The MEd in MESA online program is designed for several student populations and will:

• Enhance students’ career opportunities by increasing their quantitative and qualitative research skills
• Create opportunities for students in settings that require technical skill, such as academic institutions, state and federal agencies, school districts and the testing industry
• Provide a stepping stone for those students who wish to pursue doctoral studies in a MESA area

Students must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours, at least 9 of which must be at the 500 level. Independent Study Courses and any 597 or 598 courses do not count toward the required 9  hours of 500 level coursework for the MEd program.

Research Methods Core (32 hours from listed courses):

• EPSY 503: Essentials of Quantitative Inquiry in Education - 4 hours
• EPSY 509: Research Design in Education - 4 hours
• EPSY 505: Advanced Analysis of Variance and Multiple Regression - 4 hours
• EPSY 546: Educational Measurement - 4 hours
• EPSY 506: Item Response Theory - 4 hours
• EPSY 512: Hierarchical Linear Models - 4 hours
• EPSY 560: Educational Program Evaluation - 4 hours
• EPSY 504: Rating Scale and Questionnaire Design and Analysis - 4 hours
• EPSY 583: Multivariate Analysis of Educational Data - 4 hours
• EPSY 561: Assessment for Measurement Professionals - 4 hours OR ED 501: Data and Interpretation in Educational Inquiry - 4 hours

Required Course for Students taking the Thesis Option (5 hours minimum):

• EPSY 598: Thesis Research

Those students selecting the Thesis option will either substitute EPSY 598 for a course, or take EPSY 598 as an additional course.

What are the areas of MESA?

Measurement involves the assignment of numbers to objects such that the numbers represent degrees or quantities of unobservable constructs such as attitudes, achievement, self-efficacy, self-esteem, etc.

Evaluation involves the systematic collection of information about the activities, characteristics and outcomes of programs to make judgments about program quality, improve program effectiveness and/or inform decisions about future program development.

Statistics aims at learning the process that generated the data, including learning how a given variable is affected by other variables, and learning about the true (population) distribution of the data.

Assessment involves the processes of collecting, synthesizing, analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative information to aid in decision-making.

What are the job prospects?

Surveys of degree programs and employment agencies conclude that there is high demand for quantitative and qualitative methodologists who can function effectively in research and applied settings.

Who is the program designed for?

The MEd in MESA online program is designed for several student populations:

• Students who want to acquire the knowledge and technical skills needed for positions in academic institutions, state and federal agencies, school districts, and the testing and evaluation industry (e.g., licensure and certification boards, private and not-for-profit testing organizations).
• Students who eventually wish to pursue doctoral studies in a MESA area.
• PhD students in education and other fields who want to increase their research skills and enhance. their career opportunities by simultaneously enrolling in the MEd in MESA online program.
• Faculty and other professionals seeking to increase their research skills.

How are the courses typically run?

Some common aspects among our online MESA courses include:

• Courses are run on a weekly basis
• Instructors use multimedia to facilitate student learning
• Students can interact with the weekly course materials at any time and at their own pace during each week
• Students have many opportunities to apply what they are learning and receive timely, constructive feedback
• Instructors can be reached readily by email, phone, and/or Skype
• Students’ questions are addressed in a timely manner
• Students have opportunities for asynchronous discussions with their fellow classmates

How many credit hours are needed to meet the requirement of the program?

32 credit hours, equivalent to 8, 4-hour-credit courses.

How long is the program?

Students starting the MEd in MESA online program in the Fall semester are recommended to take 2 courses per semester for 4 consecutive semesters. However, a plan of study can be created to take one course per semester for 8 consecutive semesters.

Can I transfer other coursework I've completed elsewhere into this program?

Up to 8 hours of non-Graduate College program (UIC or non-UIC) with approval of your advisor.

Can I still work and complete this program?

Yes, most students maintain part-time or even full-time employment while pursuing the program.

Do I need a degree in education to be admitted into this program?

No, a bachelor's degree from any field would be suitable.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes, please visit our Financial Aid page for more information.

Can applicants apply to any term?

Applications are accepted for the Fall term of each year. Contact the program coordinator for the possibilities of Spring admission.

Can I defer enrollment?

Yes, with the program coordinator's approval.

What are the tuition and fees?

Tuition and fees are currently $762 per credit hour. Each MESA course is 4 credit hours. Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice any time prior to the first day of instruction.

What additional costs are there?

Students will be responsible for purchasing the books associated with each course. Students will also be required to purchase a statistical software package (e.g., SPSS Graduate Pack) and other software required by instructors. We will attempt to use software that have student/trial versions.

Please contact the Dr. Everett Smith, the program coordinator, at evsmith@uic.edu for more information.