10 Most Affordable Master’s in Assessment and Measurement Online

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Updated August 7, 2020

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An online Master's in Assessment and Measurement is a degree that most professionals in educational research will want to seriously consider earning at some point in their careers. These programs can facilitate the advancement of a career or prepare them to take on a different role within the field. And now with the rise in online degrees that cater to this profession, all students have to do is pick the school that's right for them.

But not all online programs are exactly the same, even though most are more affordable and flexible than traditional schools. With differences in term scheduling, course delivery format, and even practicum options, students need to find a ranking that delivers all that information and more so they can compare programs. That's why this ranking was created.

Research for this ranking began with information found on the website for the National Center for Education Statistics. Using the site's College Navigator database, an initial pool of 15 schools was considered The final 10 were chosen for their in-state graduate tuition rates and are listed in order of affordability.

Most Affordable Master’s in Assessment and Measurement Online

#1 University of North Texas Denton, TX
#2 Texas A&M University Killeen, TX
#3 Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO
#4 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
#5 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL
#6 University of Akron Akron, OH
#7 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
#8 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
#9 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
#10 National Louis University Chicago, IL

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Ranking Low-cost Assessment and Measurement Master's

  1. University of North Texas
    Location

    Denton, TX

    Tuition

    $5450

    The University of North Texas confers an online Master of Science in Educational Psychology that has a stated emphasis on research and evaluation. This is a program dedicated to professionals who wish to move from educational psychology practice into the realm of research. This is a 100 percent online program that delivers asynchronous courses and can be completed in as little as 15 months. There are several term schedule options, including accelerated terms available for educators during the summer. Some professionals may also qualify for a one-time departmental scholarship of $1,000 towards their tuition. This degree requires 33 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written exam. Sample courses include Introduction to Educational Psychology, Survey Research Methods in Education, and Grant Proposal Writing Skills.

  2. Texas A&M University
    Location

    Killeen, TX

    Tuition

    $5784

    Students at Texas A & M University will find an online Master's in Assessment and Measurement that will help them find a specialization that helps them meet their career goals. This is a 100 percent online degree that offers two options: the Master of Education or the Master of Science. Both degree options put a strong focus on research, including a focus on learning environments and how research can shape the way that those environments work. The curriculum is delivered 100 percent online and can be completed in two years with full-time study. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a research paper, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Measurement and Evaluation in Education, Issues in Child and Adolescent Development, and Techniques of Research.

  3. Missouri Western State University
    Location

    Saint Joseph, MO

    Tuition

    $6548

    Missouri Western State University confers an online Master's in Assessment and Measurement for teaching professionals who have a valid state teaching license. This degree is especially geared towards underserved and high-need populations, including those with special educational disabilities and bilingual students. This is a 100 percent online degree that confers asynchronous and synchronous courses to students on 10-week and 16-week term formats. It is also possible to get together with a group of educators and enroll in a cohort group; there is a discount for this option. There are three concentrations: TESOL, Writing, and K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Methods of Research in Education, Formative and Summative Assessment, and Building on Educational Foundations.

  4. Georgia State University
    Location

    Atlanta, GA

    Tuition

    $6876

    Students at Georgia State University are offered the chance to earn an online Master's in Assessment and Measurement that will prepare them to conduct research in educational, governmental, and other settings. Students will note that there are no residency requirements for this degree and that students will not have to complete a thesis for graduation. This degree comes with eight concentrations, including Program Evaluation, Survey Research, and Institutional Research. Courses are delivered 100 percent online and through both asynchronous and synchronous formats. Students will have the chance to complete a master's project, which will bring together research and assessment skills for the finale to this degree. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a research project, a master's project, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses Methods of Research in Education, The Psychology of Learning and Learners, and Social and Cultural Foundations of Education.

  5. University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Location

    Birmingham, AL

    Tuition

    $7588

    The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a cheap assessment and measurement master's that focuses on school psychometry. Professionals will learn how to administer and then evaluate learning disabilities tests in order to provide aid for students who might be struggling in school. This degree was created specifically for educators and teachers; students are required to not only have a teaching license in good standing in their home state, but also at least two years of work experience in the classroom. This is a 100 percent online degree that is delivered synchronously through the school's virtual portal. Students will be expected to complete 34 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Positive Behavior Supports, Lifespan Human Development, and Formative and Summative Assessment.

  6. University of Akron
    Location

    Akron, OH

    Tuition

    $7731

    The online Master's of Assessment and Measurement at the University of Akron emphasizes, among other things, data literacy in its program. This degree was built for teachers and educators who are interested in providing assessments and evaluations within educational settings; students are expected to have a valid teaching license in their home state. The degree is conferred entirely online with asynchronous courses and can be completed in as little as one year with full-time study. The program focuses heavily on data-driven decision making, assessment, and evaluation. Students will be required to complete both an applied project and a portfolio prior to graduation. They will also need to finish 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Using Research to Inform Practice, Data-Driven Decision Making for Educators, and Practical Applications of Educational Evaluation.

  7. University of Iowa
    Location

    Iowa City, IA

    Tuition

    $8856

    Students at the University of Iowa offers an assessment and measurement master's online degree that is perfect for academics and educators who are preparing to move into research and evaluation. This 100 percent online degree is available asynchronously through the school's virtual portal and can be completed in around two years with full-time study. This degree offers both thesis and non-thesis options; the thesis option was created for students who are interested in pursuing doctoral studies after graduating from the program. Students will find that the curriculum is laid out to help a researcher move through the various steps that are required in order to become a professional in the field. Students can expect to complete 32 semester credit hours of coursework as well as a research project and a comprehensive written exam. Sample courses include Educational Psychology, Computer Packages for Statistical Analysis, and Educational Measurement and Evaluation.

