Interdisciplinary Qualitative Research Graduate Certificate

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The Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Studies in Educational Research is intended to prepare students enrolled in the University to design, conduct, publish, and teach rigorous qualitative research. The current academic climate has seen a paradigm shift from a strict focus on objectivist quantitative research to a broader focus on constructionist/subjectivist qualitative research methodologies. Recognizing this shift, our program offers students the appropriate coursework and mentorship to advance their knowledge and application of qualitative research traditions/methodologies such as ethnography, case study, narrative inquiry, post-structural approaches, and creative analytic practices.

Graduate Certificate

Program Objectives:

The certificate will provide students with an understanding of the epistemological and theoretical groundings associated with qualitative research.
The certificate is intended to provide students with knowledge and experience in various qualitative methodologies and methods.
The certificate will assist students in constructing their own qualitative research projects following from epistemology -> theory -> methodology -> method -> analysis/interpretation -> representations -> conclusions.
The certificate will increase critical thinking skills in relation to general qualitative scholarship, including prevailing theories, ethical considerations, and emerging perspectives.
The certificate will provide space for students to practice different methodologies, methods, and types of representation, including both traditional and creative analytic practices.
The certificate program will prepare students to be effective reviewers and critical consumers of qualitative presentations, papers, and journals.
The certificate program will provide students with opportunities to practice graduate level instruction so that they will enter the job market with concrete teaching experience.

Program Admissions

Only students who have been admitted at the graduate level at the University of Memphis are eligible to apply. Graduate students in good standing will be admitted to the certificate program on the recommendation of the student’s advisor and a review of the application materials by the EDPR qualitative research faculty.

To apply to the Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Qualitative Research, students must fill out the University of Memphis online application. The required materials are:

A 2-3 page personal statement about their research interests, prior preparation and experience related to the objectives of the program, and their long-‐range career/professional plan

Program Requirements

The certificate requires 12 semester hours (9 hours of required courses, 3 hours elective) of credit. Below are the required and elective qualitative courses available to students:

Required core courses (9 credits):

EDPR 7561 - Qualitative Mthds Educ ** Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 8561 - Qualitative Mthds Educ ** Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 7562 - Designing Qualitative Research ** Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 8562 - Designing Qualitative Research ** Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 7565 - Qual Methods and Analysis ** Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 8565 - Qual Methods and Analysis ** Credit Hours: (3)

Example Electives (3 credits unless otherwise noted):

We recognize that there are many courses across campus that can enrich our elective selection. However, due to extensive possibilities we cannot list all current and future “potential” electives. Therefore, if a student feels that a course outside of EDPR is appropriate as an elective, we ask that the student fill out the petition for elective form to be reviewed and approved by the qualitative coordinator.

EDPR 7011 - Feminist Research Methods in Education Credit Hours: 3
EDPR 8011 - Feminist Research Methods in Education Credit Hours: 3
EDPR 7563 - Theoretical Frameworks in Qual ** Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 8563 - Theoretical Frameworks in Qual ** Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 7566 - Writing Qualitative Research Credit Hours: (3) (Week-‐long Summer Retreat)
EDPR 8566 - Writing Qualitative Research Credit Hours: (3) (Week-‐long Summer Retreat)
EDPR 8008 - Directed Readings Credit Hours: (1-3)
ANTH 7075 - Methods In Anthropology Credit Hours: (3)
ANTH 8075 - Methods In Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 7076 - Anthropology Writing/Analysis Credit Hours: (3)
ANTH 8076 - Anthropology Writing/Analysis Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 7320 - Sem Meth Soc Res Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 8320 - Sem Meth Soc Res Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 7325 - Sem Qualitative Resrch Credit Hours: (3)
SOCI 8325 - Sem Qualitative Resrch Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 7332 - Topics in Comm Methods Credit Hours: (3) : Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
COMM 8332 - Topics in Comm Methods Credit Hours: (3) : Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
COMM 7434 - Qual Research Methods Credit Hours: (3)
COMM 8434 - Qual Research Methods Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 7312 - Qualitative Resrch/Psyc Credit Hours: (3)
PSYC 8312 - Qualitative Resrch/Psyc Credit Hours: (3)

Graduate Requirements

In order to earn the certificate, students must:

submit a Course History form
1. Complete all Certificate Program course requirements with a B or above average