Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fundamentals of Survey Methodology

Joint Programs in Survey Methodology, Online are offered through the Joint Program in Survey Methodology in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Mentoring and advising are an essential part of the program. Students meet with faculty and the academic program director to ensure that educational goals and career learning and development goals are met. Students should contact Jody D. Williams, Executive Director, via email: jodywill@umd.edu.

Overview

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fundamentals of Survey Methodology, Online (Z127) has a 12-credit curriculum that provides advanced training to professionally design and execute surveys of households, business establishments, institutions, and other populations.

• Students learn the construction of questionnaires that reliably measure desired concepts, use of computer assistance in data collection, how different modes of data collection can be used to improve survey data, cognitive psychological applications to survey measurement, and methods of non‐sampling error reduction.
• Students also learn how to analyze survey data properly reflecting the complex survey design features.
• Program can be completed in twelve months of continuous part-time enrollment. See Designation of Full-time/Part-time Status.

Program Features

Plan  of study is divided into focus areas and students are required to complete a minimum number of credits in each area as follows:

• Core (7 credits)
• Recommended (2 credits)
• Electives (3 credits)

Students enroll in a combination of 1-, 2-, or 3-credit courses. For the summer term, the fall or spring semester, a 1-credit course will meet for 4 weeks; a 2-credit course will meet for 8 weeks; and a 3-credit course for 12-weeks.

Registration Overview

• See the sample plan of study, below. Students should use this as a guide to develop a plan with the academic program director. 
• Actual course offerings are determined by the program and may vary semester to semester. Students should note if a course has a pre-requisite or co-requisite. 
• Specific class meeting information (days and time) is posted on UMD’s interactive web service services, Testudo. Once on that site, select “Schedule of Classes,” then the term/year. Courses are listed by academic unit.
• The program uses specific section codes for registration, which are listed on the sample plan of study.

Sample Plan of Study

Courses

For a listing of program courses, see the Graduate School Catalog program requirements for Z127. For course descriptions that includes pre-requisites or co-requisites, see SURV.

Overall 

• Features 100% online instruction with engaging and interactive learning.
• Uses the semester academic calendar with classes held in fall and spring semester (16 weeks each),and Summer Session (two 6-week sessions).
• Instruction provided by University of Maryland faculty and professionals in the field.

Online Learning

• Using advanced audio and video technology, UMD’s online learning environment delivers dynamic and interactive content.
• Featuring convenience and flexibility, online instruction permits asynchronous or synchronous participation.
• Lectures are video archived. Recorded lecture material will be posted online at a pre-specified time each week. Students who are unable to attend in real time can review the session through asynchronous participation.
• Students are required to view the class within a set period (usually one week) and must submit regular homework assignments that will be graded by teaching assistants.
• Online discussion forums, hosted by the instructor, are used for answering questions and reviewing material presented in lectures.
• At set intervals, students meet at local access points for a long weekend of intensive instruction and hands-on project work (the minimum would be once at the beginning and once during the program). These meetings are designed to foster the creation of a learning community, and further online interactions and collaborations.

Upon successful completion, graduates will have mastered the following competencies:

• Demonstrate competence in the understanding and application of basic concepts that form the foundation of survey methods. This will include mastery of the main aspects of the survey process from sampling and questionnaire design, through data collection, analysis, and summarization.
• Analyze solutions to survey design problems in a practical setting.
• Critically examine published research to determine its strengths and weaknesses and appreciate the limitations and applicability of published findings.
• Produce written documents of a professional quality to communicate such analyses and assessments.