Ph.D. in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation
The Doctoral (Ph.D.) program aims to develop students into expert methodologists who are appropriately prepared to pursue influential careers in the fields of research methodology, educational measurement, and program evaluation. To this end, the training offered by the Ph.D. program has the joint focus of providing students with a comprehensive training across the major domains of research methodology, while also having students gain extensive knowledge in one or more areas of concentration that align with the student’s professional and intellectual interests.
In ERM, areas of concentration typically correspond to one of three broad methodological fields:
- Educational Measurement and Psychometrics
- Program Evaluation Methods
- Statistical Modeling
Designed For
The Ph.D. program is intended for students who are interested in becoming an expert in research methodology, the measurement sciences, or program evaluation. Individuals applying to the Ph.D. program are assumed to have previous foundational training in quantitative methodology and/or evaluation, such as a master’s degree in a related field (methodology, measurement, evaluation, statistics, or mathematics) or other graduate training that aligns with the training provided by the ERM M.S. degree. Those who are interested in pursuing the Ph.D. in ERM, but have not completed the necessary graduate training in quantitative methodology and/or evaluation, are encouraged to apply to the joint M.S./Ph.D. program.
Career Opportunities
The Ph.D. program is intended for students who are interested in becoming an expert in research methodology, the measurement sciences, or program evaluation.
Program of Study
Total hours: 60
Required Core courses: 18 Hours
- ERM 600: Validity and Validation
- ERM 642: Evaluation of Educational Programs
- ERM 650: Foundations of Qualitative Research Methods
- ERM 667: Foundations of Educational Measurement Theory
- ERM 668: Survey Research in Education
- ERM 681: Design and Analysis of Educational Experiments
Additional Required Core for the Measurement and Quantitative Methods Concentration: 12 Hours
- ERM 633: Language Assessment and Testing
- ERM 669: Item Response Theory
- ERM 682: Multivariate Analysis
- ERM 685: R for Education and Social Science
Additional Required Core for the Program Evaluation Concentration: 12 Hours
- ERM 643: Applied Educational Evaluation
- ERM 645: Culturally Responsive Approaches to Research and Evaluation
- ERM 743: Advanced Evaluation Theory
- ERM 744: Policy in Evaluation
Electives:
Students must complete a combination of 18 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. At least 9 hours must be ERM courses.
Comprehensive Examination:
The student will successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to be arranged by the doctoral advisor, usually attempted in the semester in which course work is completed.
Dissertation: 12 Hours
Research that culminates in the preparation of a required doctoral dissertation. 12 hours of ERM 799 Dissertation are required. Additional hours following the 12 required hours may be taken as ERM 802 Dissertation Extension.
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.
