Social Science Statistics Certificate Program

This certificate program covers the principal statistical concepts used to design, sample, collect, interpret, and present data as it applies to behaviors of groups of people in their environment and special situations.

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Overview

Our Social Science Statistics Certificate provides the skills necessary to gather, analyze, and assess data for activities like making policy decisions, answering cultural questions, studying behavioral changes, and informing business decisions. This ten course program – including six required courses and four electives – cover the principal statistical concepts used to design, sample, collect, interpret, and present data as it applies to behaviors of groups of people in their environment and special situations.

The core curriculum, taught by leading experts in this industry, covers everything from categorical data analysis, designing valid statistical studies to regression analysis and advanced statistics. The program also includes a comprehensive exploration of survey design, sample size determination, and related processes and mixes theory and practical application so you can apply your skills immediately at your current job or leverage them as you seek a new one.

This certificate is considered the equivalent of a Master’s degree program and earns up to 28 course credits in the U.S. academic system which are transferable as college credit – via the American Council on Education – to other institutions in the U.S. See course offerings below.

Who This Certificate Serves

Social statistics and quantitative data analysis are key tools for understanding society and social change and are highly sought after by a majority of businesses today. This program is for you if you need to strengthen your basic statistics skills, or a researcher seeking more expertise in statistics as it applies to social science. Note: If you do not plan to be conducting research studies in your work, contact us about a possible modification of your required program. Related job titles include:

Researcher
Business Analyst
Data Analyst

Statistician
Data Scientist
Marketer

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Social Science Statistics Certificate Program you will have learned how gather, analyze, and assess data for activities like making policy decisions, answering cultural questions, studying behavioral changes, and informing business decisions.

The design and analysis principles for research studies
The fundamental concepts behind statistical modeling
How to fit linear and logistic regression models, interpret output, and conduct diagnostics
Appropriate designs and sampling plans for surveys

How to determine sample size for a study, and how to calculate power
Techniques for analyzing categorical data (electives)
Bayesian methods for analyzing data (electives)

Prerequisites

You should be familiar with introductory statistics; if needed we can enroll you in Statistics 1 and Statistics 2 at no charge.

Statistics 1 – Probability and Study Design

This course, the first of a three-course sequence, provides an introduction to statistics for those with little or no prior exposure to basic probability and statistics.

Topic: Statistics, Introductory Statistics | Skill: Introductory | Credit Options: ACE, CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 1, 2021, Nov 5, 2021, Dec 3, 2021, Jan 7, 2022, Feb 4, 2022

Statistics 2 – Inference and Association

This course, the second of a three-course sequence, will teach you the use of inference and association through a series of practical applications, based on the resampling/simulation approach, and how to test hypotheses, compute confidence intervals regarding proportions or means, computer correlations, and use of simple linear regressions.

Topic: Statistics, Introductory Statistics | Skill: Introductory | Credit Options: ACE, CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 8, 2021, Nov 5, 2021, Dec 10, 2021, Jan 7, 2022, Feb 11, 2022

Required Courses

Categorical Data Analysis

This course will teach you the analysis of contingency table data. Topics include tests for independence, comparing proportions as well as chi-square, exact methods, and treatment of ordered data. Both 2-way and 3-way tables are covered.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: ACE, CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 8, 2021, Apr 1, 2022

Designing Valid Statistical Studies

This course will teach you how to design studies to produce statistically valid conclusions. Topics covered in the course include: overview of validity and bias, selection bias, information bias, and confounding bias.

Topic: Statistics, Biostatistics | Skill: Introductory | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Feb 11, 2022, Jul 1, 2022

Regression Analysis

This course will teach you how multiple linear regression models are derived, assumptions in the models, how to test whether data meets assumptions, and develop strategies for building and understanding useful models.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: ACE, CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 1, 2021, Jan 14, 2022, May 6, 2022, Oct 7, 2022

Sample Size and Power Determination

This course will teach you how to make sample size determinations for various statistical tests and for confidence intervals, as needed for experimental studies such as comparison studies, as well as for other types of experiments.

Topic: Statistics, Biostatistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Introductory, Intermediate | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 29, 2021

Statistics 3 – ANOVA and Regression

This course, the third of a three-course sequence, provides an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression through a series of practical applications.

Topic: Statistics, Introductory Statistics | Skill: Introductory, Intermediate | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Nov 19, 2021, Jan 21, 2022, Mar 18, 2022, Jul 15, 2022, Sep 16, 2022

Survey Design and Sampling Procedures

Topic: Statistics, Tests & Surveys | Skill: Introductory | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Mar 18, 2022

Elective Courses

In addition to the required courses for the Social Science Statistics Certificate Program, you must choose four electives from the list below to complete your program:

Introduction to MCMC and Bayesian Regression via rstan

In this course, students learn how to apply Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques (MCMC) to Bayesian statistical modeling using R and rstan.

