As a student in Educational Measurement and Statistics, you will receive training in educational measurement, applied statistics, and data science in social and educational sciences. You will also learn theory, methods, professional ethics, and methodological best practices in quantitative research methodology.

Our graduates obtain employment in a wide range of industries, from ACT and Pearson to Gallup and Google in addition to positions within universities and colleges. Our alumni find career opportunities where they analyze and interpret quantitative data, independently conduct research and communicate findings to various audiences, design assessments, and use complex quantitative information.

Questions?

Programs

MA Educational Measurement and Statistics

Training and hands-on experience with core measurement and statistical methods.

PhD Educational Measurement and Statistics

Preparation for scientific and practitioner positions with the cutting-edge analytic methods used in research and industry.

One of the best things about this program is the community. I would not be the researcher that I am without the encouragement and support of both my faculty and student colleagues. 

- Catherine Mintz (Mathers), PhD Candidate

World-renowned program

International students comprise more than 60 percent of our enrollment, representing a number of different countries and six continents, creating a dynamic and diverse learning environment.

Students come to us from across the state, nation, and globe due to our ties to the world-renowned Iowa Testing Programs as well as industry giants in our backyard, including ACT and Pearson, both spun off from the college thanks to testing pioneer E.F. Lindquist.

International students

Our programs are STEM Designated Programs for Optical Practical Training, or OPT status with the Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code STEM-Designated, a federal government designation. This provides extended visa opportunities to work post graduation.

Come join our world-famous program that has a 100 percent placement rate. Here’s one dozen reasons why our program could be right for you!

  • A history of successful placement of graduates in professional and academic positions
  • Breadth and depth of training education measurement methodology and applied statistical methods
  • History of research experiences leading to conference presentations and peer reviewed papers
  • Integration with testing programs
  • Successful grants
  • Community of assessment professionals in local area (ACT, Pearson, College Board)
  • Internship opportunities
  • Large number of students receive financial support
  • Many faculty affiliated with externally funded Research and Development centers
  • Work closely with faculty mentors
  • Interdisciplinary linkages (ties to other programs; informatics, statistics, business, data science)
  • Opportunities for credentials in other programs

Faculty and Research

With 10 tenured or tenure-track faculty, one distinguished visiting professor, and a number of emeritus, affiliated, and adjunct faculty, our program has one of the largest faculty cohorts and one of the best faculty to student ratios in the nation. You will easily find a faculty mentor who matches your research interests.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Test theory (Classical, Item response, generalizability, factor analysis)
  • Structural equation modeling
  • Testing
  • Bayesian statistics
  • Assessment Instrument Construction and Validation
  • Validity theory
  • Multilevel modeling/Mixed effects models
  • Causal inference

Center for Advanced Studies in Measurement and Assessment

The Center for Advanced Studies in Measurement and Assessment (CASMA) pursues research-based initiatives that lead to advancements in the methodology and practice of educational measurement and assessment.

Center for Evaluation and Assessment

The Center for Evaluation and Assessment (CEA) conducts multiple forms of program evaluation and assessment in collaboration with colleges, universities, and school systems throughout the United States.

Iowa Testing Programs

The world-renowned Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) serves assessment needs in Iowa and across the country by developing high-quality instruments and working with schools to promote valid use of results.

Admissions and Application

For general admissions information, please visit Graduate Admissions. Please visit the degree pages for specific admissions information:

Financial Support

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to submit all of their application materials to the University by December 1 if you wish to be considered for all possible sources of financial aid for the fall semester of the following year. Several sources of financial aid, including research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships are available to Educational Measurement and Statistics students. Two of the research assistantships are:

Recipients assist College of Education faculty in research and other scholarly activity in a field related to the faculty member's interests. Students from all College of Education program areas may apply. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis.

Appointments are 50% time for nine months and begin with the start of the academic year.

To request information, Interested students should contact David Henkhaus (david-henkhaus@uiowa.edu, 319-384-2714) or can send a letter requesting information to:

Chair, SGA Selection Committee
The University of Iowa
340 Lindquist Center
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1529

Applicants must be graduate students in good standing or qualify for admission as well as satisfy the College of Education requirements for assistantships.

The deadline for applications is generally in February.

