Behind every groundbreaking discovery is a team of professionals guiding the research process from concept to completion. UCF’s fully online research administration programs prepare you for this essential role — managing funding, navigating regulations, and supporting innovative work across public and private sectors.
Whether you're pursuing the graduate certificate or the master’s degree, you’ll gain the technical and strategic skills needed to lead complex projects and support high-impact research. From grant development and financial oversight to compliance and contracts, this growing field offers dynamic career paths in higher education, hospitals, nonprofits and government agencies.
Contact Us
Research Administration Program Director
Daniel Seigler, Ph.D.
Graduate Academic Advisor
Nasrin Lakhani
Online for Flexible Scheduling
No GRE Required
Average Salary for Research Administrators
(Zip Recruiter, May 2025)
Degree Programs
Our graduate certificate and master’s degree in research administration are designed for working professionals. With online coursework, you can keep building your career while advancing your education.
Graduate Degrees
Research Administration, MRA
Research Administration, Graduate Certificate
Student Experience
Our research administration programs are designed with your success in mind — whether you're advancing your career, pivoting into a new field or deepening your expertise. You'll join a cohort of professionals, benefit from close mentorship and engage in applied learning that connects classroom theory to real-world impact. We see you not just as a student, but as a future leader in research management.
Advising
Here, advising is personal. You’ll work directly with faculty and staff who are committed to helping you succeed — in the classroom and in your career. From course planning to resume reviews to promotion advice, we’re with you every step of the way. Smaller class sizes and a cohort-based approach mean more one-on-one time and a learning environment that values your goals and experience.
Service Learning
Your learning won’t be limited to lectures. Through service-learning opportunities, you’ll apply what you’re learning in real time by partnering with local organizations on grant writing, HR or research support projects. Choose your own organization or let us help you connect with a partner. Either way, you’ll build your resume, your confidence and your professional network while making a meaningful contribution.
Student Research Opportunities
In our research administration programs, you’ll be encouraged to actively contribute to the field. Many students take their coursework further by developing original research projects and presenting their work at the National Conference on Research Administration (NCURA). This must-attend event is for research pros across universities, institutes and funding agencies. It’s the perfect place to learn fresh skills, hear from top experts and connect with leaders in the field.
More than just sharing your work, presenting at NCURA will help you boost your confidence, build a powerful network, and make an impression that could jumpstart your career.
Knowledge without real-world application won’t get you far. That’s why hands-on partnerships are built into the heart of our program. Whether you're applying classroom lessons through service learning or connecting with professionals who’ve been where you are, our partnerships give you the chance to test your skills, build your network and grow your confidence.
Partnerships
Knowledge without real-world application won’t get you far. That’s why hands-on partnerships are built into the heart of our program. Whether you're applying classroom lessons through service learning or connecting with professionals who’ve been where you are, our partnerships give you the chance to test your skills, build your network and grow your confidence.
Advisory Board
Our Research Administration Advisory Board comprises professionals actively working in the industry — and many are proud alumni of the program. Their insights help shape our curriculum, track with trends and ensure you’re gaining the skills that matter most. Some even teach in the program, bringing practical, current experience straight into the classroom.
Terri Bigham
Associate Director
University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
Rebecca Claycamp
Consultant (Retired)
Csilla Csaplar
Director, Engineering Research Administration
School of Engineering, Stanford University
Mary Davis
Director of Grants
Howard University
Edward Gabriele
Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director
Journal of Health and Human Experience
Andra Kiscaden
Senior Contract & Grant Administrator
University of New Mexico
Cira Mathis
Manager, Internal Programs
University Sponsored Research
Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Amanda Neese
Director of Public Health Grants
Nuvance Health
Joshua Roney
Director, Research Development
University of Central Florida
Hollie Schreiber
Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Jennifer Shambrook (CHAIR)
Director, Grant & Contract Management Office
University of Central Florida
David Smelser
Director of Pre-Award Operations
University of Tennesee, Knoxville
Jo Ann Smith
Assistant Professor
UCF/Valencia College
Sikirat Tijani
Associate Director, Grants and Contracts
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Tony Ventimiglia
Assistant Vice President for Research Administration
Office of the VP for Research & Economic Development
Auburn University Research and Innovation Center
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