Certificate Program
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TADA Certificate Overview
TADA at Emory University started in 2020 as a NIH-funded T32 training program for predoctoral fellows to bridge the gap between social and behavioral sciences and advanced data science. To expand this opportunity to all interested doctoral students at the Laney Graduate School, the TADA certificate program was launched in 2022.
The certificate program includes the courses and several professional development activities offered in the fellowship program. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the program no later than their second year of studies. The requirements can be completed over the course of the PhD candidacy, but the program can be completed within two years. Note that TADA does not cover tuition or training costs for certificate students.
Certificate Eligibility
Who Is Eligible for the Certificate?
The TADA Certificate is open to PhD students in good standing from any Emory department or degree program. There is no citizenship requirement.
Students must:
- Demonstrate interest in learning and applying advanced data analytics to end drug-related harms
- Be prepared to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and learn multiple software packages to analyze large datasets.
At least one dissertation aim must focus on big data science, and one (or the same) aim on a drug-related topic.
Certificate Requirements
Certificate Requirements
Go to the TADA Courses Page to see the full list of required coursework.
At the start of the dissertation phase, certificate students are required to set academic and professional goals for their fellowship training, including one dissertation aim focused on advanced data science and one (or the same) aim on a drug-related topic.
The individual development plan (IDP) helps students chart goals and successes in the TADA program and assists with timely progress. Students will meet individually with TADA leadership to review the IDP every six months until dissertation completion.
Certificate students may request to be connected to mentors through TADA faculty network, though any GRA positions that they do with that mentor would not be funded through TADA.
These should be completed within the first year of certificate declaration with Dawn Comeau, PhD, director of mentor/mentee training for TADA.
At least one aim must focus on big data science, and one aim on a drug-related topic. All trainees must submit their dissertation to the TADA directors when they deposit it with LGS.
Certificate Application
Ready to Apply?
You are encouraged to apply for the certificate program as soon as possible in your PhD candidacy to begin to complete TADA requirements, some of which may overlap with program electives.
Once accepted, graduate certificate students must file the LGS Certification Declaration Signature Form by the LGS-set deadline. Note that this form requires you to obtain a signature from one of the directors of the certificate. Complete and submit the LGS student action online form and upload the signed signature form.
Prior to graduation, the student must notify the Graduate Program Coordinator of their intent to graduate. At that time, complete and submit the LGS Certificate Clearance Form. Certificates are awarded simultaneously with the student’s degree.