To apply for research assistantships in the Iowa Testing Programs (ITP), send a letter of application to:

Stephen Dunbar
Iowa Testing Programs
334A Lindquist Center

University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1529

This letter should indicate your interest in a research assistantship in ITP and describe any background, skills, or training you have that you believe might be especially relevant to Iowa Testing Programs.

The letter should also include your (a) university number (if any); (b) home address and telephone number; (c) email address; (d) university address (if any) and telephone number (if any); (e) degree program; and (f) advisor (if any).

Applications are reviewed by a committee of ITP faculty when research assistantships become available. This committee makes recommendations to the ITP Administrator, who makes final decisions. Applications are kept on file for one year from the date of the application.

In addition to assistantships, several fellowships are available. The University will review the application materials when they are complete and will then send the necessary forms to the applicant.

For general financial aid, contact:
Office of Student Financial Aid, 208 Calvin Hall,
The University of Iowa
Iowa City IA 52242
319/335-1450
financial-aid@uiowa.edu

Apply Now

Please review the required supplemental documents above before starting the general graduate application. To begin the application process, set up an account with an existing email address and password

Program Resources

  • The Blommers Measurement Resource Library contains a collection of books, journals, and reference materials related to educational testing and assessment as well as an extensive collection of published and unpublished tests. The laboratory is staffed by a full-time professional librarian.
  • The Center for Advanced Studies in Measurement and Assessment pursues research-based initiatives that lead to advancements in the methodology and practice of educational measurement and assessment. Inter-disciplinary measurement and assessment activities, as well as international activities, may be pursued when they relate to the primary mission.
  • The Center for Evaluation and Assessment provides consulting services on campus and across the nation in the assessment of college outcomes and the evaluation of educational and social programs. The Center regularly offers graduate assistantships to qualified students.
  • The Connie Belin and Jacqueline N. Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development provides teacher training and direct services to gifted students. A variety of experiences including practica and research assistantships are available to graduate students.
  • The Department of Linguistics offers courses for those who need to study English as a second language.
  • Professional Development @ the TLC provides graduate students a comprehensive job seeking resource.  From résumé and CV samples, templates and critiquing service, to programs that address all aspects of the academic and professional job search, to several publications and video programs that inform and guide every step of the job search.  They also offers students a Letter Service for professional letters of recommendation.  For more information on the services offered, stop by N140 LC or visit our website.
  • The Education Technology Center provides access to a variety of services for College of Education student, faculty and staff, including an open computer lab, three computer classrooms, an Iowa Communications Network (ICN) classroom, wireless laptop technology within Lindquist Center, AV equipment for checkout, digital video editing equipment, and the ETC Support Center (formerly ePortfolio™ Center).
  • The Graduate Student Advisory Committee is an organization open to all students in the Educational Measurement and Statistics program that encourages student input on departmental activities and seminars, provides useful information about upcoming events, and promotes student interaction and involvement.
  • Iowa Testing Programs develop the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and the Iowa Tests of Educational Development. The programs also provide analytic and consultative services associated with the interpretation and use of test scores. These activities support a number of unique opportunities for student research.
  • The University Libraries include the Main Library, the Psychology Library, the Health Sciences Library, and the Business Library.

News

Dare to Discover banners hanging in Iowa City

Five UI College of Education students selected for OVPR’s 'Dare to Discover' campaign

The Office of the Vice President for Research’s annual Dare to Discover banner campaign highlights 80 researchers and scholars from across the university.
Erick Akuoko poses in Lindquist.

Scholarship spotlight: Eric Akuoko

Thanks to the Albert Hieronymus and Family Scholarship, Eric Akuoko is able to pursue innovative education research that makes an impact on students and learning.
Professor Walter Vispoel stands outside of Lindquist

Long time educational measurement faculty member, Vispoel, retires

After teaching future analysts and conducting renowned research in the University of Iowa College of Education’s Educational Measurement and Statistics program for more than 35 years, Professor Walter Vispoel is retiring.

Contact Us

Program Coordinator

Jonathan Templin
E.F. Lindquist Chair in Measurement and Testing and Professor in Educational Measurement and Statistics
224B1 Lindquist Center
319-335-6429
jonathan-templin@uiowa.edu

Questions?

Please contact:
Jonathan Templin

319-335-6429
Jonathan-templin@uiowa.edu