Certificate Curriculum & Instruction

The Certificate in Institutional Research requires that students complete 18 credits of graduate-level course work. Students may transfer in up to six credits of graduate-level coursework in research or statistics from an accredited institution. It is highly recommended that students begin the curriculum with the Introduction to Institutional Research course, which is offered each summer. Below is a listing of the courses currently offered, as well as a description of the content covered and semester the course is typically offered. All of the courses offered are 3-credits. Clicking on the course title will open a sample syllabus for the course. (Please note that course offerings are subject to change.)

Courses for the Certificate are taught completely online using an asynchronous method of delivery. Students may access materials for the courses for which they are registered through Florida State University’s Blackboard website. Courses are generally taught over 6 weeks in the summer and 15 weeks in fall/spring. Coursework consists of readings, online discussions, quizzes, and papers. Courses are taught by faculty in the Higher Education program, as well as adjunct faculty, many of whom have previously completed the Certificate.

Introduction to Institutional Research (EDH 5055)
This course provides an introduction to the theoretical and practical application of institutional research as a discipline in higher education. Institutional research has direct applications to many, if not all, administrative and strategic activities within the institution. Course content addresses local, state, and national issues in institutional research, examines organizational, administrative, political, and ethical issues in institutional research, and exposes students to national databases. Summer term.

Student Success in College (EDH 5042)
American higher education is changing dramatically as an increasingly diverse population gets ready to go to college. This change provides an exciting opportunity to strengthen our human resources. Meanwhile, the college graduation rate has been just around 50% for decades, so one common question in the minds of policy makers and administrators is: How can the educational system effectively promote student success in college? This course examines the theories and research on student success and explores the effective policies, programs, and practices that can be adopted to promote student success in higher education. Summer term.

Special Topics: Data-Driven Decision Making for Institutional Research (EDH 5931)
This course will provide an introduction to the theoretical and practical application of data-driven decision making for institutional researchers. This class focuses on how to collect, analyze, review, and present data and information to decision makers. Higher education leaders are tasked with making hard decisions for which they have incomplete, inaccurate, misleading, subjective information. This class provides structured tools and approaches to help institutional researchers develop materials that will assist higher education leaders make data-driven decisions. Summer term.

Special Topics: Data Mining (EDH 5931)
This course provides an introduction to the basic theories and practice of data mining. Data mining allows for the analysis of large amounts of data in a sequential and logical process. Previous experience with data mining is not necessary. Some basic knowledge of statistics and/or experience with database software (i.e., Excel or Access), is helpful. Course content includes exposure to data mining software and the opportunity to use a DM programs. Lab exercises are used to develop experience with data analysis research. Fall term.

Outcomes of Undergraduate Education (EDH 5068)
This course explores the basics of assessing and evaluating the outcomes of undergraduate education. It is designed to help understand how to use outcomes assessment both in and out of the classroom to create stronger programs, policies, and to evaluate existing activities. The course helps students to design an outcomes based activity from identification of the primary outcome to data analysis to final reporting and presentation of the results to decision-makers. Spring term.

IR Practicum (EDH 5941)
The IR Practicum course is the capstone course for the IR Certificate and typically follows the other coursework for the Certificate. IR Practicum is intended to allow students/participants to apply the theory and practice of IR to a specific project. Recognizing that each student/participant may have different circumstances, the Practicum course is designed around each individual’s circumstances. Some suggestions are: using a dissertation or grant proposal towards the IR Practicum, using a work-related activity or project as the focus of a paper describing the data collection and analysis necessary, or attending an AIR Institute and completing a related project. Alternatively, students may also elect to do a 120-hour Internship in the field of Institutional Research and write a synthesis paper describing the experiences, what was learned, and how the new knowledge will be useful in current/future work (this option is recommended for those with limited IR experience). Other options can be discussed in consultation with the Program Director and Program Coordinator. Summer, Fall, & Spring terms.


