Goals of the Program
The objective of the certificate is twofold:
- To put certificate students on a solid foundation in terms of the theoretical training required to perform advanced empirical work. We have two theoretical classes which students will be required to take to accomplish this.
- To give students hands-on experience when it comes to working with data and equip them to do so with training that involves the most widely used statistical packages in the discipline — STATA and R.
Certificate Requirements
The Graduate Certificate in Econometrics and Data Analysis consists of three required courses and one elective course. The curriculum is designed to allow students to complete the certificate in one academic year.
Required Prerequisite Courses (SEE PSU BULLETIN ONLINE FOR COURSE DESCRIPTIONS)
- EC 311 or 415 Intermediate Micro
- MTH 254 Calculus IV
- MTH 261 Linear Algebra
- STAT 452 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II
- EC 469 Intro to Econometrics
Required econometrics core sequence (three courses):
- EC 570 Econometrics — offered fall term
- EC 571 Advanced Econometrics — offered winter term
- EC 576 Applied Econometrics with STATA and R — offered spring term
Elective Course
Any graduate course numbered EC 511 and above may satisfy the elective requirement. Elective courses should be selected in consultation with Professor Riju Joshi as advance approval may be required.
Applying to the Certificate Program
For Current PSU students
Currently enrolled graduate students at PSU can add the certificate to their master’s or doctoral degree program by submitting a GO-19 form. Courses in the certificate program can often double as course requirements for graduate degree programs. You must be in good academic standing to add the certificate to your degree program.
For Professionals and Post-Baccalaureate students
Professionals and post-baccalaureate students currently not enrolled at PSU may enroll solely in the certificate. Apply for the certificate program online at the Graduate School's Apply webpage. Relevant courses taken at PSU prior to acceptance into the certificate program apply toward the certificate requirements.
You will be asked for the following information:
- Name, contact information, and some personal details.
- Transcript(s) and Degree Information: The Graduate School requires copies of transcripts only for schools where a bachelor’s degree was awarded and/or graduate-level coursework was completed. Please note that you will need to provide Official Transcripts if you are admitted to the certificate. For further details regarding graduate admissions, please visit the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Emails for three professional letters of recommendation (a request for a recommendation letter will be automatically sent to the emails you provide)
- Resume/CV
Admissions Deadlines
The Graduate Certificate in Econometrics and Data Analysis students can join the program in Fall or Spring terms. The Department of Economics follows a rolling admission policy for all submitted applications, regardless of when they are submitted. However, the following deadlines are recommended to ensure students can start in the designated term.
- Fall or Summer admission: September 10 if applicant is lacking prerequisites
- Winter admission: no applications are accepted for winter term
- Spring admission: February 10 if applicant has all prerequisites
We currently do not offer funding for certificate-only students. If you are a current student at PSU with a Graduate Assistantship, your funding may allow you to take the courses necessary for the Graduate Certificate in Econometrics and Data Analysis. Please check with the Program Director for your main graduate program to verify if this is possible.
Questions about the Graduate Certificate in Econometrics and Data Analysis? Contact: