This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 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.
The graduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Statistics provides students with a strong foundation in statistical techniques commonly used in educational research. Students will develop skills in quantitative research and evaluation, including sampling, data collection, data cleaning, statistical modeling and interpretation of results. The program emphasizes the development of advanced quantitative methodological skills and the application of multilevel and structural equation models. Coursework covers key topics such as quantitative research design, multivariate statistics, multilevel modeling, structural equation modeling and machine learning. Graduates will be well-prepared to design and conduct quantitative educational research and to analyze complex social and educational data.
Student learning outcomes
- Understand basic and advanced methodological concepts that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative and/or statistical research.
- Understand and effectively use a variety of data analysis methods and techniques that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement and/or statistical research.
- Develop an effective research report of evaluation/assessment, measurement and/or statistical research
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 | Apr 1 | |
| Spring | Nov 15 | ||
| Summer | Apr 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- Bachelor's degree
- Two letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
- Statement of intent
- Transcripts of all previous college work
- Resume or curriculum vitae
Please visit the School of Education website for further information.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with advanced quantitative methodology skills in order to engage in research, evaluation and institutional assessment. In our rapidly changing world, in which data continues to proliferate, it is critical for students to have an understanding of how to collect, analyze and interpret many forms of educational data. This certificate fills this gap by providing students with a set of aligned skills in research and evaluation that they can use to obtain a variety of positions in academia and industry.
Degree requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| EDUS 608 | Educational Statistics | 3 |
| EDUS 663 | Applied Multivariate Statistics in Education | 3 |
| EDUS 664 | Multilevel Modeling in Education | 3 |
| EDUS 667 | Applied Structural Equation Modeling in Education | 3 |
| EDUS 668 | Applied Machine Learning in Education Research | 3 |
| EDUS 710 | Quantitative Research Design | 3 |
| or EDUC 797 | Directed Research | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this certificate is 18.
Contact
Office of Strategic Recruitment
soeinfo@vcu.edu
(804) 827-6847
Additional contact
Chi-Ning (Nick) Chang, Ph.D.
Assistant professor
changc10@vcu.edu