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MCAP Interdisciplinary Methods Certificate

About the Certificate

The advanced methods training provided through the MCAP graduate certificate will combine formal and informal training with experiential learning in order to promote the rigorous, multimethod investigation of pressing theoretical questions in the behavioral, health, and social sciences. This is achieved by incorporating diverse qualitative and quantitative methods and immersion in interdisciplinary environments.

This certificate will train the next generation of scholars to respond to novel challenges in the behavioral, health, and social sciences with the methodological rigor and multidisciplinary view needed to lead groundbreaking scientific endeavors. The interdisciplinary nature of this certificate will facilitate collaborations among diverse sets of instructors and students.

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Advanced Methods

The MCAP graduate certificate is the only interdisciplinary training program available for graduate students seeking to develop advanced methodological skills that cover the wide breadth of methods used in the behavioral, health, and social sciences.

The Advanced Methods in the Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences Certificate is an exciting opportunity to develop and practice real skills in interdisciplinary methods. Students will gain state-of-the-art data analysis skills in the social, behavioral, and health sciences, as well as practical experience in consulting on and teaching research design and analysis.

The certificate is administered through the Methodology Center at Purdue (MCAP). For complete program information, visit the official MCAP Graduate Certificate website .

Admission Criteria

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Conditional admission may be possible for applicants who do not meet this requirement.
  • Current graduate students must be enrolled at Purdue University's West Lafayette campus. Postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and staff at Purdue's West Lafayette campus are also welcome to complete the certificate.
  • All applicants must have completed a foundational research methods course before enrolling in the certificate.
  • Applicants who are not currently enrolled in a Purdue graduate program must provide proof of English language proficiency when required. Current Purdue graduate students who are international students and whose native language is not English do not need to retake an English proficiency test.

Prerequisite Coursework

Students must complete a foundational research methods course before beginning the certificate. Approved prerequisites include:

  • COM 582 – Descriptive/Experimental Research in Communication
  • PSY 688 – Research Methods
  • SOC 580 – Methods for Social Research
  • POL 600 – Political Science: Discipline and Profession
  • HDFS 607 / COM 682 / NUR 605 – MCAP Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Methods (course numbers vary by fall semester)

Students are also encouraged to complete a course in linear regression and/or analysis of variance (ANOVA) before enrolling. These subjects are prerequisites for many advanced quantitative methods courses. Examples include HDFS 613, HDFS 617, POL 501, PSY 606, PSY 631, SOC 680, and STAT 512.

Admission Process

Applicants must complete the Purdue Graduate School application and submit the required supporting materials.

  1. Complete the online application. Apply through the Purdue Graduate School application portal .
  2. Select the certificate program. In the application, select:
    • Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
    • Graduate Major and Degree Objective: Interdisciplinary Advanced Methodologies of the Health and Social Sciences
    • Primary Course Delivery Method: Residential
  3. Complete the background section. Indicate that you are a current or past Purdue student, as applicable.
  4. Provide your Purdue academic record. Submit a current Purdue transcript or authorize Purdue faculty and staff to access your academic record for university business through the appropriate application consent question.
  5. Submit the statement of purpose. Complete the MCAP application form and submit it with your application as the statement of purpose. See the MCAP website for the application form and instructions.
  6. Submit Form 18, if applicable. Current Purdue graduate students must submit a completed G.S. Form 18 (Dual Graduate Program Request), signed by the applicant and the head of their home graduate program. List the proposed department as Methodology Center at Purdue, the major code as MCAP, and the degree code as IMHS. Email the completed form to mcap@purdue.edu with the subject line "IMHS Certificate Application."

Course Requirements

Students must complete at least four approved advanced research methods courses totaling a minimum of 12 credit hours.

  • Courses must come from at least two different academic departments.
  • At least one course must focus on quantitative methods and at least one must focus on qualitative methods.
  • Students must earn a minimum grade of B in each of the four advanced methods courses and in the foundational prerequisite course.
  • Three shorter modular courses may count as one of the four required courses.
  • Students may specialize in quantitative or qualitative methods, but specialization is optional.
  • Up to 12 credit hours completed before admission to the certificate may count toward completion, subject to program requirements.
  • A maximum of three credits may be transferred from another institution with approval from the MCAP steering committee.

Political Science Course Options

The following Political Science courses appear on the current MCAP approved course list:

  • POL 605 – Political Methodology II
  • POL 606 – Variable Topics (including models for categorical and limited dependent variables, experimental methods, and scaling)
  • POL 608 – Field Research Methods (may count as quantitative or qualitative)
  • POL 608 – Qualitative Methods
  • POL 693 – Modeling Complex Systems

Course availability and topics may vary. Other courses from participating departments may qualify with approval from MCAP. Review the complete approved course list for current offerings and additional course options.

Workshops

Students must attend at least three MCAP workshops. These workshops provide supplemental training in advanced methodological and statistical topics, including qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Work-in-Progress Talks

Students must attend at least four work-in-progress talks. These presentations provide opportunities to discuss ongoing research, receive feedback, and learn about methodological approaches used by researchers across disciplines.

Capstone Experience

Students must complete a capstone experience in research methods. The project should provide hands-on experience in applying, teaching, or communicating methodological tools and concepts.

Students must determine their capstone in advance in consultation with their major professor and the MCAP steering committee. Pre-approval is strongly encouraged to ensure the proposed experience meets the certificate requirements.

Examples of possible capstone experiences include:

  • Developing or leading a workshop on an advanced research method.
  • Serving as a teaching assistant for a graduate-level methods course.
  • Providing methodological expertise for a research project.
  • Writing a journal article-length paper focused on research methods.

Application Fees

  • Domestic students: $60
  • International students: $75

The application fee is payable when submitting the Purdue Graduate School application.

Application Deadlines

  • August 1: Deadline for fall admission and for qualification for a December certificate.
  • December 1: Deadline for spring admission and for qualification for a May certificate.

Students may apply after completing the prerequisite coursework. Applications may be submitted before, during, or after completion of the remaining certificate requirements. Students are encouraged to apply early to take advantage of workshops, research presentations, and other program activities.

 

Questions?

Contact the MCAP program at mcap@purdue.edu or the Graduate Coordinator at polgradcoordinator@purdue.edu.