Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Analysis & Evaluation Methods
The College of Education at the University of West Georgia offers a course of study leading to a Graduate Certificate in Data Analysis and Evaluation Methods. Students will receive training in applying statistical and qualitative research techniques to analyze and provide feedback on programs in a variety of governmental and non-governmental arenas.
This program can be face-to-face, hybrid, or online, depending on the student's choice of courses.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.
The Data Analysis and Evaluation Methods certificate focuses on analyzing data for various purposes, such as research projects, program evaluation, and organizational improvement. It includes instruction in research design, program evaluation, quantitative or qualitative research, and data analytics.
Program Location
Carrollton Campus, Online
Method of Delivery
This program can be face-to-face, hybrid, or online, depending on the student's course selections.
Courses in the program will usually be offered in an unconventional format appropriate for working professionals. Most of the face-to-face courses are offered as once-a-week evening classes. Departments may occasionally offer the courses online (fully or hybrid), on weekends, and during the summer semester.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 12
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program may be earned entirely online, entirely face-to-face, or anything in between.
Save money.
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
Students may earn the Certificate in Data Analysis and Evaluation Methods after completing 12 graduate semester credit hours. Based on their interests, students may select courses from various disciplines such as education, psychology, sociology, criminology, business, etc. The program of study should include one foundation course (3 credits), one program evaluation course (3 credits), one research methods course (3 credits), and one capstone course (3 credits) from the following list:
I. One Foundation Course:
- EDRS 6301 Introduction to Research in the Human Sciences
- EDRS 8301 Educational Research Design
- EDSI 9960 Research Design
- CRIM 6013 Social Research
- SOCI 6013 Social Research
- POLS 6202 Research Methods for Public Administration
- PSYC 6083 Research Methods
II. One Program Evaluation Course:
- EDRS 7101 Program Evaluation I: Introduction to Program Evaluation
- EDRS 9101 Program Evaluation I: Introduction to Program Evaluation
- EDSI 9171 Program Evaluation
- HESA 7152 Research and Program Evaluation
- HESA 9224 Institutional Assessment and Program Effectiveness
- MEDT 8480 Program Evaluation
- SPED 7701 Program Planning and Evaluation
- CEPD 8156 Designing Effective Programs
- CEPD 9171 Program Evaluation
- CRIM 6275 Planning and Evaluation
- SOCI 6275 Planning and Evaluation
- POLS 6204 Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
III. One Research Methods Course:
- EDRS 6303 School-Based Research Methods
- EDRS 6341 Using Data to Improve the School
- EDRS 6342 School and Classroom Assessment
- EDRS 8302 Educational Research: Theory and Practice
- CEPD 8184 Research: Quantitative Analysis
- CEPD 8194 Research: Mixed Methods Analysis
- CEPD 9183 Directed Doctoral Research
- EDSI 9961 Quantitative Research Methods
- EDSI 9962 Qualitative Research Methods
- EDSI 9963 Action Research for Change I
- EDSI 9964 Advanced Research Seminar
- HESA 9221 Qualitative Research in a Higher Education Environment
- HESA 9222 Quantitative Research in a Higher Education Environment
- HESA 9223 Applied Research Practices
- MEDT 8484 Research on Media and Instructional Technology
- MEDT 8485 Research Seminar II
- SPED 7782 Directed Research Readings in Special Education
- SPED 8784 Research Seminar
- SOCI 6613 Qualitative Research
- SOCI 6660 Institutional Ethnography
- SOCI 6660 Institutional Ethnography
- SOCI 6003 Advanced Statistics for Sociology
- POLS 6202 Research Methods for Public Administration
- GEOG 5551 Introduction to GIS and Mapping Science
- CRIM 6015 Managing Data
- ECON 6430 Business Forecasting
- ECON 6485 Special Topics in Economics
- EDRS 7000 Data Analytics
Note:
Students enrolled in the Data Analysis and Evaluation Methods Certificate program may use certificate courses toward the completion of other degrees. Students seeking the certificate in conjunction with other degree programs must consult their graduate advisor to ensure they are on track to meet degree requirements.
General
Students will become successful consumers of research through the introduction of principles of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs. Within these categories of research, students will learn the foundations of action research and single subject research.
The study of the general principles of qualitative and quantitative research designs with an emphasis on students being able to apply research methods to problems in education. The primary goal of the course is to prepare leaders to conduct and facilitate research for the purpose of school improvement. In this course, leaders will develop inquiry skills and will learn ways to lead others in the use of research based learning strategies and processes. Emphasis is placed on systematic collection of multiple forms of data to identify improvement needs, choose courses of action to meet those needs and monitor progress toward goal attainment.
