Please note there is no application fee for graduate applications submitted by the Priority Deadline.

Managing research at universities, hospitals, nonprofits and in the private sector requires professionals who can support the whole life cycle of a research project — including understanding how to handle grants and contracts, support ethical conduct, and meet strict federal regulations. The MS in Research Administration and Compliance at CUNY SPS is a fully online graduate program that trains students to oversee every stage of the research enterprise—from finding funding opportunities, writing grant proposals,  managing budgets, human subject research protections, and closing out awards. Newer advances, such as data protection and artificial intelligence (AI) are introduced in select courses. The program prides itself on developing thought leaders for the future.

Designed in collaboration with industry experts, this program prepares working professionals to build fulfilling careers in research management and administration, and compliance.

Research Administration Responsibilities (Not an exhaustive list)

• Finding funding opportunities for grant proposals
• Grant proposal preparation and submission (to PHS and non-PHS)
• Budget development and financial oversight
• Contract and subaward management
• Project coordination and reporting
• Support for principal investigators and research staff
• Navigating institutional and sponsor policies
• Working with unique areas such as international grants, data protection, and AI

Research Compliance Responsibilities (Not an exhaustive list)

• Ensure regulatory compliance
• Develop and maintain policies
• Conduct compliance reviews and audits
• Management,  training, and education
• Identify and manage conflicts of interest
• Investigate misconduct allegations

Who Should Consider Working in these Fields?

1. STEM Graduates
   • People with degrees in biology, chemistry, psychology, engineering, etc.
   • If you love research but prefer not to be in a lab, this is a great way to stay involved.
2. Legal, Ethics, or Policy Professionals
   • Those with a background in law, public policy, or bioethics can excel in contracting and compliance roles.
3. Business or Finance Majors
   • Useful for grant budgeting, post-award financial management, and contracts.
4. Administrative Professionals
   • People skilled in project coordination, reporting, and office systems thrive here—especially in pre-award or department-level admin roles.
5. Former Researchers or Academics
   • Scientists leaving the bench often transition into these roles, bringing valuable perspectives to administrative roles

Career Prospects

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.