  8. University of Florida
    Location

    Gainesville, FL

    Tuition

    $10770

    The University of Florida confers an online assessment and measurement master's degree that prepares professionals to meet the expectations of the educational research community. This is a 100 percent online degree that focuses students on producing methodological research in a variety of different areas of the field. The vast amount of curricular work in this degree is done with the consultation of an advisor who helps guide the student through different research products. Courses are delivered asynchronously and in a traditional 16-week format. Students can complete this degree in two years with full-time study. This degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours of coursework as well as a portfolio of research papers and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include Quantitative Foundations of Educational Research, Theory of Measurement, and Evaluation of Educational Products and Systems.

  9. University of Kentucky
    Location

    Lexington, KY

    Tuition

    $10925

    Students at the University of Kentucky will find that the RMinE program provides professionals with the chance to advance their knowledge of educational research methods. This program offers three concentrations: Quantitative Methods, Evaluation and Assessment, and Research Design. Courses are delivered 100 percent online through asynchronous and synchronous courses on an eight-week term schedule. Students will be taught by current working professionals, allowing them to watch first-hand how research methods make a difference in the workplace. This degree can be completed in as little as 18 months with the full-time study; part-time students can complete all the necessary requirements in just over two years. Students can expect to complete 37 credit hours of coursework, a research project, field studies, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Research Design, Leadership for School Problem Solving, and Field Studies in Educational Settings.

  10. National Louis University
    Location

    Chicago, IL

    Tuition

    $10962

    National Louis University confers a Master's in Assessment and Measurement online that is known as the TLA program. This is a degree designed for educators who want to learn more about curriculum and instruction as well as assessment and measurement. The program is 100 percent online but also available as a hybrid option in Illinois and Florida. Courses are available asynchronously and the curriculum can be completed in as little as one year. Students will also be able to earn a National Board Certification through this program. Research is a large part of the core curriculum requirements, so students must be prepared for research projects. Other requirements for this degree include 32 semester credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Engaging with Critical Multicultural Perspectives, Differentiating for Diverse Learners, and Building on Educational Foundations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Career Options for an Online Master's in Assessment and Measurement Degree?

A graduate degree in assessment and measurement can open a lot of doors for professionals, particularly those who are fond of working in the education sector. From educational researchers and psychologists to administrators working in curriculum and instruction, there are a variety of career options available for these professionals.

But assessment and measurement isn't just an educational field; there are various other industries and sectors that can use these professionals. Here is just a quick overview of some career options:

  • College Administrator
  • Writer
  • Social Work Researcher
  • Government Educational Analyst
  • Freelance Journalist
  • Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
  • Professor
  • Psychometrician
  • Director of Admissions
  • Accreditation Director

How Much Can You Earn in this Field?

The current salary range for professionals in this field is from $50,000 to $120,000. This includes salary ranges based on work experience, educational experience at the graduate range, the city of residence, career position, certifications, licensure, and more. This is one of the most lucrative educational fields in the country and salaries continue to steadily rise every year.

School psychometricians often make the most money, averaging about $100,000 per year. This is because this profession is highly skilled and often requires certification. On the lower end of the scale are teachers who work as curriculum and instruction designer, assessment designers, and more; they usually make around $49,000 to $80,000 a year.

Researchers made a mid-range salary of between $75,000 to $85,000. These professionals also happen to have the most freedom in their position, enabling them to move from organization to organization and from employer to employer. They can also work in both public and private sectors, enabling them to change jobs and focus very quickly.

What are the Various Disciplines of Assessment and Measurement?

The assessment and measurement field focuses largely on education, psychology, science, research, statistics, methodology, writing, and more. It is an interdisciplinary field that touches various other disciplines, most often government, healthcare, social services, education, psychology, sociology, political science, and law.

Why are Research Projects a Big Part of This Degree's Requirements?

The online Master's in Assessment and Measurement is an academic research degree; it was built for professional researchers. It makes sense that research would be a large component of the portfolio or capstone work that these professionals would take on while in school. In fact, it's strange for a program not to require at least some research projects for graduation.
As a research degree, the online Master's in Assessment and Measurement cannot just talk about theories and concepts surrounding research; it must also demonstrate to students how those methodologies work in the real world. Students must be able to correctly identify a problem or issue, conduct research to fix the problem, and then defend that paper prior to leaving the university. This is one of the best ways that the university has to ensure their students are truly understanding the material.

Another reason research projects matter is because it enables a student to have a portfolio ready to pass along to an employer with their resume. Because they have come up with original research and can perhaps even point to publication, this makes their resume and their candidacy for a position more desirable among employers. It also gives them a sneak peek into how the workplace actually operates, enabling them to hit the ground running when they finally graduate from the program.

Not a lot of attention is paid to education research and assessment by the general public, but as education continues to change due to technological and other advancements, it has become more important than ever to properly educate all professionals in the field. These programs are also rare and competitive, making it important for professionals to consider virtual opportunities. Professionals can quickly find the school that meets their needs within this list of the top online Master's in Assessment and Measurement.

This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Most Affordable Master's in Assessment and Measurement Online.

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GradSchoolHub.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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