Advice to students entering with a B.A. or B.S.
Students with a B.A. or B.S. are seldom admitted directly into our Ph.D. program. Certainly exceptions exist, typically where the student has an excellent undergraduate record (GPA 3.5 or above) direct experience in measurement, mathematics, statistics, and/or assessment, and a desire to train specifically for a research-oriented career focused on advancements in methodology. Most often, however, bachelor’s level applicants are directed to first apply for our master’s degree in Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation. With their advisor's assistance, students can then plan a program that allows them to earn an M.A. and be in a good position to apply to the Ph.D. program should that be the goal. Master's students take many of the same courses as students in the doctoral program, and all master’s requirements count directly toward the Ph.D. degree.
Advice to applicants with a Master’s degree
If an applicant has an M.A. or M.S. in a program strongly related to statistics or assessment, application directly to the Ph.D. program is appropriate. Depending on a student’s course history, some of the required courses may be waived if they are approved by the faculty as being related to the student's overall course program. The applicability of these courses will be evaluated after the student is enrolled in the program.
In most cases, students who hold a Master’s degree in a discipline unrelated to measurement, statistics or evaluation should consider the advice offered above to those entering with a bachelor’s degree.