Certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies

1. Among the oldest and most reputable in the world
2. Responds to growing demand for national and international training
3. More than 60 affiliate faculty available to support students
4. Online certificate available

Students in the residential campus certificate program will take a minimum of 15 credit hours of graduate coursework in qualitative research and complete a qualitative or mixed methods dissertation.

See more information about our online program.

Applications for the IQS certificate are accepted when students take QUAL 8410: Qualitative Research Design (or equivalent course), and should be submitted to the instructor (or program coordinator for the qualitative research program) by the end of the semester in which this course is taken. Students' names will be added to the program data base of IQS students, and the IQS Certificate will be added to students' files by the Registrar's Office.

Students who are admitted to the IQS Certificate program will be given priority when registering for further coursework (e.g., QUAL 8420/8420e: Analyzing Qualitative Data).

Confirmation of Program of Study

In the year prior to graduation, students should complete the "Confirmation of Program of Study" form and a personal essay and submit that to the program coordinator for review by IQS faculty members. The personal essay explains research interests, plans for dissertation or thesis research, prior preparation and experiences related to the objectives of the program, and long-range career/professional plans following completion of the IQS Certificate program.

The confirmation of program of study form outlines how the IQS certificate program requirements for the certificate have been met (exclusive of the dissertation or thesis) (i.e., listing courses taken).

The certificate candidate's dissertation or thesis committee must include at least one member of the IQS affiliate faculty.

Successful applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Students who are not making satisfactory progress will be subject to removal from the program following faculty review. Such procedures are consistent with existing standards of practice for similar certificate programs within the university and are consistent with university policies on the timely review and retention of students in graduate programs.

Certificate Completion

Once students have completed and defended a dissertation or thesis using a qualitative or mixed methods design they need to apply for graduation from the IQS Certificate program in addition to the degree program in which the student is enrolled. This is done via Athena in the semester of graduation.

Forms for Applicants from Fall 2021 and Later

• Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies Application Form (PDF)
• Confirmation of Program of Study (PDF)
• Checklist of Steps to Completion (PDF)

Forms for Applicants from Before Fall 2021

• Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies Application Form (PDF)
• Confirmation of Program of Study (PDF)
• Checklist of Steps to Completion (PDF)

Students typically apply to the program when taking QUAL 8410 or an equivalent course.

• Program Objectives
• Program of Study
• Course List
• Affiliate Faculty
• Program History
• Projected QUAL Course Schedule
• Qualitative Research Program Community Practices