M.Ed. or Ph.D. in Measurement and Statistics
What you can earn
Duration
Credits earned
Format
Time commitment
Upcoming deadline
Cutting-edge psychometrics and applied statistical modeling
The Measurement & Statistics (M&S) program prepares graduate students to become leaders in the research and practice of cutting-edge psychometrics and applied statistical modeling. Since the late 1960's, our collective expertise has focused on latent variable models and related quantitative methods, with a common mission to improve educational equity and quality.
A master's degree in M&S includes coursework in psychometrics, applied statistical modeling, and results presentation, all of which involve R coding. Students entering our master's program come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, including (but not limited to): computer science, economics, education, engineering, marketing, mathematics, psychology, sociology, and statistics. The course of study is intentionally designed as a 2-year program* to ensure our graduates are highly skilled and more competitive in the job market.
Students entering our Ph.D. program will have already earned a master's degree from our M&S program or a similarly rigorous educational measurement, quantitative psychology, or statistics program. These students focus on becoming experts and scholars in a particular quantitative methods area. They graduate in 3-5 years, and have successful careers as academic faculty, institutional research faculty, or within the private industry as data scientists and psychometric experts.
*We also welcome working professionals who complete coursework at their own pace.
Curriculum
Overview
M.Ed. students earn a minimum of 45 credits, typically spread over 6 quarters (two academic years). Our program was intentionally designed this way to provide students the knowledge needed to be highly competitive on the job market.
- 22+ credits in Measurement & Statistics
- 6 credits in Education Foundations
- 6+ credits in an outside area (e.g., statistics, psychology, public policy, etc.)
- 9 credits for thesis/project
Ph.D. students have typically already completed the master's degree coursework listed above. They will work closely with their advisor to create a highly tailored program of study that includes advanced quantitative coursework, along with a sub-area of expertise within education, and outside coursework to gain broader perspective and deeper insight into specialized topics.
Courses
Admission requirements and process
Overview
All interested candidates must apply during the regular UW College of Education admissions period.
- For M.Ed. admissions, at least one prior graded course in statistical methods is strongly encouraged
- For Ph.D. admissions, we require a master's degree in M&S or a master's degree in a similar program in educational measurement, psychometrics, quantitative methods, or statistics
- Completion of our M&S master's program does not guarantee acceptance to the M&S Ph.D. program
Before applying, we encourage prospective students, especially those interested in the Ph.D. program, to email the M&S faculty member they are most closely interested in working with to set up a brief online appointment.
Current M&S master's degree students who are interested in continuing into the doctoral program should speak with their advisor by the beginning of autumn quarter of their second year. This meeting is important to discuss mutual expectations, content fit, and available funding. Upon approval of your advisor, you can then apply to the doctoral program during the regular annual application cycle using a modified “Petition Application.” Again, we cannot guarantee that completion of the M&S master's program will lead to acceptance in the Ph.D. program.
Applications are due in early January and decisions are made by early March.
Materials
- Degree from an accredited institution
- A bachelor's degree is required for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) program
- A master's degree is required for the doctorate program
- Your degree can be in-process at the time of your application but must be completed before the program starts.
- Unofficial transcript(s) with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Include one from each institution from which you've earned a degree and one from every institution you have attended in the previous 5 years.
- Your transcripts must include your name, coursework and degree (if completed)
- If you are offered admission, the UW Graduate School will request an official transcript from your most recent degree earned
The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or 3.0 for your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits). However, we review your application holistically. If your GPA is below 3.0, contact us at edinfo@uw.edu for advice on how to strengthen your overall application by connecting with a Graduate Admissions Advisor.
- Three letters of recommendation for Doctoral, two letters for Masters
During the online application process, you will be given instructions for adding your recommenders and getting their letters submitted electronically.
- Resume/Vita
A current academic and professional resume or vita is required. In addition to educational degrees and professional experience, you should include a listing of all relevant awards, publications, presentations or other achievements that will help us evaluate your application.
- Statement of Purpose
- 1-2 pages for M.Ed.
- 3-5 pages for Ph.D.
