The Graduate Certificate Program consists of the following five required courses:

• PAD 600: Introduction to Public Administration (4 credits)
• PAD 604: Organizational Behavior (4 credits)
• PAD 634: Ethics in the Public Sector (4 credits)
• PAD 633: Budgetary Policy (4 credits)
• PAD 628: Fundamentals of Research Administration (4 credits)(proposed)

Graduate Certificate Program students must maintain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0.

Applicants who are not enrolled in a graduate degree program at Cleveland State University must apply for graduate certificate admission. Applicants for admission into the graduate certificate program must:

a. Submit an application for a graduate certificate-seeking program, along with the $30 fee

b. Submit an official transcript that shows evidence of an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75

c. Submit two letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s research administration experience.

d. Submit a resume indicating educational background, and a philosophy statement that explains your commitment to the profession, leadership and excellence.

e. Meet ONE of the following criteria:

• Obtained a GRE score at the 50th percentile or higher within the last six years
• Completed the equivalent of 12 semester hours of Cleveland State University graduate course work AND earned a grade of B or better in each course
• Earned a baccalaureate degree and an undergraduate GPA that was at least 3.0
• Earned a master’s or a JD degree from an accredited institution

f. Upon admission to this graduate certificate program, all students must contact the Graduate Program Advisor of the Levin College to prepare a program of study.

Degree-seeking graduate students who hold regular status in the Levin College of Urban Affairs will be considered for admission to the certificate program. In addition, applicants must have a career commitment to research administration as evidenced by the student’s resume and a statement of career goals.

Students enrolled in a graduate degree program at Cleveland State University must file prior to graduation a letter stating their intent to complete the requirements for the Certificate in Research Administration. The letter, addressed to the Graduate Programs Advisor of the Levin College, must specify the anticipated date of completion for each course taken to fulfill the certificate requirements.

Format | Cost | Application Information | Course Information

Format
What is an "executive program format"?
It is not a traditional format higher educational format. What this means for our program is when you apply to the program you are committing to take the five courses as a cohort. Most the coursework is completed over the web via WebCT but you are required to participate in a residency.

How are the courses taught?
The courses are taught through readings and discussions via the Internet. The web and in-person instruction and lectures combines the expertise of CSU faculty and staff, Society of Research Administrators International's distinguished faculty and experts in various particular fields. During the residency the students will receive case studies, presentations, and lectures to assist the student in bringing it all together. The learning style incorporates the learning into a final project, paper or exam to prove competency.

How are the courses handled during the week's residency?
The revised residency attaches 2 days and specific sessions from SRA section and annual meetings, the spring meeting residency is determined by the composition of the cohort and will be attached to the appropriate section meeting of the majority, while the annual meeting is self-explanatory.

Arrangements can be made for institutional residency, where the instructors travel and not the students should an institution fund a cohort.

What is WebCT?
WebCT is a web based courseware that that allows the class to access information and interact with one another via Internet. CSU has the license, so once admitted to the certificate program you will receive a CSU ID that will enable you to utilize the program from anywhere in the world.

Cost
What does the Certificate cost?
The Certificate is completed in two semesters and the tuition covers the costs of the instruction, and the following items while you are in residency: tuition, handouts, speakers, food and hotel.

The calendar year 2006 rate is $500 a credit hour or $2,000 per course. We were able to maintain the same rate for 2007.

COMPARE fee rate to other Nationally Ranked programs

Application Information
Enrollment Dealine for Fall 2007 Class:
Certificate and those that begin the programs as Non-Degreed seeking applications should be received no later than August 5, 2007 to guarantee enrollment.

How do I apply?
The minimal information required for entrance qualification into the Graduate Certificate in Research Administration at Cleveland State University, you must:

• Complete the Graduate Student application found at: http://www.csuohio.edu/admissions/gradForm.html
• Include $30 for processing
• Forward your sealed transcripts from your bachelor's degree either with your application or directly from your institution to Cleveland State University
• Include two letters of reference
• Include a current resume

This will either provide admittance as a non-degreed student or a certificate-seeking student. The difference between non-degreed student and certificate-seeking student is if you meet all the minimum entrance requirements of the program.

What if I do not have a Graduate Entrance Examination (GRE) score?
If you do not have a GRE score, you are able to participate in the certificate program by completing the minimum requirements. You will enter the program as a non-degree seeking student. After completing the the three courses with a B or better in the classes, your status will change from a non-degree seeking student to a certificate-seeking student.

Please be aware that you cannot receive a Master's degree from the Levin College without taking the GRE.

What if I already have a Master's or a PhD do I still need to complete the GRE?
If you received either a Master's degree or a Doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher education the GRE requirement is waived.

Am I able to transfer some Master's credits to Cleveland State University?
The Cleveland State University credit transfer policy is available at: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/gradbulletin/section01/acadreg.html#1078

Course Information
These courses do not seem to apply to research administration, do they?
All of the courses will have a research administration focus. Every homework and discussion board will apply the theory of public administration to the profession of research administration. Since research administration is broader then our specific jobs, so should the education.

How does the course 'Introduction to Public Administration' apply to research administration?
The course covers the functional areas of p.a., including personnel, budgeting, and planning. Reviews the history of p.a., the legal environment of public management and ethics. The student learns the process of the American governmental system with a focus on research administration.

How does the course 'Budgetary Policy' apply to research administration?
This course covers the importance of budgeting and finance to public policy makers and research administrators. Examination of budgetary processes, formats, & accounting systems will provide a deeper understanding of the administration of budgets. Student will learn how budgets are created.

How does the course 'Ethics in the Public Sector' apply to research administration?
This course provides students with an understanding of the ethical dimensions of p.a. and helps develop the awareness, skills, and value framework to act ethically in a public or private sector management role. The case studies will involve dilemmas faced by research administrators on a daily basis.

How does the course 'Organizational Behavior' apply to research administration?
Complex formal organizations are the principal social vehicle for the conduct of public affairs. This course is an introductory graduate seminar, which examines the principal conceptual and theoretical bases for understanding the behavior of complex formal organizations, especially large-scale public bureaucracies.

How were the courses determined to be applicable to research administration?
A needs assessment was performed on a sample of the total membership of the Society of Research Administrators International. The sample received an email notification that requested their participation in the survey. The results were analyzed and provided the basis for the curriculum choices.