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Certificate Programs

Regardless of your degree choice (PhD, MS-thesis, MS-coursework), you can gain official recognition for specializing through an certificate. These require that you take specific course or combinations, and require that you take some amount of coursework beyond the minimum required for your degree. In return, you will receive an indication of completion on your transcript and/or diploma.

Data Analytics Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics teaches students to develop new analytical methods and tools by integrating the computational, statistical, and engineering techniques that form the heart of big data analytics. It is administered by the Discovery Analytics Center and can be obtained in conjunction with either the M.S. or Ph.D. degree. For complete details, see here

Program Details

  • For Master’s, Ph.D., and non-degree-seeking students enrolled in the Virginia Tech Graduate School
  • 12 credits, including:
    • 2 core courses
    • 2 approved electives from outside of your department

Core Courses (Choose 2)

  • CS/STAT 5525 Data Analytics I
  • CS/STAT 5526 Data Analytics II
  • CS 5824/ECE 5424G: Advanced Machine Learning

Urban Computing Certificate

The graduate certificate in Urban Computing trains students in the latest methods in analyzing massive datasets to study key issues concerning urban populations. This is a specialized certificate that accompanies either the Masters or Ph.D. you will complete in your field through other coursework. It is administered by the Discovery Analytics Center and can be obtained in conjunction with either the M.S. or Ph.D. degree. Students complete 12 hours of coursework for the certificate, where at least two of the courses taken must be in addition to the student's degree program requirements. For complete details, see here.

Program Requirements

  • 12 credits, including:
    • 2 core courses
    • 2 approved electives from outside of your department

Core Courses

  • CS 5984: Introduction to Urban Computing
  • GRAD 5134: Ethics and Professionalism in Data Science

HCI Certificate

A Graduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction Program is administered by the Center for Human-Computer Interaction and offered in conjunction with either a master's or doctoral degree in most departments. The certificate administrator is Dr. Scott McCrickard. For complete details, see here.

Program Requirements

  • Master's degree students complete 9 hours and doctoral students 15 hours of coursework for the certificate; at least two of the courses taken must be outside the student's degree program requirements and home department. These courses should be relevant to HCI; those in the following list are especially recommended. If the student writes a thesis or dissertation, it must be related to human-computer interaction.
  • Students can normally fit the requirements for the certificate into their program of graduate study so that the time needed to complete the graduate degree in their basic discipline is not extended by simultaneously pursuing the certificate. Students interested in the Graduate Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction should confer with the director of the Center for Human-Computer Interaction prior to submitting a program of study to the Graduate School.

Core Courses

  • CS/ISE 5714 Usability Engineering
  • CS 5724 Models and Theories of HCI
  • CS 5734 Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
  • CS 5754 Virtual Environments
  • CS 5764 Information Visualization
  • CS 5774 User Interface Software
  • CS 6724 Advanced Topics In Human-Computer Interaction
  • CE 5064 Knowledge-based expert systems
  • EDCI 6664 Advanced Instructional Technology
  • ISE 5604 Human Information Processing
  • ISE 5605 Human Factors System Design I
  • ISE 5694 Macroergonomics
  • ISE 6604 Human Factors of Visual Display Systems
  • ISE 6614 Human Computer Systems
  • PSYCH 5354 Information Processing
  • STS 5424 Computers in Society