The graduate certificate in qualitative research methods in education is an interdepartmental program of study that is administered by faculty within the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling. The certificate is intended for currently admitted University of Tennessee doctoral students (or individuals who have already earned a doctoral degree) wishing to develop their skills in conducting qualitative research studies.

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Graduate Certificate Type

Stand-Alone (earned doctoral degree required)

Add-On (doctoral candidate)

Admissions Standards/Procedures

Individuals must be currently enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Tennessee or have earned a doctoral degree from UT or another university.

Academic Standards

Attainment of a minimum 3.5 grade point average in the certificate coursework.

Credit Hours Required

15 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• EDPY 559  
• EDPY 659  
• At least three upper-level qualitative courses such as:
  • ANTH 531  
  • CCI 643  
  • CFS 650  
  • CSE 526  
  • EDPY 631  
  • ELPS 617  
  • ELPS 618  
  • GEOG 516  
  • LEES 659  
  • NURS 607  
  • SOCI 640  

Additional Course Requirements

• Other courses may, where appropriate, be substituted for the courses listed above with the written permission of the certificate coordinator.

Non-Course Requirements

• Individuals must submit an appropriate work sample (e.g., completed qualitative research report, completed qualitative research paper) that showcases their skills in qualitative research methods in education. This work sample will be reviewed by the Evaluation, Statistics, and Measurement (ESM) faculty.
• All courses must be completed within five years of admission to the certificate program.
• Contact the ESM Qualitative Research Certificate Coordinator, Dr. Mitsunori Misawa for questions.