Program Overview

Graduate Diploma in Social Statistics and Data Analysis

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers a Graduate Diploma in Social Statistics and Data Analysis (SSDA). This program is designed to provide students with practical and marketable data analysis skills, giving them a competitive edge in their careers.

Program Focus

The SSDA diploma will provide students with an opportunity to gain experience and engage in all aspects of the quantitative research process, from design to data collection and analysis. Many important and contemporary issues will be explored over the course of the program. Students will be taught an array of topics ranging from social survey research design, to sampling theory, and advanced statistical modelling and computing.

One Diploma, Two Options

Depending on your registration status, there are two ways to apply to the SSDA Graduate Diploma program. Current master's or doctoral students at Carleton apply to the Type 2 diploma option. The Type 3 option is for those who are not currently enrolled in a graduate program at Carleton. This option permits individuals who may not be able to commit to a graduate degree to obtain a graduate-level diploma and to work on it on a part-time basis.

Course Outline

Students in the SSDA Graduate Diploma will complete four one-semester courses over a one- to two-year period:

• Logic of the Research Process
• Multiple Regression Analysis
• Advanced Multivariate Analysis
• One elective course in an area related to quantitative research methods

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, applicants must provide:

1. Official Transcripts
2. Statement of Intent (describing why you want to apply to the program)
3. Two Letters of Reference Note: No specific courses or academic background are required for admission. The entry term is Fall, and the application deadline is February 1.

Hands-on Experience

The SSDA diploma will help develop practical skills through various mechanisms. Students will be taught intermediate to advanced statistics and how to apply them to large datasets using a variety of general and specialized statistical software. Students will also learn how to effectively communicate statistical concepts, methods, and results in written and spoken forms to scientific and non-scientific communities.

Career Paths

Graduates of the SSDA diploma program will acquire many of the sought-after skills in data management and analysis that appeal to public and private sector organizations. These data skills will qualify graduates to work as a data analyst—a fast-growing occupation in many industries, including government, education, healthcare, market research, and more.

Benefits of the National Capital Region

The National Capital Region is a major hub for social science data collection and analysis and home to Statistics Canada. The competences gained in the SSDA Graduate Program will provide a competitive advantage to graduates in gaining employment in areas where quantitative research methods and statistics are used or required, especially in government and non-government organizations.