2023 Best Master’s in Assessment and Measurement Programs

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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a master’s degree in assessment and measurement, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best master’s in assessment and measurement programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

  1. University of California, Berkeley, CA

Serving 37,500 learners and offering hundreds of majors, the University of California – Berkeley has something for everyone. Berkeley has an MA degree in social research methodology.   Graduates will be prepared to shape educational policy, school coursework, and teacher practices to increase learner outcomes.  Admission to the degree program requires a minimum GPA, a statement of purpose, individual history essay, three letters of recommendation, and GRE taken no later than a month before the application deadline.

  1. University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL

The University of Illinois grants admission to over 40,000 learners. The university has various degrees in interpretive, statistical, measurement, and evaluative methodologies for education, referred to as “Queries.”  The Queries degree program centers on four concentrations; faculty and learners are concerned with developing and applying new methodologies and becoming involved with research activities within the department and the college as well as across the broader campus. Upon graduation, learners find positions in the public and private sector, including positions as measurement analysts, testing and evaluation directors, statistical specialists, and university faculty. Queries offer a master of science (MS) and a doctor of philosophy (PhD) through the Department of Educational Psychology.

  1. University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

With over 31,000 learners, the University of Iowa is one of the nation’s top public research institutions. The university has an MA in educational measurement and statistics will certify learners to teach at the institution level, examine and interpret quantitative data, and independently carry out research. This degree requires 32 hours and is offered with or without a thesis; a thesis is recommended for people intending to move into a PhD degree program in the field. Admission prerequisites consist of a bachelor’s degree, a minimum GPA of 3.00, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores.

  1. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

OSU has an MA degree in educational studies, quantitative research, evaluation, and measurement (QREM).  The degree program is suited for people with analytical backgrounds, though anyone with a bachelor’s degree can apply. The QREM degree program has a 34-credit thesis option and a 31-credit non-thesis option. Classes such as qualitative research for educators, behavioral research methods in applied settings, examining knowledge, truth, and objectivity—philosophy of science and introduction to measurement prepare learners to design, assess, implement, and improve schools’ data collection and utilize.

  1.  George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

George Mason University serves 33,900 learners on 817 acres. The Department of Educational Psychology has a 30-credit master’s degree program intended for professionals to apply the principles of learning, cognition, and motivation to problems in the area of education. Learners will utilize research, assessment, and evaluation methodologies to design and implement effective educational programs in a broad range of contexts.  Upon completion of the degree program, learners will have a master of sciences in educational psychology with a concentration in assessment, evaluation, and testing. Classes include concepts of learning and cognition, education research, educational and psychological measurement, and program evaluation, just to name a few.  Depending and their interests and backgrounds, learners can choose to pursue a graduate certificate, a bachelor’s with an accelerated master’s, or a PhD in this discipline.

  1.  University of Washington, Seattle, WA

UW is a multi-campus institution with a world-class academic medical center; it has an enrollment of 45,000 learners. The MEd degree in measurement and statistics readies learners to work in school districts, state governments, institutions, nonprofit agencies, and private companies. The MEd at UW is intended for individuals from an array of backgrounds from social science to psychology who are interested in applying statistics, developing assessments, developing tests, and using psychometrics to improve schools and institutions. Learners must complete  45 credits in educational foundations; learning science and human development; and measurement and statistics in addition to nine credits for a thesis/project.

  1. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 

USF is a research institution that serves 42,000 learners annually. The College of Education has MEd, EdS, and PhD degree programs in measurement and evaluation along with graduate certificates in evaluation, qualitative research in education, and quantitative research in education.  The degree program is intended to prepare learners for leadership in the field of educational policy.

  1.  Boston College, Boston, MA

Boston College is a private  College is respected for scholarly excellence and research. Boston College has an MEd in educational research, measurement and evaluation, and an MS in applied statistics and psychometrics. Both degrees require 30 credits and take two to three years to finish. The degrees feature real-life research, often with faculty. The MEd degree classes consist of research design, statistics, large scale data collection, and program evaluation. The MS degree classes focus on several regression and multivariate models, hierarchical linear models, and psychometric models. Candidate must submit transcripts, a statement of purpose, resume, two letters of recommendation, and a GRE score.

  1.  Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

Home to 23,500 learners, Western Michigan University has more than 140 undergraduate programs along with many graduate degrees. The master of arts (MA) in the evaluation, measurement, and research is intended to prepare learners for staff positions in the evaluation, testing, or research units in schools or non-school organizations. Learners take basic classes in applied statistics, evaluation, measurement, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. Completion of the degree program requires 27 credits and a capstone portfolio experience. The portfolio will demonstrate the learner’s capacity to apply the principles and methods learned from the core classes.

  1.  George Washington University, Washington, DC

George Washington University has an MA in assessment, testing, and measurement in education; GWU is the “nation’s premier graduate training in psychometric and statistical methods taught by faculty who are involved in world-class research.” The 30-credit degree program offers classes in foundational assessment, the design of ATM models, and educational testing along with a culminating capstone project and cumulative exam.

Because the statistical measurement is integral to corporate, educational, and nonprofit operations, having the MA in ATM allow learners to work in school districts, institutions of higher education, research-oriented organizations, federal research agencies, or nonprofit organizations.  The ATM degree program can be completed in 15 months and is intended for individuals who are entering or advancing in positions.

  1. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

With an enrollment of 41,500 learners, FSU is diverse and has a vast array of studies in 341 degree programs. The MS degree in measurement and statistics is offered in a thesis or non-thesis format.  This degree centers on foundational knowledge and evaluation. The coursework contains classes such as descriptive/inferential statistics applications, multivariate analysis applications, and measurement theory.  Learners may select a thesis or comprehensive exam. Admission prerequisites consist of a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and an individual statement.

  1. University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

The University of Connecticut offers an MA in measurement, evaluation, and assessment (MEA).  The MA in MEA is intended for educators and professionals who wish to get more knowledge and skill in the emerging field of measurement, evaluation, and assessment. However, anyone with a bachelor’s is urged to apply. The degree moves through classwork focusing on fundamentals of MEA—instrument development, classical and modern measurement theory and applications, item response theory, causal inference, multivariate statistical methods, multilevel modeling, and educational assessment.

  1. University of Maryland, College Park, MD 

Established in 1856, the University of Maryland the leading and a land-grant institution of the UM System. The MA in measurement, statistics and evaluation degree program at UM will get learner ready to serve as research associates. Since educational research relies on data collection instruments, learners in the MA degree program will learn foundational and advanced principles and concepts.

  1. Rutgers University, Newark, NJ

Rutgers Graduate School of Education has an EdM degree in educational statistics, measurement, and evaluation (ESME).  The degree prepares learners for employment in an array of fields, such as researchers or data analysts in the areas of social science research, educational testing, marketing research, or pharmaceutical research.  A sampling of classwork includes statistical methods, psychometric theory, applied multivariate analysis, and causal modeling.  The ESME degree program requires 33 credits and does not require a thesis or holistic exam.

  1.  Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

The MS in educational psychology, measurement, and evaluation is delivered via the Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education. The 30-credit degree program includes classwork and a paper/thesis. Classes consist of applied statistical inference for the behavioral sciences, introduction to educational research, and principles of measurement.  Research and teaching assistantships are available, though priority is given to those who apply for the MS/PhD degree program; hence, it would be advisable to apply and decide later whether moving into the PhD degree program.

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