IR Graduate Certificate Program

Institutional Research (IR) is a type of work completed in colleges and universities that is used to support decision-making and planning. IR involves a number of functional areas in higher education such as enrollment reporting, enrollment projections, retention, graduation, time-to-degree, student learning, student engagement, student satisfaction, instructional cost and productivity, faculty compensation, faculty and staff job satisfaction, faculty and staff turnover, campus climate, athletics, development, and space utilization. Institutional researchers typically initiate and evaluate a variety of surveys as well as analyze data from student, human resources, and financial information systems. IR supports institutional and unit strategic planning, budgeting, accreditation, program review, and accountability efforts. Successful institutional researchers must not only have excellent technical and analytical skills, but also knowledge of higher education management topics and a deep understanding of their institutions. IR is a dynamic and fast-paced field with strong demand for skilled professionals.

Program Benefits

• You will be prepared for entry-level employment in institutional research. A listing of current IR job postings is available from the Association for Institutional Research. (You can also check out the variety of jobs currently held by program alumni.) 
• You will learn from an internationally-recognized IR leader who is a past president of the Association for Institutional Research.
• You can take classes toward completion of the program while enrolled in other Ball State graduate degree programs, and you will be able to use several courses from those programs to fulfill the requirements of this certificate program. (A link to the list of courses is included below.)
  

Mode of Delivery  
This program is offered face-to-face on the Muncie campus.

IR Certificate Program Director 
William E. Knight, PhD
Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness
Office of Institutional Effectiveness

Take the Next Step
Learn more about the admission requirements, how to apply, and the courses you will take.
See also the program brochure, ID 602 course syllabus, and ID 602 assignment instructions. 
Be sure to check out gainful employment information about the program as required by the Higher Education Opportunity Act.