Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment


Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment 

For more than 50 years, the Lynch School's Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA) doctoral program has trained students to examine educational programs, design quantitative research studies, develop assessment instruments, and analyze educational, psychological, and social science data to help inform policy making.

 

Enhance your professional career with a curriculum that emphasizes research methodology and data analysis; advanced coursework in research design, statistical methods, and testing and assessment; and seminars in statistical and measurement topics. MESA students have the opportunity to tailor coursework to their particular interests and background. 

At a Glance

How many courses?

Students with a master's degree take 18 courses.

Students without a master's degree take 24 courses. 

How long will it take?


Students with a master's degree typically complete the program in 4–6 years.

Students without a master's degree typically complete the program in 5–7 years.

When can I start?


All students are full time and begin the program in the fall semester.

Curriculum

Applicants must demonstrate evidence of their preparation for doctoral study, typically through completion of a master's degree. Students applying for admission without a master's degree generally have a combination of research-relevant undergraduate courses, and research project and paid work experiences that convey a commitment to and skill in independent scholarship. Based on their background, students will complete the 54-credit (for students who have completed a master's degree) or 72-credit (for students entering without a master's degree) program.

Requirements


  • Courses: 18 or 24
  • Credits: 54 or 72
  • Comprehensive Exam
  • Dissertation

54-Credit Program (entering with a master's degree)

72-Credit Program (direct admit students entering without a master's degree)

Your Network

Our geographic proximity to the concentration of academic and nonprofit institutions in the Greater Boston and Northeast region—and our extraordinary alumni network—provide significant opportunities to enhance your professional career. 

Faculty

Internationally recognized faculty integrate interdisciplinary theory with the most current evidence-based practices.

Tuition & Aid

Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial aid.

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $10.8 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of BC’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable. 

MESA Research Centers 

Both master’s and doctoral students can work with faculty and other experts at one of the Lynch School’s internationally renowned MESA‐affiliated research centers:

TIMSS and PIRLS International Study Center

The Center conducts comparative educational achievement studies in math and science (the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study or TIMSS) and reading (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study or PIRLS) under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. 

Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation, and Educational Policy (CSTEEP)

CSTEEP is an educational research organization that conducts research on testing, evaluation, and public policy, working with individual schools, districts, states, and countries to advance educational testing practices and policy and improve the quality and fairness of education.

Careers

Roles

  • Researcher
  • Assistant Professor
  • Project Analyst
  • Research Associate
  • Director of Efficacy Analytics and Studies
  • College President
  • Principal Psychometrician
  • Director, Innovation Lab
  • Senior Vice President of Research
  • Senior Consultant

Organizations

  • American Institutes for Research
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Bank of America Operations
  • Hanover Research
  • Pearson
  • Cumberland County College
  • ACT Inc.
  • Measured Progress
  • Maguire Associates
  • Sheffield Research and Evaluation

Apply

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Application & Deadlines

Apply Now

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.

Deadlines

Fall 2025:

  • Deadline: December 1, 2024
    This program does not offer rolling admission after the deadline.

 

Resume

To be uploaded to your online application.

In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.

Personal Statement

To be uploaded to your online application.

In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required with at least one required from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice. Academic letters are a better indicator of your qualifications for doctoral work as compared to professional letters. Ideally, academic letters should be as recent as possible, and from faculty who are in related fields. 

Transcripts

Transcripts from all college/university study are required.

Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.

Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found within the application. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.

Standardized Tests

GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.

Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.

Writing Sample

To be uploaded to your online application.

All applicants to this program are required to submit one piece of work that demonstrates graduate-level writing ability. This document may be an academic term paper, a published work in which you are the primary author, a training manual or curriculum that you have created, a clinical case formulation, or another representative sample of your writing. The document should be approximately 15-25 pages.

International Students

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.

Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.

Requirements for International Students

Quick Links

Contact Us

  gsoe@dos5.net
  617-552-4214