Institutional Research

Step 1: Apply for admissions to the University (select one)

• Special Non-Degree Seeking
• Graduate Degree Seeking

Florida Residency Form: If you are a Florida resident, you must complete the Florida Residency Affidavit even if you were previously designated a Florida Resident by the University. If you do not complete this form, you will be classified as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes.

Step 2: Complete Admissions Form

Admission to the graduate certificate program is required. Students are not enrolled in a certificate program by virtue of being enrolled in related courses. Students must apply to and be admitted to the certificate program in order to be considered enrolled.

IMPORTANT: In order to be eligible for admission to a graduate certificate program, an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution.

Admission to College of Education (COE) graduate certificate programs requires submission of the Certificate Admissions Form prior to the completion of two courses in the certificate program.

The Certificate Admissions Form must identify the courses and anticipated semesters you intend to take to fulfill certificate requirements. Students can enroll in either fall or spring semesters and may take seven years to complete the required 15 credit hours.

Courses in the certificate program may be applicable to a graduate degree; however, you should consult with your major professor to determine which courses are applicable to specific graduate programs.

You must complete 15 credit hours to earn the IR certificate. All courses below are three credit hours and are offered online.

Required courses (9 credit hours):

• EDH 5055: Introduction to Institutional Research (Spring)

This course provides an introduction to institutional research as a discipline in higher education. Course content is addressed within the context of organizational, administrative, political and ethical issues in institutional research. Practical experience with research databases and insights from current practitioners in the field are integrated into the course content.

• EDF 6455: Data Use in Education (Summer)

The course will provide an introduction to the theoretical and practical application of data-driven decision-making for educational leaders from the school building level to the state level. This class focuses on how to collect, analyze, review, and present data and information to educational decision-makers.

• EDF 5941: Institutional Research Practicum (capstone) (Fall)

This course provides students with an opportunity to actively apply the use of institutional research geared at improving administration and policy developmental processes at institutions or participate in an internship through an Office of Institutional Research at a local campus.

Electives (6 credit hours):

Select two courses from the following:

• EDF 5461: Introduction to Program Evaluation (Summer and Fall)
• EDF 5449: Survey Research Methods (Spring)
• EDF 6417 Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (Summer)
• EDF 5414 Introduction to Large Data sets (Spring)
• EDF 5401 General Linear Modeling (Fall) 
• EDF 6471 Quasi-Experimental Data Analysis (Spring)
• EDF 6476 Advanced Qualitative Research Seminar (Fall)
• EDH 5078 Outcomes Assessment in Higher Education (Spring)
• EDF 6480: Applied Quantitative Methods for Educational Practitioners (Summer – online EdD students only)
• EDF 5474: Foundations of Practice Models (Fall – online EdD students only)

Course Schedule

O = online
X = face-to-face

Certificate Completion Form

By state law, students are charged different fees based on their residency and student status. See current rates here.

FSU Full-Time Employees (not OPS): If you are a full-time employee at FSU receiving benefits, you may be eligible for the FSU Employee Tuition Scholarship. The scholarship waives the tuition and fees for 6 credit hours per semester. Click here for more details.

State Employee (FL) Tuition Waiver: Some employees of the State of Florida are eligible for the State Employee Tuition Waiver. Click here for more details.

Current FSU Graduate Students: In most cases, the cost of FSU IR Certificate courses should match the cost of your other graduate coursework.

Meet Richard Rubin, an alumnus of our Institutional Research graduate certificate program!

Why did you choose the Institutional Research Certificate program at FSU? 

I am the Data Manager for the Office of Distance Learning at Florida State University.

What are your past/current areas of research?  

My current areas of research focus on student success, continuous improvement for online faculty, and online learning development through the Quality Matters rubric.

Why did you choose the Institutional Research Certificate program at FSU?

