Program Overview

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Research Methods Graduate Certificate

Overview

The Research Methods Graduate Certificate currently offers concentration areas in: a) Applied Quantitative Methods, b) Qualitative Research and c) Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Research. Coursework in both these concentrations prepares researchers to conduct rigorous and meaningful research in higher education as well as research and policy organizations.

Concentration in Applied Quantitative Methods

The Applied Quantitative Methods 18-credit graduate certificate provides supplemental preparation for applied quantitative researchers in higher education, research, and policy organizations. Coursework addresses a variety of applied quantitative methods and includes conducting an applied research project.

Coursework

• EDEP 823: Research Project: Designing your Study (3 credits)
• EDEP 824: Research Project: Analyzing your Data and Disseminating Findings (3 credits)
• EDRS 821: Advanced Applications of Quantitative Methods (3 credits)

Electives

• Select 9 credits from the following:
  • EDRS 827: Introduction to Measurement and Survey Development
  • EDRS 828: Item Response Theory
  • EDRS 829: Bayesian Methods
  • EDRS 830: Hierarchical Linear Modeling
  • EDRS 831: Structural Equation Modeling

Concentration in Qualitative Research

The Qualitative Research 18-credit graduate certificate provides supplemental preparation for qualitative researchers in higher education and policy organizations. Coursework is interdisciplinary and will provide theoretical and applied research training across case study, ethnography, grounded theory, mixed methods, narrative inquiry, and participatory action research.

Coursework

• EDRS 812: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (3 credits)
• EDRS 822: Advanced Applications of Qualitative Methods (3 credits)
• EDRS 895: Qualitative Methods Capstone Project (3 credits)

Electives

• Select 9 credits from the following:
  • EDRS 818: Critical Discourse Analysis in Education Research
  • EDRS 824: Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
  • EDRS 825: Advanced Research Methods in Self-Study of Professional Practice
  • EDRS 826: Qualitative Case Study Methods
  • EDRS 832: Document Analysis and Archival Research
  • EDRS 833: Participatory Action Research
  • EDRS 836: Narrative Inquiry
  • EDRS 850: Grounded Theory
  • EDRS 897: Special Topics in Research Methods

Concentration in Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Research

The Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Research (ARDR) 18-credit graduate certificate prepares researchers to conduct rigorous and meaningful research to advance racial justice, decolonization, and equity in society. The certificate has three components: 1) a foundation of three core courses introducing students to critical perspectives in research methods, 2) two electives of advanced applied methods courses including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods options, and 3) an applied capstone course.

Coursework

• EDRS 814: Anti-Colonial Methodologies (3 credits)
• EDRS 833: Participatory Action Research (3 credits)
• EDRS 892: Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Research Capstone (3 credits)
• EDUC 855: Critical Perspectives in Education (3 credits)

Electives

• Select 6 credits from the following:
  • EDRS 818: Critical Discourse Analysis in Education Research
  • EDRS 820: Evaluation Methods for Educational Programs and Curricula
  • EDRS 821: Advanced Applications of Quantitative Methods
  • EDRS 822: Advanced Applications of Qualitative Methods
  • EDRS 824: Mixed Methods Research: Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches
  • EDRS 825: Advanced Research Methods in Self-Study of Professional Practice
  • EDRS 826: Qualitative Case Study Methods
  • EDRS 827: Introduction to Measurement and Survey Development
  • EDRS 828: Item Response Theory
  • EDRS 836: Narrative Inquiry
  • EDRS 850: Grounded Theory
  • EDRS 897: Special Topics in Research Methods

Admissions

Applicants must have a conferred Master's degree from a regionally-accredited institution prior to enrollment.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 18

This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.

Students must select one of the following concentrations:

• Concentration in Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Research (ARDR)
• Concentration in Applied Quantitative Methods (APQM)
• Concentration in Qualitative Research (QR)