Graduate Scholars' Certificate

The transition from undergraduate to graduate level work can sometimes seem daunting, especially when it comes to learning the skills and ethical considerations associated with academic research and publication.  USU is working to help smooth the transition by providing all new graduate students with the Graduate Scholars Certification Program.

The program, offered by the USU School of Graduate Studies in conjunction with the Office of Compliance Assistance, is designed to introduce all graduate students to key topics in scholarly research and publication.  The program focuses on the responsible conduct of research, resolving ethical dilemmas, and proposal and grant management skills.  

The program is especially designed to help individuals establish careers in scholarly research–whether in the academy, government or industry.  Doctoral students are particularly encouraged to complete the Graduate Scholars Certification prior to being advanced to candidacy, but every graduate student will benefit from participation in the program.

Students working for the certificate will need to complete on-line training modules and attend the Graduate Scholars Orientation and the two Scholars’ Forums held during the year.  Detailed requirements are included below:

 

1)      ONLINE TRAINING. Students must complete on-line training in several topics, provided by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).  For information concerning registration for this free online training, visit the Office of Compliance Assistance web page at http://compliance.usu.edu/htm/certificate/citi.  The following course plan should be followed:

a)      Before the Graduate Scholars Orientation

  • The CITI Course in Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research
  • PLUS four additional topics as indicated at USU’s CITI introductory module

b)      Before the Fall Graduate Scholars’ Forum

  • Data Acquisition and Management Module

c)      Before the Spring Graduate Scholar’s Forum

  • Responsible Authorship and Publication
  • Responsible Peer Review Module

d)      Prior to advancement to candidacy

  • Human Research Participants
  • Animal Care and Use
  • Completion of RCR Training 

 

2)      GRADUATE SCHOLARS ORIENTATION.  Students in the Graduate Scholars Certification Program must attend one orientation session.  The main orientation sessions will be held on August 20, 2009, from 2:30–5:30 pm (immediately following the School of Graduate Studies Orientation) and on August 21, 2009, from 1:00–4:00 pm. Students receiving NSF funding are REQUIRED to receive RCR training, and completion of this program will fulfill that requirement. An agenda of the event can be found here. Students should RSVP online.

 

 3)      GRADUATE SCHOLARS’ FORUMS. Students in the program must attend the two
        Graduate Scholars’ Forums offered during the year (dates to be determined):  

Fall Forum                  Data Acquisition and Management
Spring Forum             Publication and Authorship 

 

We strongly encourage completion of the Graduate Certificate during the first year of study.  The Certificate is an indication to the institution and to the science community that its recipient is aware of and dedicated to the responsible conduct of research.

 

For information concerning this program, please contact Russ Price, Federal Compliance Manager, at russprice@usu.edu, or (435)797-8305.