Topic: Statistics, Bayesian, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 15, 2021, Oct 14, 2022

Survey Analysis

This course will teach you how to analyze data gathered in surveys.

Topic: Statistics, Tests & Surveys | Skill: Introductory | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Sep 24, 2021

Persuasion Analytics and Targeting

This course will teach you how to apply predictive modeling methods to identify persuadable individuals and to target voters in political campaigns.

Topic: Analytics, Prediction/Forecasting, Using Python | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: ACE, CEU

Rasch Measurement – Core Topics

This course will teach you how Rasch analysis constructs linear measures from scored observations. You will learn the practical aspects of data setup, analysis, output interpretation, fit analysis, differential item functioning, dimensionality and reporting.

Topic: Statistics, Tests & Surveys | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 8, 2021, Jan 21, 2022, May 20, 2022, Oct 7, 2022

Rasch Measurement – Further Topics

This course will teach you Rasch theory and its application in the Winsteps software begun in Practical Rasch Measurement-Core Topics. This course introduces exciting new topics and delves into earlier topics more deeply.

Topic: Statistics, Tests & Surveys | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Jun 24, 2022, Jun 23, 2023

Principal Components and Factor Analysis

In this course, you will learn how to make decisions in building a factor analysis model – including what model to use, the number of factors to retain, and the rotation method to use.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Jun 17, 2022

Introduction to Resampling Methods

The course introduces the basic concepts and methods of resampling methods including bootstrap procedures and permutation with little or no complex theory or confusing notation.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Introductory, Intermediate | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Mar 4, 2022, Mar 3, 2023

Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

This course will teach you the fundamental concepts and theory of Structural Equation Modeling, including model specification, model identification, model estimation, model testing, and model modification.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 29, 2021, Oct 21, 2022, Oct 27, 2023

Many-Facet Rasch Measurement

This course will teach you the analysis and interpretation of judge-intermediated ratings, like essay grading, Olympic ice-skating, therapist ratings of patient behavior, etc.

Topic: Statistics, Tests & Surveys | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Aug 12, 2022, Aug 11, 2023

Matrix Algebra

This course will teach you the basics of vector and matrix algebra and operations necessary to understand multivariate statistical methods, including the notions of the matrix inverse, generalized inverse and eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: ACE, CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Mar 25, 2022

Meta Analysis 1

This course will explain meta analysis and the methods that are used to assess multiple statistical studies on the same subject and draw conclusions.

Topic: Statistics, Biostatistics | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Nov 26, 2021, Jul 15, 2022, Nov 25, 2022

Meta Analysis 2

This course will teach you advanced issues in meta-analysis and the statistical analyses that are used to synthesize summary data from a series of studies.

Topic: Statistics, Biostatistics | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Aug 19, 2022

Mixed and Hierarchical Linear Models

This course will teach you the basic theory of linear and non-linear mixed effects models, hierarchical linear models, algorithms used for estimation, primarily for models involving normally distributed errors, and examples of data analysis.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Sep 24, 2021

Modeling Count Data

This course will teach you regression models for count data, models with a response or dependent variable data in the form of a count or rate, Poisson regression, the foundation for modeling counts, and extensions and modifications to the basic model.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 22, 2021, Oct 21, 2022

Multivariate Statistics

This course will teach you key multivariate procedures such as multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), principal components, factor analysis, and classification.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Jan 28, 2022, Jul 22, 2022, Jan 27, 2023

Generalized Linear Models

This course will explain the theory of generalized linear models (GLM), outline the algorithms used for GLM estimation, and explain how to determine which algorithm to use for a given data analysis.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Jun 17, 2022

Introduction to Bayesian Computing and Techniques

This course will teach you how to apply Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques (MCMC) to Bayesian statistical modeling using WinBUGS software.

Topic: Statistics, Bayesian | Skill: Intermediate | Credit Options: CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Aug 19, 2022, Aug 18, 2023

Introduction to Bayesian Hierarchical and Multi-level Models

This course will teach you how to extend the Bayesian modeling framework to cover hierarchical models and to add flexibility to standard Bayesian modeling problems.

Topic: Statistics, Bayesian, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Nov 19, 2021, Nov 18, 2022

Introduction to Network Analysis

This course will teach you a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods for describing, measuring, and analyzing social networks.

Topic: Analytics, Data Exploration | Skill: Introductory, Intermediate | Credit Options: ACE, CAP, CEU
Class Start Dates: Mar 11, 2022, Sep 9, 2022

Analysis of Survey Data from Complex Sample Designs

This course will teach you how to estimate descriptive quantities and sampling variances from complex surveys, and also how to fit linear and logistic regression models to complex sample survey data.

