What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in Assessment And Measurement Program?

If you’re shopping for a program to earn your master’s degree in assessment and measurement, online options offer convenience and a quality education that rivals that of traditional on-campus programs. Attendance requirements are often broad, setting parameters and giving you the freedom to choose your class engagement times within them. This makes it easier to pursue your graduate degree while you work full-time or fulfill other personal obligations. You also have some control over completion time, with accelerated programs that get you to your degree faster and part-time options if you keep a busy schedule. To find the program that works best for your situation, compare the curriculum and demands of several distance learning institutions to find the one that matches your career goals and won’t interfere with your lifestyle.

Concentrations Offered for an Online Master’s in Assessment And Measurement

CONCENTRATION DESCRIPTION POSSIBLE CAREERS THIS CONCENTRATION PREPARES FOR
Educational Diagnostics Focuses on the principles of classic test theory and psychometrics as they apply to individuals. Researcher, analyst or director of assessment for a school, government agency or the marketing department of a company
Institutional Explores psychometrics and classic test theory principles as they relate to groups and communities. Director of institutional research, researcher or analyst for schools, government agencies and healthcare facilities

Curriculum for an Online Master’s in Assessment And Measurement

When comparing schools that offer an online master’s degree in assessment and measurement, you might notice that the curriculum offerings have significant differences. For this reason, it’s important to look through each program carefully and determine whether it lines up with the professional goals you’ve set. Choosing the program with the right courses can have a huge impact on your career, and you’ll want to make sure you get the most out of your graduate degree. Avoid online programs that require some on-campus classes unless the school is in your immediate area.

The differences between curriculum offerings can be increased when you choose a concentration. Although each school offers something unique, there are some courses you are likely to encounter, including:

COURSES DESCRIPTION
Curriculum Design Develop engaging curriculum that encourage participation and accessibility; the course also covers the creation of assignments that fall in line with the goals of the course.
Technology and Education Explore the use of technology and various media types in the classroom to engage students and inspire their love of learning.
Teaching and Learning Examine the most current and effective teaching approaches with an emphasis on the learning process and using technology effectively in a learning environment.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Master’s Degree in Assessment And Measurement?

It can be difficult to calculate completion time for an online master’s in assessment and measurement program because contributing factors are controlled by you and the school you choose. If you elect to take a standard full-time course load, generally two classes a semester, your completion time is likely to be around two years. If you have heavy work or personal commitments, it may be more reasonable to attend part-time. This lowers your course load but increases the number of semesters needed to earn your degree. Some schools also offer an accelerated program that can cut completion time down by as much as half. This option will require greater commitment as the course load is much higher.

The way the school has structured the curriculum also has an impact on possible completion time. Cohort programs are designed to move groups of students through the curriculum together. This structure usually has only one or two start dates each year and does not allow flexibility in course completion. The self-paced model is more open and allows students to control how long it takes to graduate. In this case, start dates are scattered throughout the year, allowing students to begin almost immediately when they enroll.

Certifications and Licenses an Online Master’s in Assessment And Measurement Prepares For

CERTIFICATION DESCRIPTION
Licensed Educator States require teachers to receive and maintain a license in order to teach in a professional capacity. Each state has its own set of requirements for licensing that may require applicants to pass a state-recognized exam.
School Principal Certification In some states, principals must be certified before they can work in schools. Certification requirements will vary based on location, but standards are often set by the state licensing board.

Accreditation for Online Master’s in Assessment And Measurement

An accredited school is the best option for enrolling in an online master’s in assessment and management program because students will receive more from their degree. Without accreditation, degrees earned will not be recognized by licensing and certification boards, precluding you from professional designations. A school that isn’t accredited has not met the standards of education set by recognized accrediting agencies, and you may end up without the knowledge you need to be successful. It’s also possible that a potential employer will choose to disqualify you as an applicant if your degree didn’t come from an accredited school or program. Signing up for an online program at an accredited school protects your interests and ensures you’ll get the most out of your degree.

Respected accrediting agencies fall into one of three categories. Agencies like the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) offer accreditation to schools that meet national educational standards. There are also six regional agencies, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, that only work with schools in their covered area. Accreditation from these agencies has the added benefit of facilitating easier credit transfers between schools they’ve accredited. Finally, some programs may be accredited by industry-specific agencies that set standards based on the education you need to be competent in your particular field.

