The Iowa State School of Education Applied Research Methods in the Human Sciences Graduate Certificate is designed for:

  1. Current or future administrators in education, social service, and non-profit institutions and organizations who want to enhance their knowledge, skillsets, and employment possibilities by adding expertise in social science research methods, and
  2. Post-baccalaureate students in education and other broad social science fields (such as human development & family studies, sociology, women’s studies, and inter-departmental graduate students) who are required to produce original social research

Program Overview

The Applied Research Methods in the Human Sciences Certificate provides excellent methodological training for working professionals and graduate students seeking advanced study in quantitative or qualitative research techniques for the social or human sciences. The certificate is designed to equip students to perform basic and applied social research in education and other human science-related institutions. The completion of this certificate benefits students in their professional work, whether in public or private sectors, and in any current or future academic goals (e.g., doctoral programs) where social research is required.

This certificate program responds to the growing need for administrators and researchers in education and related fields to produce, analyze, and report data that can inform institutional and organization decision-making (e.g., policy development).

Applied research courses are offered in both face-to-face on-campus formats as well as online/distance education formats. The certificate consists of a total of 15 credits:

  • 12 credits accrued from coursework
  • 3 credits from associated fieldwork 

Students will have the option of concentrating on either quantitative or qualitative research methods.