The Program

The Department of Sociology offers a Certificate in Social Research Analysis. Its purpose is to master basic skills in gathering and analyzing data. Students obtaining the certificate are prepared to obtain entry-level jobs in environments where research is conducted. The certificate also provides a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue a master’s degree in fields such as survey research, public health, program evaluation, market research, public policy and public administration.

Please note, the Social Research Analysis certificate is not offered through UWW Sociology Online.

To declare, students fill out a Completion Form upon enrollment in their final course for the certificate. The completed form along with an unofficial transcript may be submitted by email or mail to:

Social Research Anaylsis Certificate, Sociology Department
1010 Thompson Hall
200 Hicks Way
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003-9277

Requirements

Students take three core courses and one approved elective course.

To receive the certificate, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required across the courses applied to certificate requirements.

Three Required Courses

Sociol 212 Statistics, 4 credits, (an introductory statistics course in another department may be substituted for Sociol 212)
Sociol 213 Data Collection and Analysis, 4 credits
Sociol 314 Field Research Methods, 4 credits

Elective Course

Course offerings frequently change, creating more options. Students should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Advising (DUA) when choosing their elective(s). Possibilities include advanced courses in research methods in the Sociology Department as well as in other departments. Potentially acceptable choices include:

Anthro 360 Methods in Linguistic Anthroplogy
Comm 355 Behavioral Research in Communication
Comm 414 Studying Everyday Talk
DACSS 602 Research Design
DACSS 603 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
Educ 327 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practices
Educ 619 Qualitative Research Methods in Education
Educ 797 Special Topics - Seminar in Research Methods
Educ 797G Special Topics - Arts-Based Research Methods
Geograph 352 Computer Mapping
Honors 495K Research Gets Real: Principles and Practices of Community Engaged
Journal 352 Public Relations Research and Analysis
Legal 450 Legal Research and Writing
Marketing 412 Marketing Research
PoliSci 328 Research Methods for Political and Social Sciences
PoliSci 394RI Political Polling and Survey Research
PoliSci 750 Research Design
PoliSci 755 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
PoliSci 797BB Special Topics: Qualitative Research Methods
PoliSci 797SR Special Topics: Survey Research Methods
Psych 241 Methods of Inquiry in Psychology
PubHealth 224 Epidemiology in Public Helath
ResEcon 313 Quantitative Methods in Applied Economics
Sociol 313 Survey Design and Analysis
Sociol 710 Research Methods I
SPP 607 Policy Methods
SPP 636 Qualitative Research Methods

There are also many research methods courses available from the Five Colleges that may count for this certificate - other courses (UMass and Five College) may be approved on a case by case basis by the Director of Undergraduate Advising.

Internship

Students are strongly encouraged to pursue a research-based internship or practicum in order to apply the skills they will develop in their coursework. To be certain of receiving credit, students’ internships must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Advising (DUA) in Sociology. In ordinary circumstances, students will enroll in one three-credit internship under a sponsor. The DUA can help students locate sponsors. Possible sponsors include faculty members in the Sociology Department, faculty and professional staff registered with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (1001 DuBois Library), or agencies registered with the Field Experience Office (Goodell 511). Internships appear as Sociol 398 on students' records. Internships do not count toward the certificate requirements, but are strongly encouraged.