Nov 22, 2024

2022-2023 Graduate Catalog

2022-2023 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Science in Educational Research, Evaluation, and Assessment

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Check departmental information for any additional requirements. For application links and additional information visit the college page or the NIU Online Page.

This 36-semester-hour program is designed to prepare professionals who are broadly trained in both the theory and practice of qualitative and quantitative research, program evaluation, and assessment/measurement. Students learn to design, conduct, and evaluate educational research and evaluation studies; select and implement suitable qualitative and quantitative data analytic procedures; design and evaluate assessments and other instruments; and relate empirical findings to educational and social science policies and practices. While the program entails a comprehensive and rigorous core curriculum, students may pursue specialized areas of professional interest (e.g., advanced qualitative research design, statistical analysis) through elective courses. Students are prepared for careers as researchers, evaluators, assessment specialists, and data analysts in educational, business, government, and other professional settings, as well as advanced training in social science disciplines.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Admission

An applicant must submit GRE or GMAT scores.

Student-at-Large, Study-Abroad, and Transfer Credit

A maximum of 15 student-at-large and transfer semester hours in combination may be applied toward the master’s degree in educational research, evaluation and assessment, with the exception that a maximum of 18 student-at-large semester hours from the certificate of graduate study in advanced quantitative methodology in education may be applied towards this master’s degree. See “Requirements for Graduate Degrees” for limitation on study abroad credit.

Required Courses Credits (18)

ETR 501 - Proseminar in Educational Research and Evaluation Credits: 3
ETR 520 - Introduction to Research Methods in Education Credits: 3
ETR 521 - Educational Statistics I Credits: 3
ETR 525 - Qualitative Research in Education Credits: 3
ETR 530 - Test Construction and Evaluation Credits: 3
ETR 531 - Program Evaluation in Education Credits: 3

Elective Courses Credits (9-14)

Course work within the department from any of the categories below, selected in consultation with program adviser (9 credits for those students who pursue the Master’s Thesis or Master’s Project capstone options/14 credits for those students who pursue the Master’s Portfolio capstone option.)

Other

ETR 590 - Workshop in Research and Assessment Credits: 1-3
OR ETR 790 - Workshop in Research and Assessment Credits: 1-3
ETR 590 or ETR 790 may be repeated to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
ETR 592 - Special Topics in Research and Assessment Credits: 1-3
OR ETR 792 - Special Topics in Research and Assessment Credits: 1-3
ETR 592 or ETR 792 may be repeated to a maximum of 9 semester hours.
ETR 597 - Independent Research in Research and Assessment Credits: 1-3
May be repeated to a maximum of 6 semester hours.
Other courses within and outside the department as approved by program advisor (e.g., ETT 510, EPS 501, EPS 524, PSY 611)

Internship Credits (3-15)

In addition to coursework and a capstone experience (i.e., thesis, project, or portfolio), the program requires an internship.

ETR 586 - Internship in Research and Evaluation Credits: 3-15
Students must take 3 semester hours in this course.
Only 3 semester hours may be applied to the program of study.

Capstone Credits (1-6)

In addition to coursework and an internship, the program requires that students complete a capstone experience. For the capstone experience, a student has the option to complete a thesis, a project, or a portfolio.

ETR 699A - Master’s Thesis Credits: 1-6
Students must take 6 semester hours in this course.
OR ETR 699B - Master’s Project Credits: 1-6
Students must take 6 semester hours in this course.
OR ETR 699C - Master’s Portfolio Credits: 1
AND an additional 5 semester hours of elective courses in educational research, evaluation, and assessment.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is based on the student’s program of study and typically focuses on examination of an issue or problem in educational research, evaluation, or assessment. Students should contact the department office no later than the semester prior to anticipated program completion and graduation to obtain an application for the comprehensive examination. The capstone experience serves as the comprehensive examination for students in the program.