Research, Educational Measurement, & Psychometrics PhD Course of Study

Course of Study

Research, Educational Measurement, & Psychometrics doctoral students are required to take 42 class credits and 10 dissertation credits.

Prerequisites:

* denotes prerequisite: EDUC 555
** denotes prerequisite: EDUC 656
*** denotes prerequisite: EDUC 771
**** denotes prerequisite: EDUC 736

Required Courses

Summer Internships

Summer internships are a required part of the graduate student training experience, and faculty work closely with students to create these important opportunities for students.

EDUC 632A Fundamentals of Test Construction

Enables students to construct educational assessments using a variety of item formats such as multiple-choice and performance-based items. The entire development process, including item writing and item review are covered

EDUC 735 Advanced Theory of Practice and Testing I

Theory of mental tests beginning with the classical test theory model and including such topics as reliability, validity, item analysis and test development.

EDUC 736 Advanced Theory of Practice and Testing II

Introduction to modern test theory, often called item response theory. Topics include shortcomings of classical models and methods, basic concepts and item response theory models, parameter estimation, goodness of fit  procedures, and specific applications including test development, detection of biased test items, test score equating, large-scale assessment, score reporting, and computer-adaptive testing. Prerequisite: Educ 735.

EDUC 771 Applied Multivariate Statistics I

Matrix algebra, nature of multivariate distributions, tests of hypothesis on mean vectors, regression analysis including multivariate regression models, correlation techniques, application to issues in educational research. Computers used extensively to analyze data taken from existing research studies.

EDUC 821 Advanced Validity Theory and Test Validation

This course presents and discusses the major theories regarding the concept of "test validity" and the major practices involved in test validation.  The skills taught in this course will enable students to be experts in testing tests. 

EDUC 637 Nonparametric Statistical Analysis in Education & Psychology

In this course, we examine inferential procedures that do not assume normality.  Procedures are introduced that allow analysis in designs that involve more than two categorical variables or that involve repeated, unordered qualitative variables. Prerequisites:  EDUC 555 and 656.

EDUC 727 Scale and Instrument Development

An introduction to the major steps necessary for the construction of new measures.   This course will provide a framework based on modern measurement theory (item response theory with a focus on the Rasch models) for the construction and evaluation of new measures and scales.

EDUC 751 Scaling Models for Behavioral Science

The purpose of this course is to introduce and explore scaling methods essential for research in the social sciences. This course covers techniques of unidimensional scaling, multidimensional scaling, and classification. Prerequisite: Students should have basic understanding of univariate and multivariate statistics.

Social Justice Requirement 

The purpose of the Social Justice (SJ) requirement is to provide a learning opportunity to critically interrogate one's self, group, and historically constructed social identities, and each identity's location in relationship to power. As students navigate their doctoral educations, SJ courses are intended to aid students- through knowledge, awareness, and skills (analytical, communicative, leadership)- in recognizing the ways in which power, oppression and difference (POD) create injustice interpersonally and institutionally. This requirement is designed to provide students with the experiences needed to meet the following learning outcomes:

Students will

• Critically engage with theories of oppression, privilege and social justice; and understand how all theory shapes knowledge production.
• Critically analyze their own perspectives and identities, develop an awareness of implicit biases, and understand how these perspectives and biases have historically been shaped by power relations within social and institutional contexts.
• Gain knowledge of structural and cultural forces (both historical and contemporary) that shape discrimination based on factors such as race, ethnicity, language, religion, class, ability, nationality, sexuality or gender.
• Demonstrate the capacity to engage in active listening (voicing, speaking, & inquiring into each other's perspectives) while being mindful of the ways that power, privilege, oppression, and difference shape meaningful communication. 
• Explore and construct questions that critique dominant narratives to develop a complex understanding of the world.
• Demonstrate an understanding of historical legacies that bridge past and contemporary manifestations of power, oppression, and difference.

For a list for currently acceptable Social Justice courses that meet the Research, Educational Measurement, & Psychometrics PhD degree requirement, please contact the concentration coordinator. 

Research Methods Courses

Students are required to take four research methods courses. Two of those four courses must be quantitative and one must be a (qualitative) research methods course.  View our  Research Methods Courses page for more information.

Comprehensive Exams

The purpose of the comprehensive exam is to ensure students have sufficient knowledge of the fields of research design, educational statistics, and psychometric methods, to proceed toward candidacy for the PhD degree. Successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam is an important milestone for Psychometrics students because it indicates mastery of the important knowledge and skills taught in our concentration and that are important for success in the fields of educational research and psychometrics. Students typically take their comprehensive exam during the spring of their third year, and the exam consists of both written and oral sections. View our Student Resources page for exam policies, content, and sample questions.