I have worked in the Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness fields for several years. I chose the IR Certificate Program at FSU because I recognized the value of data-driven decision making in higher education and wanted to expand my knowledge and skills in this area. I especially wanted to gain more skills in creating excellent data visualizations to present to high-level stakeholders and executives. Since it is an online program, I was able to take courses while continuing to work full-time.

What coursework did you find most valuable in your continued work in education research?

My favorite course was Data Driven Decision Making for Institutional Researchers with Dr. Mokher. I was able to immediately apply skills learned in this course to my current professional work, providing data visualizations to the Director of the Office of Distance Learning that were later presented to Deans, Associate Deans, and other stakeholders. Indeed, I apply skills and knowledge learned from many IR Certificate courses in my role as a Data Manager on a daily basis.

What awards or accomplishments have you earned in IR/education research?

The skills and knowledge gained since I completed the IR certificate program have been invaluable to me as a professional. After completing the certificate, I earned a promotion to a position overseeing data reporting, research, and management. Additionally, my work has been recognized in my department earning several awards for being an important asset to the Office of Distance Learning and a good steward of institutional data.

What advice or opinions about the IR Certificate would you want to give the program to a prospective student?

You should have an idea of what you would like to gain from the IR Certificate program.  As the program offers many electives, there are multiple paths that you can take to expand your knowledge and skills in IR. Personally, I knew that I wanted to better myself in the areas of program evaluation and data driven decision making. With clear goals in mind, I was able to get the most out of my time as a student. Thanks to the IR Certificate Program, I was able to take the next step professionally in the field of educational data management and decision making.

Q: Are standardized tests, like the GRE, required for admission to the program?

A: We do not need GRE scores. All we look for in new applicants is that they have a bachelor’s degree and have an expressed interest in the field of institutional research.

Q: I’ve taken courses similar to the ones offered by the IR Certificate in the past; can I transfer them?

A: In many cases, yes. If the courses were graduate-level and you completed them within the last five years, we may be able to transfer up to three credits (one course).

Q: If I transfer a course, do I have to take another IR Certificate course in place of those credit hours?

A: No, you do not have to take an additional course to make up the credit hours. Your transferred courses will simply take the place of 1 of the IR Certificate courses.

Q: Is there any financial assistance for the IR Certificate?

A: FSU does not provide financial assistance for the IR Certificate, but many of our students qualify for the State Employee Tuition Waiver or they are able to utilize professional development funds at their home institutions to supplement the cost of the course(s).

Q: How quickly am I expected to complete courses?

A: Our expectation is that you complete at least one course per semester once you are enrolled in the certificate program. Per the Graduate School policy, students who are not enrolled at the university for two or more consecutive semesters (or consecutive semester and summer term) and who are not on an approved leave of absence, must apply for readmission before resuming their studies.

Q: My supervisor just told me that I’m responsible for a new project, so I’m going to have to withdraw from a course. What should I do?

A: Withdrawing from courses and possible penalties depend on timing. If you find that you need to withdraw from a course before class begins, your tuition and fees might be refunded to you. If you are past FSU’s drop/add date for the semester, we may be able to give you an “Incomplete” and you can finish the course at a time agreed upon by you and the instructor. To review all of these options and your particular situation, please contact the IR Certificate’s Program Coordinator.

Q: What is the student-faculty ratio? Are faculty members accessible via Skype for students who need some “face time” interaction?

A: Most of our courses have from 10 to 25 students in a course, with a teaching assistant to help the instructor in larger courses. It is an option for our faculty to Skype with students but not a requirement. All of our faculty want students to succeed and are certainly willing to make personal connections with students. Faculty may be willing to Skype or sometimes staying in touch with a phone call works well.

Q: Are there specific meeting times during the courses when we will be expected to attend?

A: Our courses do not have a set meeting place or time. You’ll be completely within the Canvas online environment for all classes. Our courses are “asynchronous” which means “self-paced.” Students are given a timeframe – it’s usually a one-week window – during which they need to connect to their class at least once or twice. Your assignments and discussions will have timelines and due dates but you will not be “in class” during a specified time period.

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