The course will provide students experiences in reviewing different types of data, analyzing data from multiple sources and in using different methodologies of interpreting and presenting data. Students will also explore (1) the use of data within curriculum, instruction, and comprehensive school improvement efforts and (2) how to develop a data drive culture within the school.
This course is designed to increase the school leader's knowledge and understanding of assessment and its role in improving student achievement. Students will examine the knowledge and skill base that supports the effective use of assessment within classrooms and schools. The nature and purpose of assessment, its use for improving instruction and the design of high-quality teacher-developed classroom assessments will be emphasized.
This class will be a capstone course for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Analysis and Evaluation Methods. While students have a wide range of options in selecting the other courses included in the program, EDRS 7000 Applied Data Analysis will be the only class all students must complete to obtain the certificate. The course will include a program capstone assessment consisting of an applied data analysis project. The data analysis project will require students to collect/locate and analyze data, interpret the findings, produce a data analysis report, and propose a clear action plan. This project will help assess the effectiveness of the program's student learning outcomes.
This course provides an introduction to evaluation. Topics include an overview of the history of evaluation and an introduction to important evaluation models and practices. An emphasis will be placed on defining evaluation and evaluation-specific methodological skills and practices relevant for conducting high-quality program evaluations.
Students will learn the general principles of educational research and research design in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. Students learn how to design, evaluate, and conduct educational research projects in their respective fields to investigate problems of practice.
Students will study fieldwork and data analysis techniques of qualitative, quantitative, and action research methodologies used in educational research. Students learn correct behavior when working in the field, how to collect data using a variety of methods, and common approaches for analyzing data sources and reporting findings in educational research.
This course provides an introduction to evaluation. Topics include an overview of the history of evaluation and an introduction to important evaluation models and practices. An emphasis will be placed on defining evaluation and evaluation-specific methodological skills and practices relevant for conducting high-quality program evaluations.
This course focuses on the theories, concepts, and processes involved in planning and managing evaluations. Students will engage in evaluations in specific education situations (individual, group, organizational) using focus groups, key stakeholder interviews, survey design, data gathering, analysis and/or other methods as appropriate and analyze outcomes to make recommendations for development and/or remediation.
This course provides an overview of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research designs. Students will learn the fundamental components of research design including developing research questions, reviewing scholarly literature, exploring theory and theoretical frameworks, and the role of ethics in educational research.
This course introduces the graduate student to basic methods of empirical inquiry used in education, nursing, and related social sciences. Quantitative research designs commonly used in these disciplines are emphasized. Students will learn how to select samples, identify appropriate measurement instruments, analyze data descriptively, and apply a variety of inferential statistical tests to answer research questions.
This course focuses on the use of qualitative methods of research, including theoretical perspectives and methods of collection and analysis of qualitative data sources in educational studies. It emphasizes analysis of work samples, observations, inquiry data, artifacts, and other sources of data. Students become skilled at using methods of qualitative research to evaluate school improvement issues. In addition, students examine strategies for thematic and other forms of analysis of observational and inquiry data. Throughout the course students collect and analyze school improvement data.
This course begins a two semester site-based research experience during which students conduct a school improvement project. Students reflect on practice to identify a research problem, conduct a review of literature to provide a theoretical base for their studies, develop research questions, and plan methods for data collection and implementation.
In this course students will strategically begin data collection and analysis processes for their individual research studies. Students will learn how to interpret and write results, discussions, and implications for their studies related to existing literature and theoretical frameworks.
Diana Mindrila, Ph.D.
ProfessorGuidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Graduate Application. A current application fee of $40 is required. Note: The application fee will change to $55 on August 1, 2025.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited institution are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
The following documents are required:
- The online Graduate Application and a one-time application fee of $40 (students already enrolled in a graduate program at the University of West Georgia do not need to submit an application; they should contact their advisor and the program coordinator about adding this certificate to their existing program of study).
- Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended with a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Personal Statement: A statement of purpose describing the reasons for seeking a certificate in Data Management and Evaluation Methods.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
Posted deadline includes Application, app fee, and all supplemental items/documents.
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
Send all official transcripts and documents to University of West Georgia- Graduate Admissions, at graduate@westga.edu, or:
UWG Graduate Admissions
Mandeville Hall
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118
One exception: If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
Contact
For more information on the Data Analysis and Evaluation Methods Certificate, contact:
Dr. Diana L. Mindrila
Professor, Educational Research
dmindril@westga.edu
Office: Education Annex 128
Graduate Admissions
Phone: 678-839-1394
Email: graduate@westga.edu
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
Students who complete the program will:
- Use data sources, data collection instruments, and procedures appropriate for specific research projects.
- Demonstrate specific knowledge in at least one sphere of program evaluation.
- Apply quantitative or qualitative research techniques.