PostBaccalaureate Certificate in Applied Social Research Methods

The Post- Baccalaureate Certificate in Applied Social Research Methods offered by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health is designed for college graduates who wish to understand how to conduct research projects for communities or organizations. The certificate is awarded by UMBC and has been approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). The four courses in the certificate program provide an understanding of modes of inquiry in the applied social sciences, and various methods and techniques used in applied research. Courses are offered at 4:30-7:00 pm or 7:10-9:40 pm one day per week Monday through Thursday to accommodate students with full- time employment or other obligations. The certificate if open to student with a bachelor’s degree in any undergraduate major. Courses may be applied to the Master of Arts program in Applied Sociology if admitted. Students can enter the program either in the fall or spring semesters, with December 1 as the deadline for spring admission (October 15 for best consideration) and May 1 for fall admission (March 15 for best consideration). Deadlines for international applicants are slightly earlier. Apply here.

The Graduate School recommends applicants have at least a 3.0 GPA or “B” average when applying.For transcripts from schools abroad, the UMBC Graduate School will accept official WES (World Education Services) ICAP Course-by-Course evaluations but note that these evaluations are not required.Students who are unable to meet the minimum GPA standards may still be admitted to graduate study by demonstrating outstanding performance on one or more of the graduate aptitude tests or by providing letters of recommendation from evaluators who can speak to the applicant’s performance as a student or in a professional capacity.Standards for admission to a doctoral program are generally higher than those for admission to a master’s program. The terms of this admission are based on specific recommendations made by the applicant’s department in conjunction with the Graduate School.