Advanced Graduate Certificate in Applied Research Methods
Graduate Certificate Programs
Graduate certificate programs are a collection of current graduate credit courses that provide students with a mastery of content within a sub-field of the discipline of education. The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Applied Research Methods is for students who have already completed a graduate or even terminal degree in Education or a related field.
Program Description
The Advanced Certificate in Applied Research Methods is intended for individuals who desire to enhance their knowledge of research methods. The courses in this certificate program emphasize the practical application of research in a variety of workplace settings. Every course in the program incorporates case studies, guest speakers with experience in the field, and research ethics. Courses in the certificate program include action research, program evaluation, and institutional research. Traditional research courses such as statistics and qualitative methods emphasize the practical applications of these techniques. This certificate program emphasizes not only gathering and analyzing data but also writing for academic publication, grants, and institutional reporting. This certificate is ideal for not only current graduate students but also those already possessing a terminal degree who wish to deepen their knowledge of research and writing for publication. For those with a graduate degree, this certificate offers a possible bridge to a doctoral program.
Credit Hour Requirements
Each certificate will require at least 18 hours of graduate credit. Six hours may be transferred from or into an LU EdD. Up to six hours may be transferred from a masters or terminal degree from LU or another institution with advisor approval. Any transferred courses would need to closely align with one of the certificate courses.
General Education Requirements
Advanced certificate applicants must have completed a master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must meet all requirements and follow all procedures for admission to the LU Graduate School including a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university (or SOE recognized regionally accredited international university) with a GPA of 3.0 or better (or equivalent). Admissions General Admissions process will follow the same procedures as any graduate program in Educational Leadership. Students who wish to pursue the EdD during or after completion of the certificate must follow all application procedures for that program. International Students International citizens must meet the Lindenwood University Admission standards for the year of their admission.
Additional Admissions Requirements
Students without EDA 64500/74500 or equivalent must complete this course as a prerequisite. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 (B average) in the program. Certification programs must be completed within five years of entry into the first course.
Transfer of International Course Credit
A student wishing to transfer semester hours of graduate level coursework from an international institution must bring to Lindenwood the following items and present them to his or her academic advisor to review:
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An official WES* course-by-course evaluation of the international graduate level transcript showing the courses that the student wishes to transfer.
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A translated copy of the course description and syllabus for each course that the student wishes to apply to transfer.
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An official WES document evaluation of the international undergraduate transcript, confirming that a baccalaureate degree has been conferred.
Upon arrival to Lindenwood, the student should bring these items to his or her academic advisor. These items will be reviewed by the advisor and will be forwarded to the Assistant Dean of Educational Leadership.
Transfer of U.S. Course Credit
A student wishing to transfer up to six semester hours of graduate level coursework from a regionally accredited (U.S.) institution may do so by requesting that an official transcript be sent directly to Lindenwood University’s Office of Graduate Admissions by the school or schools that the candidate previously attended. Students should bring copies of these official transcripts when meeting with their academic advisors.
Advising
A student wishing to pursue a degree or program other than the Graduate Certificate program should consult with an advisor in the new program to determine whether additional application materials need to be submitted for admission to the new program. Students who wish to pursue the EdD during or after completion of the certificate must follow all application procedures for that program.
EdD or Other Terminal Degree Graduate Pursuing a Graduate Certificate
Any applicant with a terminal degree could enroll in the certificate program. LU EdD alumni could transfer EDA 76700 (Quantitative Method Design in Ed Research) or EDA 768000 (Qualitative Method Design in Ed Research) into the certificate program (up to six hours total). Other terminal degree applicants could transfer up to six hours total into the certificate program, if the coursework aligns with current certificate requirements.
LU EdD Current Student Pursuing a Graduate Certificate
Current EdD students would be allowed to enroll in certificate courses as well as EdD courses required for the program at the same time. Students would need to have sufficient total credit hours to satisfy both the Graduate Certificate requirements and the EdD requirements. Students could receive a certificate before completion of the EdD. LU EdD current students could transfer EDA 76700 (Quantitative Method Design in Ed Research) or EDA 768000 (Qualitative Method Design in Ed Research) into the certificate program (up to six hours total).
Applicant with Masters Degree only Pursuing a Graduate Certificate
A student must have earned a master’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. university (or SOE recognized regionally accredited international university) to pursue the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Applied Research Methods. Certificate program students may decide to pursue an EdD at any time but must fulfill all EdD program application requirements. Students with a graduate degree may transfer up to six credit hours if the courses align with existing certificate programs (e.g. LU students with an MA in Education may transfer EDR 57500 Action Research/ EDR 58000 Writing for Research and Publication).
Requirements
Required Courses
Certificate students must complete nine credit hours of required coursework, selected from among the following options:
| EDU 60000 | Master's Project | 3 |
| | And | |
| EDR 66700 | Applied Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| | Or | |
| EDA 76700 | Quantitative Methods Design in Educational Research | 3 |
| | And1 | |
| EDR 66800 | Introduction to Qualitative Research Design | 3 |
| | Or1 | |
| EDA 76800 | Qualitative Methods in Educational Research | 3 |
The student must be admitted to the EdD program to enroll in courses at the 7000-level.
Elective Courses
The student must also complete nine credit hours of elective coursework, selected from among the following options: