Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Analysis Using SAS^®

The Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Analysis Using SAS® is a multidisciplinary program that fosters knowledge and programmatic skills in data management and statistical analysis using SAS software. The certificate's curriculum is designed for students with diverse career goals, but at its core, it focuses on the job role of Programmer/Analyst. A person in this role accesses and manages data, performs complex queries, and conducts and interprets statistical data analyses. Upon completion of the certificate program, students will not only earn the SAS-sponsored joint certificate from UWM, but they will also be prepared to take two globally recognized Programming Certification exams either through the SAS Institute or on-site at UWM:

• Base SAS Programming Certificate
• Advanced SAS Programming Certificate

Students are required to take a total of 18 credits towards the completion of the certificate. The andatory core courses in programming and regression analysis make up 12 credits (6 credits fixed, 6 credits flexible) and an additional 6 credits are to be taken as electives. The program’s curriculum stimulates interdisciplinary skill acquisition and research by requiring students to enroll in courses from at least two academic units. Students can choose courses from Social Work, Educational Psychology, Public Health, Business Administration and Business Management to satisfy the certificate’s credit requirements.

Post-baccalaureate students will be interested in this certificate program because it provides a valuable skill set without pursuing a full graduate degree. Graduate and post-graduate students will find this certificate program appealing as it complements many existing degree programs at UWM and should give graduates a competitive edge on the job market.

Admission Requirements

Students must have earned a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 to be able to apply for the certificate program. Students who already hold a graduate degree must have earned that degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 when applying for the certificate program.

Students have to submit an application form to the certificate program coordinator and a copy of the form must be submitted to the Graduate School, confirming a student's admission to the certificate program. Applicants must declare their intent to pursue a certificate program before completion of six credits in the certificate sequence. Students who are not pursuing a graduate degree at the time of application must file a non-degree application with Graduate Student Services using the UW System online admission application. Select "Graduate courses for personal/professional enrichment" as your reason for applying.

Acceptance into the certificate program does not guarantee admission to any other graduate programs.

Certificate Requirements – 18 credits

Core courses - Required; 6 credits

SOC WRK 791 Current Topics in Social Work: Introduction to SAS Programming (3 cr)

SOC WRK TBD Advanced SAS Programming (3 cr)

Core courses – Flexible; select at least 6 credits from the following:

SOC WRK 961 Introduction to Statistical Methods (4 cr)

SOC WRK 962 Applied Multiple Regression Analysis (3 cr)

ED PSY 724 Educational Statistics II (3cr)

ED PSY 820 Multiple Regression and other General Linear Models (3cr)

PH 702* Introduction to Biostatistics (3 cr)

PH 707* Introduction to Statistical Computing (1 cr)

BUS MGMT 709 Data Analysis for Management Applications (3 cr)

* PH 702 and PH 707 have to be taken concurrently.

Electives – Select at least 6 credits from the following:

ED PSY 825 Multivariate Methods (3 cr)

ED PSY 826 Analysis of Cross-Classified Categorical Data (3 cr)

ED PSY 832 Theory of Hierarchical Linear Modeling (3 cr)

BUS ADM 713 Business Forecasting Methods (3 cr)

BUS ADM 763 Marketing Analytics (3 cr)

Additional elective courses can be chosen with prior consent of the program committee.

A minimum cumulative 3.00 GPA in certificate courses is required for students to remain in the program.

Transfer Credit

Students are allowed up to 3 credits from an institution other than UWM to be counted towards the certificate's 18-credit requirement, subject to approval of the Certificate Committee. Transfer courses must have been completed within the last 3 years with grades of B or higher. Students must provide evidence that the transfer courses are substantially the same as the core or elective courses.

Articulation with UWM graduate degree programs

No more than 50% of the credits required for a graduate certificate may count toward meeting UWM degree requirements. Inclusion of credits and degree requirements is at the discretion of the degree granting academic unit (department, school, or college).

Time Limit

Students who pursue the Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Analysis Using SAS® will have three years from initial enrollment in a certificate course to complete the certificate requirements.

Contact

Laura Otto-Salaj, PhD
Associate Professor and Associate Director
Center for Applied Behavioral Health Research (CABHR)
Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Enderis Hall, Room 1173
Office Phone: (414) 229-3271
E-mail: lottosal@uwm.edu