Doctoral Certificate Programs

Certificate in Advanced Quantitative Methods

Advanced Quantitative Methods (AQM) is offered by the Committee on Quantitative Methods in Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, a University-wide interdisciplinary group of distinguished scholars from the Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and the Harris School of Public Policy. Its faculty are committed to improving methodological research and training in bio statistics, econometrics, psychometrics, and social statistics and in cross-cutting fields including formal modeling, survey methodology, and computational strategies, with the goal of advancing applied research of individuals, populations, and societies. Eligibility is limited to students who are currently enrolled full time in a doctoral degree program at the University of Chicago. Students may apply to the certificate program at any stage of the doctoral study. 

Certificate in Computational Social Science

All graduate students in degree-granting programs at the University of Chicago can earn a Certificate in Computational Social Science that will appear on their transcript. To do so, they must complete:

• Perspectives on Computational Analysis
• Perspectives on Computational Modeling
• Computing for the Social Sciences (or another programming course based in Python or R)
• An additional elective in computational social science (e.g. any other course with a MACS course listing)

These course requirements can be met in a single year or over several years of study.

Certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies

The Certificate in Gender and Sexuality Studies is open to any University of Chicago doctoral student, MAPSS student or Masters student in the Divinity School, who has completed the following requirements:

• A graduate-level foundation course in gender and sexuality theory. The following courses will automatically be approved in 2019-20. Equivalent substitutes may be granted and should be requested prior to taking the course.
  • GNSE 41500 - Bodies of Transformation (Autumn 2019)
  • GNSE 44905 - Feminism and the Radical Democratic Imaginary: Futures Past (Autumn 2019)
  • GNSE 31400 - Advanced Theories of Gender and Sexuality (Winter 2020)
  • GNSE 31562 - Third World Women’s Writings (Winter 2020)
  • GNSE 32103 - Feminism and Anthropology (Winter 2020)
  • GNSE 36885 - Queer Theory (Winter 2020)
  • GNSE 42911 - Gender and Sexuality in South Asian Religions (Winter 2020)
  • GNSE 44906 - Feminism and the Radical Democratic Imaginary, Part II (Winter 2020)
  • GNSE 45112 - Anthropology of the Body (Winter 2020)
  • GNSE 51000 - Narrative in Crip and Queer Times (Spring 2020)
  • GNSE 33501 - Gender, Sex, and Empire (Spring 2020) 
  • GNSE 35550 - Feminist and Queer Literary Criticism (Spring 2020)
• At least three additional courses in gender and sexuality studies. These may be cross-listed courses or equivalent non-cross listed courses approved by the graduate chair.
• A major research paper with a substantial gender/sexuality component.
• Participation in the Gender & Sexualities Studies Workshop.

All four courses must be taken for a “quality grade,” i.e., not an R or a P. Students wishing to receive the certificate should submit evidence of having fulfilled the requirements for approval to the Student Affairs Administrator, Bonnie Kanter.

Certificate in Human Rights Studies

The Graduate Certificate in Human Rights Studies allows doctoral students to enrich their disciplinary training through sustained interdisciplinary coursework in human rights and participation in the intellectual life of the Pozen Family Center for Human Rights.

Completion of the certificate will be formally noted by the Registrar on graduate transcripts, offering students an additional credential to advance their professional careers. The Pozen Center will award the certificate to doctoral students in the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Chicago who complete the following requirements:

• A graduate level foundation course in human rights.
• At least two additional courses in human rights studies. These could be cross-listed courses or equivalent non-cross-listed courses approved by the Pozen Center Faculty Director.
• A major research paper with a substantial human rights component.
• Active participation in the intellectual life of the Pozen Center.

For more information, contact Mark Bradley, Pozen Center Faculty Director

Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Students who wish to apply for the Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) certificate must be enrolled in a University of Chicago doctoral program and complete the following:

• Demonstration of language proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, or relevant indigenous language of Latin America through one of the following mechanisms: graduate reading examination or translation examination; completion of second year language sequence; approved FLAS summer language study at the intermediate level; or proof of native or bilingual language skills
• At least 4 courses in Latin American Studies (cross-listed LACS courses or equivalent non-cross listed courses approved by CLAS). Courses must be taken for a quality grade (not an “R” or a “P”)
• A dissertation project on a theme or topic related to Latin America
• At least one year of active participation in the Latin American History Workshop or the Workshop on Latin America and the Caribbean (including presentation/hosting at least one workshop OR coordination for a year). Participation in another workshop with relevant subject matter will be considered on a case-by-case basis.