	Certificate Home Curriculum & Instruction Application & Registration Faculty and Staff Contact Us			Certificate Curriculum & Instruction The Certificate in Institutional Research requires that students complete 18 credits of graduate-level course work. Students may transfer in up to six credits of graduate-level coursework in research or statistics from an accredited institution. It is highly recommended that students begin the curriculum with the Introduction to Institutional Research course, which is offered each summer. Below is a listing of the courses currently offered, as well as a description of the content covered and semester the course is typically offered. All of the courses offered are 3-credits. Clicking on the course title will open a sample syllabus for the course. (Please note that course offerings are subject to change.) Courses for the Certificate are taught completely online using an asynchronous method of delivery. Students may access materials for the courses for which they are registered through Florida State University’s Blackboard website. Courses are generally taught over 6 weeks in the summer and 15 weeks in fall/spring. Coursework consists of readings, online discussions, quizzes, and papers. Courses are taught by faculty in the Higher Education program, as well as adjunct faculty, many of whom have previously completed the Certificate. Introduction to Institutional Research (EDH 5055) This course provides an introduction to the theoretical and practical application of institutional research as a discipline in higher education. Institutional research has direct applications to many, if not all, administrative and strategic activities within the institution. Course content addresses local, state, and national issues in institutional research, examines organizational, administrative, political, and ethical issues in institutional research, and exposes students to national databases. Summer term. Student Success in College (EDH 5042) American higher education is changing dramatically as an increasingly diverse population gets ready to go to college. This change provides an exciting opportunity to strengthen our human resources. Meanwhile, the college graduation rate has been just around 50% for decades, so one common question in the minds of policy makers and administrators is: How can the educational system effectively promote student success in college? This course examines the theories and research on student success and explores the effective policies, programs, and practices that can be adopted to promote student success in higher education. Summer term. Special Topics: Data-Driven Decision Making for Institutional Research (EDH 5931) This course will provide an introduction to the theoretical and practical application of data-driven decision making for institutional researchers. This class focuses on how to collect, analyze, review, and present data and information to decision makers. Higher education leaders are tasked with making hard decisions for which they have incomplete, inaccurate, misleading, subjective information. This class provides structured tools and approaches to help institutional researchers develop materials that will assist higher education leaders make data-driven decisions. Summer term. Special Topics: Data Mining (EDH 5931) This course provides an introduction to the basic theories and practice of data mining. Data mining allows for the analysis of large amounts of data in a sequential and logical process. Previous experience with data mining is not necessary. Some basic knowledge of statistics and/or experience with database software (i.e., Excel or Access), is helpful. Course content includes exposure to data mining software and the opportunity to use a DM programs. Lab exercises are used to develop experience with data analysis research. Fall term. Outcomes of Undergraduate Education (EDH 5068) This course explores the basics of assessing and evaluating the outcomes of undergraduate education. It is designed to help understand how to use outcomes assessment both in and out of the classroom to create stronger programs, policies, and to evaluate existing activities. The course helps students to design an outcomes based activity from identification of the primary outcome to data analysis to final reporting and presentation of the results to decision-makers. Spring term. IR Practicum (EDH 5941) The IR Practicum course is the capstone course for the IR Certificate and typically follows the other coursework for the Certificate. IR Practicum is intended to allow students/participants to apply the theory and practice of IR to a specific project. Recognizing that each student/participant may have different circumstances, the Practicum course is designed around each individual’s circumstances. Some suggestions are: using a dissertation or grant proposal towards the IR Practicum, using a work-related activity or project as the focus of a paper describing the data collection and analysis necessary, or attending an AIR Institute and completing a related project. Alternatively, students may also elect to do a 120-hour Internship in the field of Institutional Research and write a synthesis paper describing the experiences, what was learned, and how the new knowledge will be useful in current/future work (this option is recommended for those with limited IR experience). Other options can be discussed in consultation with the Program Director and Program Coordinator. Summer, Fall, & Spring terms.