Skip to content

Master of Arts in Evaluation, Measurement and Research

Students working on a laptop.

This program is offered in-person, online, and hybrid.

The Master of Arts in Evaluation, Measurement and Research in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology at Western Michigan University is designed to prepare you for staff positions in evaluation, testing or research units in schools or non-school organizations. Programs can be completed fully online and the use of HyFlex classrooms allows online students to seamlessly participate in class meetings with students attending on campus. 

Why the Master of Arts in Evaluation, Measurement and Research at Western Michigan University?

  • The Evaluation, Measurement, and Research program at WMU is the oldest graduate program in evaluation in the world. 
  • The program has remained interdisciplinary over the years and serves students from all other colleges on campus.
  • Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized and are passionate about their instruction and scholarly work.
  • Students learn theory and methods of evaluation as well as key competencies and skills needed to design and lead evaluations.  
  • We believe that evaluators require a strong foundation in the social sciences, especially since evaluators spend most of their time collecting, analyzing, and reporting qualitative and quantitative data. Our students become competent with measurement and the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods.  
  • Our graduate programs are applied and provide opportunities to participate in evaluations and grant-funded research. 
  • Our students gain the knowledge, methods, soft skills and key competencies needed to prepare them for successful careers in evaluation or in academia.

Application information 

Applications for the Master of Arts in EMR are accepted and reviewed throughout the year. 

Woman
"The EMR program has been central to many of the opportunities I have had and the opportunities I am continually asked to be a part of...The EMR faculty are devoted to the success of each of their students and strive to assist each student in their own career goals." - Alycia Sterenberg, alumna 

Additional information

  • A professional resume or CV.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • A written personal narrative describing your familiarity with EMR and how this has led you to apply.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
  • English language proficiency scores (for international applicants only). 
  • A professional resume or curriculum vita.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
    • These must be obtained from three different individuals in a position to address the applicant’s ability to successfully complete master level work.
    • Applicants must request such recommendations from within the online system. The recommenders will respond via the online system as well.
    • Please be aware that references will only be sent an electronic request with an online link for the reference AFTER a student has submitted their application.  Therefore, do not wait until the last day to submit your application.  It is a good idea to forewarn your references that a request for an electronic reference is forthcoming and needs to be submitted by the admissions deadline.
  • A written personal narrative describing your familiarity with EMR and how this has led you to apply.
    • Applicants must clearly describe their professional goals and how this m program fits with those goals.
    • This narrative should be no more than four double-spaced pages and will be considered as a writing sample.
  • Applicants must submit an official transcript from the institution from which you received your Bachelor’s degree, as well as a transcript from institution(s) where any graduate level courses or degrees have been taken/completed.  Applicants are not required to submit an official transcript of courses taken/completed at Western Michigan University.
  • English language proficiency scores (for international applicants only).
    • As required by WMU, international applicants must provide proof of English competency, unless they have successfully completed either four years of upper secondary school or one year of full-time tertiary (university-level) education within specific countries (view the list of such countries).
    • English proficiency scores may be reported within the online application system and official scores must be uploaded within the online by the application deadline to which you are applying.
    • Desired minimum English language proficiency scores for this M.A. include: 7.0 on IELTS; 233 on TOEFL (CBT), 577 on TOEFL (PBT), or a 90 on TOEFL (iBt), with the following minimum sub-scores on the TOEFL (iBT): 22 in reading, 20 in listening, 24 in speaking, and 24 in writing. Students not meeting these desired minimums may still apply for the program; however, lower scores will be a factor in the admissions decision and discussed within your Personal Narrative.
    • Students not meeting these minimum desired scores may apply after having met the requirements for advanced-level students within WMU’s Center for English Language and Culture for International Students program (to be considered, students must pass all advanced-level classes with a final grade of “B” or better in each class). No conditional admissions are granted for potential applicants who are enrolled in but have not yet successfully completed the CELCIS program.
  • Copies of article reprints, white papers, evaluation reports, etc., or other artifacts that represent your scholarship if available.
  • EMR 5400 Fundamentals of Evaluation, Measurement and Research
  • EMR 5410 Introduction to Educational Measurement and Assessment
  • EMR 6420 Evaluation I: Theory, Methods and Program Evaluation
  • EMR 6430 Evaluation II: Evaluating Products, Personnel, and Policy
  • EMR 6450 Data Analytics I: Designed Studies
  • EMR 6480 Qualitative Research Methods
  • EMR 6500 Survey Research
  • EMR 6590 Contemporary Trends in Research
  • *EMR 6790 Capstone Project

Total: 27 credits

In addition to the core MA courses listed above a minimum of 9 credits of electives are required and approved by the student’s advisor. Elective courses are approved by the student’s academic advisor and can be selected from EMR doctoral-level electives courses or from the university graduate curriculum. EMR offers the following electives:

  • EMR 6560 Mixed Methods Research
  • EMR 6680 Qualitative Research: Computer Assisted Data Analysis
  • EMR 6710 Structural Equation Modeling
  • EMR 6750 Applied Multivariate Statistics
  • EMR 6770 Ethnographic Research Methods
  • EMR 6850 Hierarchical Linear Modeling
  • EMR 6970 Special Topics in EMR

*Capstone Project: During the Capstone experience the student will work with their advisor to create an artifact (or series of artifacts) that demonstrate their ability to apply the techniques mastered in their core courses. The Capstone Project requirements and specifics are worked out in consultation with the student’s advisor and should require no less than 120 hours of student work.

Questions?