The certificate program in Social Welfare Research and Evaluation is designed to provide students with advanced research and evaluation skills necessary to assess the outcomes and efficacy of programs, services and interventions offered by social service organizations. In an era of increasing accountability, students will be equipped with the tools to engage in evidence-based practice and evaluation research at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.

Applicants must meet the admissions standards of the Graduate School and the School of Social Work. Eligibility for this certificate is limited to persons currently pursuing a masters's degree in social work (MSW) or who hold a master's degree in social work, counseling or a related human services field.  Prospective Research Certificate students are strongly encouraged to attend a social work doctoral program information session prior to completing an application.

Candidates for the certificate must achieve a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and complete eighteen credits as outlined below in designated advanced graduate courses. These courses include offerings in social work theory, advanced statistics and research methods. Further, students will complete an applied research practicum. The certificate must be completed within three years of entering the program. All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the School of Social Work and the Graduate School governing graduate scholarship and degrees, respectively.

Required Courses 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Three credits of theory for practice and research:
SW 9160	Knowledge Creation and Theory Development for Social Science Research
Six credits of statistics:
SW 9100	Social Statistics and Data Analysis
SW 9300	Applied Regression Analysis and Generalized Linear Models
Six credits of research methods in social work, with specific content and training related to evidence-based practice research:
SW 9400	Qualitative Research Methods in Social Work
SW 9410	Quantitative Research Methods in Social Work
Three credits of a social work applied research practicum with specific content and training related to evidence-based practice research:
SW 9420	Research Practicum
SW 9450	Writing for Publication and Presentation

Graduation from the certificate program will require a minimum g.p.a. of 3.0. In consonance with the grading policy of the Graduate School, a grade of ‘B’ minus or below is considered unsatisfactory. The School will place a limitation on the number of ‘B’ minus grades that students may receive, even if they maintain an overall g.p.a. of 3.0. Students receiving two grades of ‘B’ minus will be terminated from the program. Students should plan regular contact with the Director of the Doctoral Program to ensure that they are meeting the course requirements for the certificate.