This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Program goal
This certificate program is designed to enable practitioners to acquire additional knowledge and skills in applied social research without necessarily pursuing a graduate degree and provide marketable job/career skills for graduate degree-seeking students in sociology as well as other graduate programs. Because the certificate program involves a limited number of credit hours and coordinates with the type of statistics and methods courses offered in a number of graduate degree programs, it may be pursued simultaneously with other graduate programs such as sociology, social work, public administration, social policy and urban services. At the same time, individuals seeking more limited, specialized training may pursue the certificate independently.
Student learning outcomes
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Students will demonstrate knowledge of applied social research methodology.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to produce data-based social scientific research reports for relevant audiences.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Fall | Jun 1 |
Note: Students may not be able to enroll full time or complete the certificate in one year given the limits on course scheduling.
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- Students possessing a B.A. or B.S. degree and beginning level skills in statistics/research methods are eligible for admission into the certificate program.
- Relevant course or research experience will be considered in evaluating admission and substitution of courses. Equivalency tests are available for required courses in statistics and methods.
Degree requirements
In addition to the VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses.
- Credit hour requirements: Students in the applied social research certificate program are required to earn a minimum of 18 graduate-level credit hours beyond the baccalaureate.
- Grade requirements: An overall GPA of 3.0 is required for award of the certificate, and no more than three credit hours of C may be earned in the certificate program curriculum.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| SOCY 601 | Sociological Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCY 602 | Applications of Sociological Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCY/STAT 608 | Statistics for Social Research | 3 |
| SOCY 699 | Seminar in Sociological Practice | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Students select six credits of electives, as approved by the sociology department’s graduate program director prior to registration; the courses shown below are recommended electives and may be taken without the approval of the sociology graduate program director. | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Workshop in Policy Analysis and Evaluation | ||
| Evaluation Research: Psychological Perspectives | ||
| Principles of Psychological Measurement | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Applications in Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Seminar in Population Studies | ||
| Survey Research Methods | ||
| Social Network Analysis | ||
| Digital Research Methods and Design | ||
| Special Topics (Data Visualization) | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Community Socioeconomic Analysis Using GIS | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this certificate is 18.
Contact
Meredith Katz, Ph.D.
Graduate program director
socygrad@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4028
Program website: sociology.vcu.edu