M.S. in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation
The Master of Science (M.S.) program in ERM provides training in the foundations of research methodology, educational measurement, and program evaluation. Students in the M.S. program receive comprehensive training through a core set of required courses, as well as hands-on, practical experience obtained through field experiences, practicums, and internships coordinated and supported by ERM’s Office of Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Services (OAERS). Students are able to tailor portions of the curriculum to meet their professional and academic goals through elective courses that allow students to gain a concentration in a particular methodological area of interest, such as program evaluation, educational measurement and assessment, or statistical modeling.
Designed For
The M.S. program is designed for people who are interested in the use of research methods and approaches in applied settings. Most of the M.S. coursework is offered during evening hours to accommodate individuals who are working during the day. This program provides fantastic training for individuals ultimately interested in doctoral training in substantive fields that employ quantitative and qualitative research methods; examples of such fields include education, psychology, the health sciences, and public policy.
Career Opportunities
The M.S. program offers the requisite training for a career providing methodological support to organizations involved in research, program evaluation, and assessment. Students completing the M.S. program have a range of career options in the areas of research study design, data collection and analysis, program evaluation, and assessment. Students graduating from the M.S. program are employed in a variety of professional settings, including state boards of education, assessment and testing organizations, organizations conducting research, organizations conducting program evaluations, school districts, and other organizations that make data-driven decisions.
Program of Study
Total hours: 33
Required Core Courses: 21 Hours
- ERM 600: Validity and Validation
- ERM 604: Methods of Educational Research
- ERM 642: Evaluation of Educational Programs
- ERM 650: Foundations of Qualitative Research Methods
- ERM 667: Foundations of Educational Measurement Theory
- ERM 680: Intermediate Statistical Methods in Education
- ERM 681: Design and Analysis of Educational Experiments
Additional Required Core for the Measurement and Quantitative Methods Concentration: 6 Hours
- ERM 669: Item Response Theory
- ERM 682: Multivariate Analysis
Additional Required Core for the Program Evaluation Concentration: 6 Hours
- ERM 643: Applied Educational Evaluation
- ERM 645: Culturally Responsive Approaches to Research and Evaluation
Electives: 6 Hours
Students must complete a combination of 6 hours in elective courses at the 600 or higher level. Electives may be any ERM courses not included in the required core or non-ERM courses with the approval of the major advisor.
Comprehensive Examination (Capstone Experience):
The student will successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to be arranged by the major advisor, usually in the semester in which course work is completed.
Program Description
There are two concentrations available for this degree:
- Measurement and Quantitative Methods
- Program Evaluation
Students will choose to officially pursue only one of these degree concentrations. In addition to the required core courses of the program, students will complete the additional required core for their chosen concentration based on professional and academic goals. Students may take courses from both cores, but double-concentrations are not recognized at this time. Students who complete both core concentrations will need to choose which concentration appears on their official transcript.
