1. What kind of jobs can I get with a Master’s in Educational Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation (EAME), and what is the job forecast?
Organizations such as the American Statistical Association and the National Science Foundation report jobs in assessment and evaluation are plentiful and satisfying. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of statisticians is projected to grow 34 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected to result from more widespread use of statistical analysis to make informed business, healthcare, and policy decisions. In addition, the large increase in available data from the Internet will open up new areas for analysis.”
The emergence of the field is also evident in the growth of the American Evaluation Association, which had roughly 3,000 members in 2001 but has more than 7,000 today (click for source). The AMA is an excellent resource providing information, news, events, career search, and resources for those looking at or in the field.
2. What is the difference between online and campus-based programs in a Master’s in Educational Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation (EAME)?
According to Babson Survey Research Group’s findings in their 2015 “Survey of Online Learning, Online Report Card: Tracking Online Education in the United States,” the total of number of students enrolled exclusively in online programs is 2.8 million and those enrolled in at least one class is 5.8 million, or 28 percent of all college students. Though the overall trend is still growth, the percentage of academic leaders who believe that online learning is critical to long-term success declined from 71 to 63 percent. Using these couple data-points we can conclude there are still great advantages to online learning and also disadvantages.
The two most significant factors driving the explosion of online learning from a student perspective are affordability and flexibility. The price of on-campus learning is high and continues to grow; this increases student debt and the long-term financial health of many students. Also, for those working, an on-campus degree interrupts their schedule and affects their job, so many would rather keep working and earning money, while paying considerably less for an online degree they can take at their own pace.
The online format may be asynchronous, which means you can take classes whenever you want at whatever pace you want. This is the most flexible, though some schools have limits on how long a student can be in the program. Typically asynchronous learning is delivered through the web, email, or message boards to the student who then completes the work and turns it in. Synchronous learning is different in that it is through chat and video-conferencing technology. This kind of online learning is with others, not alone, and is basically a virtual classroom.
Many programs offer a combination of these two types of learning and a lot of variety exists from school to school. Another key difference to note when researching the school of choice is the on-campus requirements. There are many programs entirely online with no campus visits, however, there are some that require a few days to a week.
As for curriculum, online and on-campus degrees offer the same courses.
We recommend accredited programs, and not all are so be aware. Be sure to check as accreditation is very ensures the quality and credibility of the program, but even more to potential employers.
The on-campus degree has two distinct advantages: the person-to-person classroom and the on-campus mentoring from faculty experts. This face-to-face contact and the communication inherent within a very relational field does provide a complete and un-measurable advantage. The biggest disadvantage to the on-campus degrees is cost and being locked into travel or moving and a program that isn’t flexible to a work schedule. This can sometimes be offset with the right housing arrangement, but living on campus can be quite expensive.
3. What is the salary range for a Master’s in Educational Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation (EAME)?
Graduate work in EAME can prepare you for a job as a researcher and analyst in several fields, including: academic institutions, state and federal agencies, school districts, the testing and evaluation industry, marketing research, and large-scale test management. Salary ranges can be quite different depending on the specific job, work experience, and organization. In general salary ranges from $50,000 to $120,000.
Possible jobs and median salaries (according to Payscale) include:
- College and university professors – $84,632
- Director of Assessment and Accreditation – $73,099
- Research Analyst, staff members in research and evaluation divisions in public schools, government agencies, and private corporations and foundations.- $51,754
- Psychometricians – $78,603
- Educational Diagnostician – $57,857
- Postsecondary Education Administrators – $90,760
- Quality Assurance Manager – $74,921
- Statistician- $80,500
4. What kind of degrees allow you to work in the field of EMAE?
In order to become a research analyst, educational tester, educational diagnostician, or director of assessment, etc. requires a master’s degree or higher. Most of the careers in the field are heavy on statistics and research design or leadership; and EMAE master’s often contain leadership elements for educational settings. A note about graduate certificates: the programs included on our list (like most) are designed for working professionals with some training and experience in the field and are seeking professional development or career advancement.
5. What is a job description for someone with a Master’s in Educational Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation (EAME)? What are the day to day responsibilities?
Since there are many job possibility accross this interdisciplinary field in the public and private, profit and nonprofit sectors, the descriptions, salaries, and duties vary considerably. The following is only a selection of some of the possibilities: The following descriptions are taken from Payscale and the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
College and university professors:
“An assistant professor’s job description can be summarized into two categories: Teaching and Research/Contribution to the University.” The teaching component involves teaching, mentoring, and helping students in classroom settings as well as individually. You will also be involved in committees and meetings that develop, evaluate, and modify curriculum. In addition to teaching, the professor engages in research in their specific field, attends conferences, and publishes scholarly articles. This job is suited for those who enjoy working with young people and find satisfaction is the lively discussion of ideas in their particular field.
Postsecondary Education Administrators:
“Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. Their job duties vary depending on the area of the college they manage, such as admissions, the office of the registrar, or student affairs.” The duties day to day depend greatly on the area of administration from registrar, to provost, to admissions, though all utilize assessment, measurement, and evaluation.
Research Analyst:
“Research analysts must carefully examine data and produce meaningful information for their employer. This can involve not only drawing meaning from the data, but also checking to make sure the data is correct and using it to validate ideas and theories.” The day to day activities of research analysts involves collecting and analyzing quantitative data, presenting results in written and oral formats, interviewing clients or team members to identify information needs and deliverable, and working with other analysts in team settings.
Director of Assessment and Accreditation
“Directors of assessment and accreditation work primarily in colleges and universities to conduct research and gather data about students’ learning and the effectiveness of the institution. They also gather data to meet necessary accreditation standards and determine necessary criteria to meet certain accreditation guidelines.” Day to day activities include leading assessment, monitoring compliance with government and legal standards, and coordinating others in a comprehensive assessment system.
Psychometricians
“Psychometricians are responsible for creating, administering, and reviewing tests that measure a person’s psychological attributes. Psychometrics refers to a systematized process of measuring a person’s intellectual capability and thought processes.” Day to day, psychometricians work to develop, administer surveys and tests, collect and analyze the results, assist and recommend how to apply the results to improving school curriculum, and conduct interviews for clinical studies.
from Top Masters in Education http://ift.tt/2qMUHJ1
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