Qualitative Programs of Study
Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research
The Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research is a 15-credit course sequence that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, and field-based experience. Students who complete the certificate will have developed the methodological expertise and background necessary to be recognized as an emerging scholar in the field of qualitative inquiry. Though this certificate is housed in the College of Education, students from all disciplines are welcome to apply. Once students are admitted to the program, they are assigned a qualitative faculty advisor to provide support in course planning and otherwise assist them in meeting the requirements for the program.
For complete details about the this program, visit The College of Education Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research page.
How to Apply
- Apply through the Graduate School’s On-line Application Center (Certificates- Graduate Non-Degree Certificates)
- Select the Qualitative Research Certificate Program when applying
- After submitting your application, please email your Statement of Purpose and a Writing Sample to Lindsey Orr (Lgorr1@ua.edu).
- A requirement for applying for the Qualitative Research Certificate is a Statement of Purpose. This statement should address the following, though you are not limited only to these questions:
- Why are you interested in earning the Qualitative Research Certificate?
- How does qualitative research align with your current research interests?
- What does qualitative research mean to you in relation to your research?
- Optional but encouraged: How do you understand, or how would you describe, yourself methodologically?
- A Writing Sample is the second requirement. This sample can be a course paper or published manuscript that demonstrates your abilities as a writer and scholar. Further, the paper should have some connection to methodology. If you submit a paper that was used for a course, please provide a brief (2-3 sentence) description of the assignment on the cover page as well as the title of the course for which it was submitted.
- A requirement for applying for the Qualitative Research Certificate is a Statement of Purpose. This statement should address the following, though you are not limited only to these questions:
- Deadlines: Applications will be considered once per academic semester. Please note the following annual application deadlines and plan accordingly.
- January 15th
- May 15th
- September 15th
Qualitative Certificate Requirements
- BER 631 Inquiry as Interpretation: Qualitative Research I
- BER 632 Reflexivity & Resistance in Research (Re)Presentations: Qualitative Research II
- BER 633 Ethics & Aesthetics: Qualitative Research III
- BER 687 Field Experience
- 6 Hours of other BER qualitative courses (e.g., BER 630 Case Study, BER 634 Narrative Inquiry, BER 690 Readings in Educational Research, BER 695 Special Topics)
- Capstone Presentation
Certificate Student Resources
- Certificate Course Planning Worksheet
- Please visit the Courses page to see our Qualitative Inquiry course offerings
Ph.D. in Educational Research
The University of Alabama offers a Ph.D. in Educational Research. This program consists of 18 hours of core courses and a minimum of 12 hours in a specialization. A specialization could be qualitative methods, program evaluation, assessment/measurement or quantitative methods. The doctoral program also requires a minimum of 12 hours of foundations courses. A minimum of 48 is required by the Graduate School of which only six may be transferred in from another university. An additional 24 hours of dissertation research is required. For complete details about the doctoral program, visit The College of Education Educational Research page.
Ph.D. Admissions Requirements
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission, an application must include:
- 1-3 letters of recommendation consistent with goals of the program (letter of recommendation template)
- GRE score of 300 or above
Ph.D. Core Course Requirements
- BER 540 Statistical Methods in Education
- BER 558/657 Introduction to Psychometrics
- BER 600 Quantitative Research
- BER 631 Inquiry as Interpretation: Qualitative Research I
- BER 660 Introduction to Program Evaluation
Plus, 6 hours of either:
- BER 687 Field Work in Educational Research or
- BER 689 Practicum in Educational Research
Other required courses include 18 hours within a research specialization area (qualitative methods, program evaluation, assessment/measurement or quantitative methods) and 12 hours within foundations courses (BEF/BEP or any non-research courses outside of the department).
Ph.D. Requirements
1. Obtain a grade of A or B in each of the core courses in Educational Research
2. Plan Ph.D. program with student’s advisor. Copy of Program of Study will be given to the Program Chair.
3. Successfully complete Practica Experiences
4. Perform in a professional manner in practicum and/or internships
5. Pass Preliminary Review and Evaluation
6. Pass written and oral comprehensive examinations
7. Pass oral defense of dissertation proposal; be admitted into Ph.D. candidacy
8. Complete dissertation
9. Successfully defend the dissertation
Ph.D. Student Resources
Interested in learning more about the Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research or our PhD in Educational Research programs?
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