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Certified Research Administrator Program

usf-centric curriculum for researcher administrators

The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø offers a certification program for employees who serve as research administrators. The designation, Certified Research Administrator-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø (CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø), identifies the certification with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and is aligned with recognized academic and professional credentialing.

The CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø stands apart from other research administration certifications in that the curriculum is ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-centric, focusing on the business systems, processes, best practices, tool, resources and forms endorsed and used by the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

Being an effective research administrator requires not only extensive knowledge and understanding, but also many skills and abilities that can only be learned and developed through practice and hands-on application in real-world settings. These courses lay the foundation for participants to further develop their knowledge base and improve job skills and competencies outside the online course environment.

Types of Credentials

Two credentials may be earned by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø employees, CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Basic and CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Advanced, by successfully completing the applicable online course. Employees who earn a credential become members of the Academy of Certified Research Administrators at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

Recertification

Certification standardization is essential to upholding the integrity of the CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø credentialing program and serves to support the credibility of those who hold the credential at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. Recertification helps to ensure members of the Academy of Certified Research Administrators maintain their credential with a current syllabus. Sponsored Programs recommends recertifying every three years to keep up to date on changes to the research enterprise at the university. As research guidance evolves so will the information covered in the courses.

Member Database

Employees who earn a credential become members of the Academy of Certified Research Administrators at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. Members are included in the Academy’s online database that lists active ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø employees who have earned one or more CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø credentials. You may search members by College/Department, Last Name, or Certificate Type. The database also includes certificate dates.

Certificates

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø employees who have earned a CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø credential may download a copy of their signed certificate(s) from the Academy of Certified Research Administrators Member Database. Each credential has its own certificate. Documentation of course completion is also reflected in the employee’s GEMS training record.

Authorized Use of the CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Credential

All active ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø employees who hold a current credential are authorized to use the credential and are expected to properly cite their credential in their signature block.

Along with earning a credential, comes an obligation to uphold the integrity of the CRA-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø designation which supports the credibility of those who hold this honor. Both the credential and the Academy have come to connote competency and integrity resulting from consistent adherence to Federal/State regulations, sponsor guidelines, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø policies, procedures, and standards of acceptable business practices.

Authorization to use the credential is at the discretion of Sponsored Programs. Employees who do not recertify within a reasonable time frame, after expiration, may have their credential temporarily revoked until they are recertified.