Measurement and Evaluation PhD

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Measurement & Evaluation


The Ph.D. in Measurement & Evaluation is designed to prepare graduates for careers in a wide range of educational settings. Graduates acquire specialized knowledge and skills in test theory, test and instrument development and validation, program evaluation, and quantitative analysis of educational and psychological data. Some graduates pursue careers as college professors. Some are employed in city or state departments of education in the planning and supervision of testing programs and research and evaluation projects. Others work for test publishers, licensure and certification boards, and government agencies in the construction of tests or in the management of large-scale testing programs. Still others work in evaluation, research design, and statistics in contrast research firms, as well as health care and business settings. 

A doctorate is required for most college teaching positions and for positions of professional responsibility in testing organizations, departments of education, and licensure and certification boards. The Ph.D. is appropriate for individuals with strong quantitative and technical skills who wish to focus on theoretical issues in measurement and evaluation or who have a strong background in a substantive area of psychology in which they wish to further the development and application of measurement techniques.

Both the Ed.D. and Ph.D. are accepted as qualification for faculty positions in schools of education in the United States.

PhD MEAS Program Requirements 24-25

 

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Admission Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.

Doctor of Philosophy

  • Points/Credits: 75
  • Entry Terms: Fall
  • Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based

Application Deadlines

Entry Term AvailablePriority DeadlinesFinal DeadlinesExtended Deadlines
SpringN/AN/AN/A
SummerN/AN/AN/A
FallDecember 1, 2024December 1, 2024N/A

Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.

Application Requirements

 Requirement
 Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume
 Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed
 Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)
 $75 Application Fee
 Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
 GRE General Test

For admission-related inquiries, please contact HUDadmission@tc.columbia.edu.

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)

Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.

View Full Catalog Listing

Measurement Core (15 points):

  • HUDM 5059 Psychological measurement (3)

  • HUDM 5124 Multidimensional scaling and clustering (3)

  • HUDM 6051 Psychometric theory I (3)

  • HUDM 6052 Psychometric theory II (3)

  • HUDM 6055 Latent structure analysis (3)

Evaluation Core (9 points):

  • HUDM 5130 Meta-analysis (3)

  • HUDM 5133 Causal inference for program evaluation (3)

  • ORLJ 5040 Research methods in social psychology (3)

  • HBSS 6100 Measurement and Program Evaluation (3)

Quantitative Methods Core (21 points):

  • MSTM 5030 Topics in probability theory (3)

  • HUDM 4125 Statistical inference (3)

  • HUDM 5123 Linear models and experimental design (3)

  • HUDM 5126 Linear models and regression analysis (3)

  • HUDM 6026 Computational Statistics (3)

  • HUDM 6030 Multilevel and longitudinal data analysis (3)

  • HUDM 6122 Multivariate analysis I (3)

Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics Electives (18 points):

In consultation with an advisor, students select courses from the following list, as well as more generally from courses offered at other Departments and Schools at Columbia University:

  • HUDM 5058 Choice and decision making (3)

  • HUDM 5100 Programming for Data Science (3)

  • HUDM 5250 Research practicum in measurement and evaluation (0-4)

  • P8120 Analysis of categorical data (3) (at Mailman School of Public Health)

  • P8121 Generalized linear models (3) (at Mailman School of Public Health)

  • W4640 Bayesian statistics (3) (at the Columbia Statistics Program)

  • P8640 Methods in program evaluation (3) (at Mailman School of Public Health)

  • P8705 Evaluation of health programs (3) (at Mailman School of Public Health)

  • EDPS 5646 Evaluation of Educational and Social Programs (3) Quantitative

  • EDPA 6002 Methods for Evaluating Educational Policies and Programs (3)

Psychology (minimum of 9 points):

In consultation with an advisor, a group of courses aimed at substantive preparation in the field of psychology.

Dissertation Advisement and Seminar (minimum of 3 points):

HUDM 7500* Dissertation seminar (1-3 credits each for two semesters) 

HUDM 8900 Dissertation advisement (0)

Special Requirements:

The first two years require full-time study. In addition to the above coursework, an approved empirical paper, an approved theoretical research paper, successful performance on the certification examination, and completion of an approved doctoral dissertation are required for the Ph.D degree.

M.Phil. Degree

The M.Phil. is an en passant degree awarded to those nearing the completion of the Ph.D. degree. Students contact the Office of Doctoral Studies (ODS) to file for the award of the degree.

To receive the M.Phil., the student must satisfactorily complete the following requirements:

  1. Complete at least six courses with evaluative grades under Teachers College registration

  2. Pass the Certification Examination (i.e., Research Methods Examination)

  3. Complete an approved empirical research paper

  4. Complete an approved theoretical research paper

  5. Complete all 75 points of coursework required for the degree 

  6. 6. Be recommended by the Program Advisor and Department Chair for the award of the M.Phil. degree, which signifies certification as a Ph.D. degree candidate who may continue the dissertation requirement under the auspices of the Teachers College faculty.

Candidates should provide copies of both research papers to the Department of Human Development for inclusion in the student’s records.

Transfer Credit

Relevant courses completed in other accredited graduate schools to a maximum of 30 points, or 45 points if completed in another Faculty of Columbia University, may be accepted toward the minimum point requirement for the degree.

Only completed graduate courses with earned grades of B or higher that appear on the student’s transcript from a regionally accredited institution may be considered for transfer credit.

The student files a “Request for an Allocation of Graduate Credit” with the Office of the Registrar. Once the Registrar's Office determines the eligibility of courses for transfer, final determination of transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the faculty advisor after evaluation of the courses for content and relevance to program requirements. The Office of the Registrar notifies the student of the results.

Satisfactory Progress

Students must also make satisfactory progress towards completion of the degree. A grade of C- or lower may result in dismissal from the program.

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