Pennsylvania State University offers courses in institutional research leading to a certificate and provides students with the skills that support institutional planning and policy formation. The program provides considerable flexibility in the choice of courses as well as in the time taken to complete the certificate program. We also welcome students seeking to upgrade their skills without wishing to complete the certificate. Learn more about this program.

The following courses will run from September 13th to December 17th in the fall of 2010:

Introduction to Institutional Research (3 credits)
Instructor: J. Fredericks Volkwein

This course provides students with an overview of the institutional research profession and the most common functions that institutional research offices carry out. Students will gain a fuller understanding of campus decision support activities and processes such as strategic planning, compliance reporting, enrollment management, resource management, institutional effectiveness, student outcomes assessment, and program evaluation. During this course, the classroom and work experiences are aimed at understanding the readings, obtaining hands-on experience in analyzing data, and developing reporting skills for the purposes of institutional research.

Planning and Resource Management in Higher Education (3 credits)
Instructor: Linda Strauss

This course provides students with a working knowledge of strategic planning models and budgeting structures and processes. Students will develop tools and skills in environmental scanning, revenue forecasting, expenditure controls, and benchmarking. During this course, the online learning experiences are aimed at applying the readings, obtaining hands-on experience in analyzing data, and developing reporting skills.

Questions regarding the program can be directed to:

John Cheslock
Director, Certificate in Institutional Research
Pennsylvania State University
jjc36@psu.edu