Employment Outlook for Master’s in Assessment And Measurement Graduates

Job Placement: Master’s v. Bachelor’s

Earning your master’s degree provides significantly better employment opportunities than you have with a bachelor’s. Having a graduate degree proves the investment you’ve made in your field and demonstrates a deeper knowledge of your profession. Some positions even require a graduate degree just to apply, and potential employers will often overlook candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in favor of those with a master’s to capitalize on the additional training. This makes it easier to get the job you want while also allowing you to negotiate for a better employment package.

Expected Salary

Potential career choices for someone with a master’s in assessment and measurement generally offer a low-end salary of $40,000 to $50,000, with an upper range that more than doubles. The table below shows the salary potential for a range of jobs that can be filled by someone with a graduate degree in assessment and measurement.

JOB TITLE SALARY RANGE
Training and Development Manager $48,848-$112,876
Postsecondary Professor $48,848-$112,876
Principal/Headmaster $49,468-$136,761
Education Administrator, Postsecondary $42,271-$95,299
Instructional Coordinator $39,739-$74,332

The amount you can earn from any of these positions increases with the extra experience you gain from completing a graduate program. The next chart shows how salary potential increases as experience goes up, even by just five years.

Career Opportunities

Depending on their professional goals, someone with a graduate’s degree in assessment and measurement has several career paths they can choose from. Your master’s degree also gives you an opportunity to advance within your organization, increase your salary potential or seek better benefits.

JOB TITLE JOB DESCRIPTION MEDIAN SALARY PROJECTED GROWTH RATE
Instructional Coordinator Instructional Coordinators are responsible for developing curriculum plans and setting the standards for teaching within their organization. This includes oversight for teacher training, classroom technology implementation, textbook selection and new programs or content. $63,750 per year 11%
Training and Development Manager The Training and Development Manager is responsible for all staff training efforts. Training materials, methods and programs are all selected by the Training and Development Manager before being implemented and evaluated for effectiveness. $108,250 per year 10%
K-12 Principals Principals are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the their school and manage school staff. Developing the standards for curriculum, providing teachers with professional evaluations, counseling students, managing school finances and establishing security procedures are some of the responsibilities of a K-12 Principal. $94,390 per year 8%
Postsecondary Professor Postsecondary Professors are responsible for teaching courses at a college or university to help students learn the subject matter they specialize in. This requires the development of lesson plans and assignments, student advising, creation of an instructional plan and working with students who are taking their course. $76,000 per year 15%

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations provide valuable benefits to their members by hosting networking events, offering continuing education and helping members stay informed on the latest industry news. Once you complete your online master’s in assessment and measurement program, here are few professional organizations you can look into.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: The ASCD is open to educators and school administrators and provides members with networking opportunities at hosted events, discounts on school and office supplies, access to an enhanced career and job center and access to industry publications and news.

National Education Association: As one of the largest professional organizations for educators, the NEA is also open to anyone employed within public education. Members get the benefit of legal representation and insurance, access to research materials, career tools and the opportunity to network with their peers at a number of hosted events.

Association of American Educators: Membership in the AAE comes with liability insurance and legal protection, eligibility for scholarships and classroom grants, subscriptions to the organization’s newsletters, access to industry publications, access to professional resources and aids and a member’s-only discount program. The organization also gathers information through surveys that focus on what members want and need from the government, then pass the information along to legislators.

Financing Your Online Master’s in Assessment And Measurement

Online graduate degree programs are often cheaper when compared to programs that require on-campus attendance, but you may still find yourself in need of some financial help to cover your tuition. If this is the case, start your search by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out whether you qualify for grants and loans issued by the government. If you need an additional or alternative source, you can also consider scholarships and private loans to help with the cost of graduate school.

Resources

Scholarships

Scholarships Details
Richard M. Weaver Fellowship and Henry Salvatori Fellowship Award: $5,000-$15,000

Deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Open to full-time graduate students pursuing a degree with the intention of teaching who are U.S. citizens and submit an essay answering the current year’s question.
The Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship Award: $1,000

Deadline: December 31

Eligibility: Graduate students majoring in an education-related degree.

Interested in a degree instead?

Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.