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College of Business
Copeland Hall
1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701-2979

Consumer Research Certificate

Develop research skills through in-depth experiential learning courses focused on live-client consumer research projects

Students sit around a table during a presentation, smiling at the camera

Apply for Certificate Program

The Consumer Research Certificate allows students interested in consumer or marketing research career paths to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences needed for entry-level jobs. The Consumer Research Certificate provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to develop research skills through in-depth experiential learning courses focused on live-client consumer research projects.

Students who earn a consumer research certificate will be positioned for entry-level positions as market research analysts. Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service; they help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.

“The Center for Consumer Research and Analytics (CRA) enabled me to explore the world of consumer insights in a way that has been vital to early success in my career. Working directly with major corporations to build and execute custom consumer research projects was a key differentiator for me during my career search. Through the CRA, I learned research methods used by experts in the industry, sharpened my critical thinking and collaboration skills, and most notably, got a true taste for real business consulting outside of the college’s cluster simulations. I would absolutely not be where I am today without the CRA." —Cole Decker '16

Courses in Consumer Research Certificate

Core Courses (15 credit hours)

All students complete the following five courses:

  • QBA 2720 — Business Analytics; Credit Hours: 3
  • MKT 3440 — Consumer Research; Credit Hours: 3
  • MKT 3790 — Marketing Research; Credit Hours: 3
  • MKT 4440 — Consumer Behavior; Credit Hours: 3
  • MKT 4940 — Independent Research; Credit Hours: 3

Cross Disciplinary Course (3 credit hours)

Complete one of the following courses:

  • AAS 4300 — Social Theory, Research and Methodology in African American Studies; Credit Hours: 3
  • ANTH 3010 — Visual Anthropology; Credit Hours: 3
  • ANTH 3500 — Economic Anthropology; Credit Hours: 3
  • ANTH 4560 — Ethnographic Methods; Credit Hours: 3
  • COMS 3420 — Qualitative Inquiry in Communication; Credit Hours: 3
  • COMS 3620 — Rhetorical Inquiry and Criticism; Credit Hours: 3
  • PSY 2120 — Research Methods in Psychology; Credit Hours: 3
  • PSY 3120 — Tests and Measurements; Credit Hours: 3
  • PSY 3330 — Human Judgment and Decision Making; Credit Hours: 3
  • VICO 3010 — Communicating with Data Visualization; Credit Hours: 3

Five core courses (15 hours) + one elective courses (3 hours) = consumer research certificate

Admissions Requirements
  • Submit online application form
  • Submit materials which include (1) a copy of your most recent DARS to verify your 3.0 or higher GPA, and (2) a copy of your resume to demonstrates potential for success in the program.
  • Completion of an interview may also be required

Contact Us

For more information about the Consumer Research Certificate, contact Jacob Hiler.