Institutional Research

Post-Baccalaureate Credit Certificate Program

J. Fredericks Volkwein, Professor and Senior Scientist
400 Rackley Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-9739
Fax: 814-865-3638
E-mail: Volkwein@psu.edu

The program is designed for in-career professionals and graduate students alike and provides considerable flexibility in the choice of courses as well as in the time taken to complete the certificate program. The program aims to furnish students with basic and advanced knowledge and skill that is necessary for institutional researchers in their work to support university or college policy-making.

Some of the courses that comprise the proposed certificate are currently offered as Higher Education courses in such topic areas as institutional research, qualitative methods, research design, finance, studying students, assessment, and faculty work. Moreover, a prerequisite course in statistics is offered at Penn State both in residence and on-line. Other courses are being designed for online delivery.

Students must complete 18 credits (21 if introductory statistics is needed).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the certificate program assumes knowledge of basic (descriptive) statistics. Those without a basic graduate-level statistics course at the point of admission must plan on a 21-credit program for the certificate. There are two required courses--institutional research foundations and research design--but credit may be given for appropriate academic or research experience. All other courses are elective, and 6 of the 18 credits may be transferred from other institutions.

Admissions preference will be given to those holding master's and doctoral degrees. Those holding a bachelor's degree and appropriate graduate course work may also apply. For enrollment in individual courses, preference will be given to those formally admitted to the Institutional Research certificate program. For admission to the certificate program, the following documents will be required:

• Application (a resume and brief statement indicating educational goals and intended enrollment plans).
• Bachelor's, master's, or other graduate degree transcripts.
• One reference, preferably from administrative supervisor, faculty adviser, or institutional research colleague.
• TOEFL exam results are required for applicants whose first language is not English or who have not received baccalaureate or graduate degrees from an institution in which the language of instruction is English.
• Other admissions test scores (GRE, GMAT, etc.) are optional.

PRESCRIBED COURSES

HIGHER EDUCATION (HI ED)
597B. Institutional Research Foundations and Fundamentals (3)
597E. Designing Institutional Research Studies (3)

ELECTIVES (select four)

HIGHER EDUCATION (HI ED)
597A. Assessing Student Outcomes and Evaluating Academic Programs (3) .
597C. Planning and Resource Management Studies (3)
597D. Studying Students and Student Affairs Programs (3)
597F. Conducting Enrollment Management Studies (3)
597G. Analyzing Faculty Workload, Performance, and Compensation (3)

STATISTICS (STAT)
500. Applied Statistics. Multivariate Analysis, Correlation, Regression (3)

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

HIGHER EDUCATION (HI ED) course list

STATISTICS (STAT) course list

Effective Date: Fall Semester 2003
Expiration Date: Summer Session 2008

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

This electronic Graduate Bulletin is a version of the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. It is suggested that users refer to this electronic bulletin when seeking the latest information about the University's academic programs and courses. Printed versions of the Bulletin are also official copies of the programs, courses, and policies in effect at the time of printing.

Last Revised by the Department: Fall Semester 2003

Blue Sheet Item #: 32-01-106

Review Date: 9/2/03