Social Science Research Certificate

This certificate is designed to give students comprehensive training in conducting social science research. It provides students in a variety of social science disciplines an opportunity for a research-oriented focus as part of their major or minor coursework, while at the same time providing the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of disciplines to study a particular methodology. This certificate provides tangible skills for the work environment and is excellent preparation for students considering graduate school in the social sciences.

Admission requirements

Students must have completed 30 hours, attain a GPA of 2.50 or higher, and have a letter of commitment from a faculty member who will supervise the directed reading and independent research courses.

Program requirements (11-13 hours)

1. One course in general research methods: COM 210(3), PLN 367(3), SOC 301(3).
2. One course in specialized research methods: ANT 351(3), ANT 361(3), ANT 499(3)*, ANT 505(3), ANT 511(3), ANT 550(3), COM 459(3), COM 468(3), ECO 409(3), GEO 363(4), PLN 505(3), PLN 572(4), PLS 573(3), PLS 576(3), SOC 450(3), SOC 403(3), UHC 397(3)**.
3. One directed readings course: Students will complete a literature review and research proposal. ANT 596(3), COM 496(3), ECO 396(3), GRY 496(2), PLN 596(3)***, PLS 496(3), SOC 596(3), UHC 396(3).
4. One independent research project: Students will collect and analyze data and complete the research paper. ANT 599(3), ECO 599(3), GRY 495(3), PLN 596(3)***, SOC 599(3), UHC 398(3), UHC 499(3).
   *When applicable – Ethnographic Field School.
   ** When applicable – Research methods topic.
   *** PLN 596 may be repeated for up to 6 credit hours.
5. All candidates must satisfy the General University Certificate Requirements.

Completion requirement

Attain a GPA of 2.50 or higher for all courses used to fulfill the certificate requirements.