their research enterprises by focusing on the following areas:

  • Financial stewardship of research funds
  • Ethical and compliant conduct of research
  • Clinical research administration and compliance
  • Intellectual property issues
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Organizational behavior and leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Research Administration and Compliance professionals Do?

Read the article, ‘We’re problem solvers’: research administrators offer guidance to working scientists featuring our own faculty member, Debra Schaller-Demers.

Meet Some of Our Recent Faculty

Career Prospects

According to PayScale.com, typical salaries for research administration managers across the U.S. range between $75,875 and $137,189 per year. Similarly, compliance managers can earn between $75,420 and $115,467 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for research administrators and compliance officers to grow by 9.9% and 8.2%, respectively, by 2026.

Students graduating from the MS in Research Administration and Compliance program can expect to become administrators at academic institutions, healthcare organizations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. With sufficient experience, graduates can aim to become leaders holding senior executive positions within these areas. Numerous and diverse career positions within these sectors include, but are not limited to: Contracts and Compliance Manager, Director of Sponsored Programs, Executive Director of Clinical Research Administration, Vice President or Vice Provost for Research Administration and/or Compliance, Research Program Manager, Grants Administrator, Clinical Research Quality Assurance Director, Research Finance and Post Award Administrator, Research Compliance Officer.

NCURA Education Scholarship Fund

The Education Scholarship Fund awards $2,500 scholarships to research administrators who have been National Council of University Research Administration members for at least one year and who are currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in research administration.

Admissions Criteria

Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants are required to write a personal statement, upload a resume, and provide two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation may be submitted before or after submitting an application. Please note that an individual interview may be necessary.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2023 Priority Deadline: April 6, 2023
  • Fall 2023 Regular Deadline: May 18, 2023
Apply Now

Recent News About Master of Science in Research Administration and Compliance

Nudges, Algorithms, and Human Choice: What Does the Future Hold?

March 10, 2022

Wisconsin Lawyer

James Casey, a faculty member in the CUNY SPS MS in Research Administration and Compliance program, has published the article "Nudges, Algorithms, and Human Choice: What Does the Future Hold?" in the March 2022 issue of Wisconsin Lawyer.

2022 Florida Research Administration Conference Presentations

February 16, 2022

Florida Research Administration Conference

MS in Research Administration and Compliance faculty member James Casey delivered two presentations at the 2022 Florida Research Administration Conference. Recordings of his presentations "Data Protection for the Research Administrator" and "Overview of Contracting for the Research Administrator" can be viewed at the conference's YouTube channel.

MyCOVIDRisk App

November 23, 2021

Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health

Zahrie Ernst, a student in the CUNY SPS MS in Research and Administration Compliance program, was the lead project manager for MyCOVIDRisk app. This free and publicly available app, developed by the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health, is designed to help people assess their COVID risks.
CUNY SPS Dean Silva-Puras posing with 2021 Scholarship Recipient winners April Outen and Adina Hoppenstein

CUNY SPS Honors Scholarship Recipients at 8th Annual Reception

November 04, 2021

On October 27, CUNY SPS honored its 2021 scholarship recipients at the School's first in-person event since the pandemic shutdown.