Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

Attendance is required as the course will not be recorded.

This short course will introduce you to the major ideas behind structural equation modeling (SEM) and equip you with the knowledge necessary to get started on your own analysis using this method. SEM is a valuable tool beyond traditional regression models due to its flexibility, as it allows researchers to test more complex relationships among variables and to account for measurement error in analysis.

This course will cover the basics of:
• Confirmatory factor analysis
• Path analysis
• Structural equation models with latent variables
• Evaluating indirect relationships between variables
• Using fit statistics to test competing hypotheses
Examples and exercises will use the R package lavaan, but content from this course will be directly applicable to other programs that estimate structural equation models, such as Mplus and Stata.

Participants should be familiar with regression modeling before taking this course. Experience using R will be helpful but is not required.

Instructor: Micah Nelson

Micah Nelson is a PhD candidate in Sociology at UNC – Chapel Hill. His methodological expertise is in causal inference using observational data and structural equation modeling. His dissertation research applies these methods to understand how social policies and political institutions influence population health.

Registration fees:

• UNC Chapel Hill Students: $0, with a $35 deposit to hold your spot (deposit is refundable upon your attendance for at least 66% of the course)
• UNC Chapel Hill Faculty/Staff/Postdoc/Resident/Visiting Scholars: $80
• University (Non UNC Chapel Hill) Student/Employee (must have active university email): $105
• Government/Non-Profit/Corporate: $130

Additional course information:

• Cancellation/ Refund Policy: A full refund will be given to those who cancel their registration no later than 10 days prior to the course. If you cancel within the 10 days prior to the class, no refund will be given. Please allow 30 days to receive your refund.
• Zoom link for those attending online will be sent prior to the course. Registration must be made at least 1 day prior to the course date to receive the Zoom link.

For questions regarding this class, please contact Jill Stevens at jill_stevens@unc.edu