Admissions committees use your statement of purpose, along with other evidence, to determine whether your goals are well-matched with our programs. Your statement should address goals, relevant experience, future plans and how the desired specific program meets your needs. Be sure to include personal experiences that have prepared you for the challenge of graduate school, topics like:
- Scholarly interests
- Career goals
- Your match for the program
- Faculty interests
- Personal History Statement (Optional)
While optional, you can add to your application by submitting a personal history statement with each application. This statement should address your intellectual growth and development, inclusive of and beyond your academic goals. Speak to topics like:
- Educational, cultural and economic opportunities and disadvantages you've experienced
- Ways these experiences affected the development of your special interests, career plans and future goals.
Statements should be no longer than two pages long. And while there are no standard formatting requirements, we encourage double-spaced text with a legible font.
- Writing sample (Doctoral only)
Doctoral candidates must submit one sample of scholarly writing (e.g., course papers, articles, essays). The sample should demonstrate how well you can analyze or synthesize and critically reflect on information. The writing sample must have been written by you alone.
If you have no appropriate examples of scholarly writing, we urge you to consider preparing a medium-length (10-12 page) critical essay review of a book that you feel is central to your interests in education. The writing sample will be uploaded in your online application. Faculty will only review one writing sample.
Submitting
- Gather all required documents
- Visit the Graduate School website
- Log into your account or create a new profile if you are a first-time applicant
- Complete all steps in application process and upload your documents
- Pay the nonrefundable $85 application fee
- You may request a fee waiver during the application process
- Submit your application
Current M&S master's degree students who are interested in continuing into the doctoral program should speak with their advisor by the beginning of autumn quarter of their second year. This meeting is important to discuss mutual expectations, content fit, and available funding. Upon approval of your advisor, you can then apply to the doctoral program during the regular annual application cycle using a modified “Petition Application.” Again, we cannot guarantee that completion of the M&S master's program will lead to acceptance in the Ph.D. program.
Next Steps
International
We value and welcoming applications from international students! If you are applying from outside the United States, there are additional requirements and application materials.
- Prior degree requirements
- At minimum, you must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree (a four-year degree from an institution of recognized standing)
- Evaluation of your degree will be based on:
- The national system of education in the foreign country
- The type of institution
- The field of study and level of studies completed
- Transcripts
- International transcripts must be submitted in the original language.
- Your transcript should include date of graduation and title of the awarded academic degree
- If your transcript is not in English, you must also provide a certified English translation
- You do not need to have your transcript evaluated for the degree by an agency
- English language proficiency
Per UW Graduate School policy, you must submit a demonstration of English language proficiency if your native language is not English and you did not earn a degree in one of the following countries:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Canada
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Trinidad and Tobago
The following tests are accepted if the test was taken fewer than two years ago:
- TOEFL
- Minimum score: 80
- Recommended score: 92+
- The UW's 4-digit code is 4854
- IELTS
- You must request from the center where you took the test that your scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system (E-TRF) to the following address:
- University of Washington All Campuses, Organisation ID 365, Undergrad & Graduate Admis, Box 355850, Seattle, WA, 98105, United States of America
- Minimum score: 6.5
- Recommended score: 7.0+
- School information for submission:
University of Washington, All Campuses
Undergraduate & Graduate Admission
Box 355850
Seattle, WA 98195
- You must request from the center where you took the test that your scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system (E-TRF) to the following address:
- Duolingo
- Minimum score: 105
- Recommended score: 120+
- Follow the instructions on the Duolingo website to submit your scores
- Financial ability
If apply and are offered admission to UW, you will need to submit a statement of financial ability.
Costs and funding
Estimated Costs
We are a tuition-based program. Estimated tuition rates are based on your residency:
- Washington state residents: $19,584 per year
- Out-of-state students: $35,352 per year
Estimates are subject to change and may differ due to course load and summer quarter enrollment. Estimates include building fees, technology fees, U-Pass, etc. Additional program-specific fees are not included in this estimate.
View the UW tuition dashboard →
Visit the Office of Planning & Budgeting →
Funding & Scholarships
Federal financial aid is available for students. Visit the UW Financial Aid website for information and resources. The College of Education also provides scholarship and other funding opportunities.
