Graduate Programs
Master of Arts

The master of arts degree is offered on a nonthesis and a thesis basis.The purpose of the nonthesis program is to provide basic training for students seeking to qualify for positions that call for special competence in educational measurement and research methodology. Such positions are typically found in larger school systems, state departments of education, test publishing organizations, and research centers. The program is also appropriate for students seeking to broaden their knowledge of measurement and research methodology for personal development or professional improvement.

The purpose of the thesis program is in general the same. However, the program is primarily intended for the student planning to take advanced work in statistical methods or educational measurement at the Ph.D. level.

Degree Requirements

To acquire the MA degree (nonthesis or with thesis), the student must successfully complete at least 32 semester hours of approved study beyond the bachelor's degree.

1. Core Courses (26 s. h.)

7P:165 Introduction to Program Evaluation 3 s.h.
7P:200 Educational Psychology 3 s.h.
7P:220 Educational Research Methodology 3 s.h.
7P:243 Intermediate Statistical Methods 3 s.h.
7P:244 Correlation and Regression 4 s.h.
7P:246 Design of Experiments 4 s.h.
7P:255 Construction and Use of Evaluation Instruments 3 s. h.
7P:257 Educational Measurement and Evaluation 3 s. h.

2. Electives (3-6 s. h.) or Thesis (2-4 s. h.)
Students completing a nonthesis MA will take electives.

Electives
Recommended areas from which electives may be chosen include the following: educational psychology, statistical methods, educational measurement, program evaluation, computer programming and data processing, mathematical statistics, counseling and student personnel procedures, and mathematics.

Thesis
The topic must be in the field of educational measurement, evaluation, or statistical methods and is chosen by the student in consultation with his or her advisor. The student's committee will have an opportunity to review the topic and offer suggestions on its implementation before the student is fully committed to it.

3. Comprehensive Examination

The six hours of final comprehensive examinations typically include three-hour examinations in educational measurement and in applied statistics. With the approval of the MA committee, the student may take two-hour examinations in these fields plus a two-hour examination in educational psychology or a substitute field:

	Option
Examination	A	B
Educational Measurement	3	2
Applied Statistics	3	2
Educational Psychology or substitute	0	2
TOTAL	6