Social Science Research Methods (Graduate Certificate)
Are you fascinated by the causes and consequences of human thought and behavior? Build in-demand research and data analysis skills that power careers. This graduate certificate prepares you to lead in any field where evidence-based decision-making drives meaningful results.
Quick facts
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Social Science Research Methods graduate certificate description
Many of the biggest problems today --- such as tracking the outbreak of diseases, managing scarce water resources or understanding the impact of new technologies --- require collaboration across the medical sciences, the physical and biological sciences, the social sciences, and engineering. ASU's emphasis on collaborative work across disciplines is crucial for understanding these complex problems and to develop solutions.
The interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in social science research methods prepares you to acquire, manage and analyze a broad range of data on human thought and human behavior. Data can be qualitative (e.g., text, images or sound) or quantitative (e.g., direct observation, surveys or geospatial). Data acquisition skills may include the downloading and managing of information from online sources or the primary collection of data in surveys or in direct observation. A key feature of this program is a focus on data analysis, so you are able to analyze and interpret any data that you can collect. In the program, you demonstrate skills in statistical analysis as well as a selection of methods related to their interests.
This program is best suited for you if you hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree from regional, national or internationally accredited institutions, and in any field or discipline (e.g., anthropology, sociology, human development, sustainability, geography, political science or other fields with approval of the academic unit).
Why earn a social science research methods graduate certificate at ASU?
You pursue this graduate certificate within one of the nation's largest and most innovative public research universities, connecting you to a wide network of faculty, researchers and interdisciplinary resources across ASU.
You also learn alongside faculty whose work reaches across numerous subject areas, exposing you to diverse perspectives, fresh methodologies and hands-on applications of data analysis.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
18 credit hours including the required applied project course (GCU 593)
Required Core (3 or 4 credit hours) Electives or Research (11 or 12 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students select four elective and research methods courses for a total of 11 or 12 credit hours in consultation with the program directors. The program recognizes that other graduate-level courses on research methods are offered at ASU. Advanced courses on methods are often taught in omnibus courses, courses that have rotating content and whose content is not reflected in their titles. Students may include these courses in their certificate curriculum with approval of the program directors.
PSY 531 Multiple Regression in Psychological Research (4) or
STP 530 Applied Regression Analysis (3) or
STP 531 Applied Analysis of Variance (3) or
STP 533 Applied Multivariate Analysis (3)
GCU 593 Applied Project (3)
Students select one of the multivariate data analysis core courses for a total of three or four credit hours.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Conduct expert multivariate data analysis in social science research.
- Perform the appropriate research method(s) to a research question identified in order to answer the question.
Conduct expert multivariate data analysis in social science research. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a field such as human development, sustainability, geography or political science. Other subject areas may be accepted with approval from the academic unit. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours of their first bachelor's degree program or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants must have completed an introductory statistics course before admission to the program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information International students who need an F-1 or J-1 visa first need to be accepted into a graduate degree program before being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the U.S. on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for admission to this certificate program. Examples of introductory statistics courses include: A statement of interest should include how the certificate program will enhance the applicant's graduate studies or professional work.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
CRJ 504 Statistical Tools for Criminology and Criminal Justice
NUR 617 Foundational Concepts in Science and Statistics
POS 603 Polimetrics I
STP 530 Applied Regression Analysis
or equivalent with approval of the academic unit
Explore expanded study opportunities
Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master's degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this social science research methods graduate certificate prepares you for
Professionals with expertise in social science research are in high demand across sectors and industries, including consulting firms, government agencies and community organizations. Skills in data acquisition, management and analysis are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven strategies in an interdisciplinary and collaborative marketplace.
Career examples include:
- data analyst
- economist
- field researcher
- human behavior researcher
- social science research assistant
- statistician
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
|
COOR 5544
sgsup.gradprograms@asu.edu
480-965-5005
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