Topic: Statistics, Tests & Surveys | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Oct 22, 2021, Oct 21, 2022

Bootstrap Methods

This course will teach you the basic theory and application of the bootstrap family of procedures with the emphasis on applications.

Topic: Statistics, Statistical Modeling | Skill: Intermediate, Advanced | Credit Options: CEU
Class Start Dates: Sep 16, 2022, Sep 15, 2023

Course Calendar

You can get started with any of these courses:

Regression Analysis
Designing Valid Statistical Studies
Sample Size and Power Determination
Statistics 3
Survey Design and Sampling Procedures

Try it out: take one of the courses, then apply it retroactively to your certificate program after you enroll.

Regression Analysis	(4-week class)	Oct 1, 2021
Categorical Data Analysis	(4-week class)	Oct 8, 2021
Sample Size and Power Determination	(4-week class)	Oct 29, 2021
Statistics 3 - ANOVA and Regression	(3-week class)	Nov 19, 2021
Regression Analysis	(4-week class)	Jan 14, 2022
Statistics 3 - ANOVA and Regression	(3-week class)	Jan 21, 2022
Designing Valid Statistical Studies	(4-week class)	Feb 11, 2022
Statistics 3 - ANOVA and Regression	(3-week class)	Mar 18, 2022
Survey Design and Sampling Procedures	(4-week class)	Mar 18, 2022
Categorical Data Analysis	(4-week class)	Apr 1, 2022

What Our Students Say

Tuition and Fees

Our Social Science Statistics Certificate Program – the approximate equivalent of a Master’s Degree –is a fraction of the cost of what you would pay at a university. The workload is equal to 28 credits in the U. S. academic system which are transferable via the American Council on Education. Choose to pay on a subscription basis, or pay the full tuition up front, or get a discount for paying in full today. You’ll pay separately for any needed texts; cost approx. $250 total (varies depending on your rent/buy preference, and whether your chosen electives require texts).

Pay As You Go

$5,742

Pay In Advance

$5,000

Payment options

$5000 one-time fee [best value]

$290/month for 18 months [$5220]

$495 enrollment + course fees [$5750]

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there admission requirements?

You should have recently had introductory statistics, equivalent to our Statistics 1 and Statistics 2 courses. If you haven’t, or if you’d like to go over that basic material again as a refresher course, we’ll put enroll in Statistics 1 and Statistics 2 at no charge once we accept your application.

Please see our knowledge center for more information.

Can I apply courses I have already taken?

We will transfer up to three courses to your program, provided you received adequate grades on your courses.

Is there an application deadline for the certificate program?

Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis and courses begin every month.

Are the certificate programs accredited?

The Institute for Statistics Education is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

In addition, many of the courses at The Institute for Statistics Education have been recommended for credit by The American Council on Education (ACE), INFORMS, and can be used as CEUs in many programs.

The American Council on Education (ACE) approved credit for many of the required courses for our certificate programs and can be transferred to another educational institution that accepts ACE credit.

How long do I have to complete the certificate?

If you take one course at a time, most programs can be completed in 12-15 months. We know that sometimes life takes unexpected turns, so you have three (3) years to complete the certificate.

Please see our knowledge center for more information.

Visit our knowledge base and learn more.

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Additional Series Information

Organization of Program

The Certificate program includes are all standard Statistics.com courses – small classes, regular interaction with your instructor throughout the course, rapid expert feedback on your homework and projects. You can register for the courses individually, and even incorporate courses that you have recently successfully completed.

Time Requirements

There are 10 courses, each are 4 weeks long. You may build your own course calendar to meet your individual requirements. The certificate program can be completed in less than a year.

Course Fee & Information

The Social Science Statistics Certificate program offers three tuition options:

You may pay on a subscription basis, $290/month for 18 months ($5220 total).
You may pay the full fee up front ($5,000).
You may pay the $495 registration fee, then pay on a course-by-course basis (estimated total of $5,873).

Note: All tuition held on account must be used within two (2) years from date of purchase. The “course-by-course” estimate includes the registration fee, individual course fees (required: $3,313 and estimated electives:$1446) that you pay as you progress through the program, as well as various tuition savings available to you once you are a matriculated certificate candidate at the Institute. The actual total cost of the program may vary slightly depending on several factors and may differ slightly from the estimate above; fees are subject to change without prior notice.

Options for Credit and Recognition

Our Social Science Statistics Certificate program – the equivalent of a Mastery Degree – is the equal to 28 credits in the U. S. academic system which are transferable via the American Council on Education. More details on ACE and accreditation can be found here.

Miscellaneous

Visit our knowledge base to learn more about our Certificate programs.