Programme structure
The master's programme in Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation is a two-year full time study consisting of 120 ECTS.
Course of study from 2022 and later
This master's programme has the following structure:
- compulsory courses (80 ECTS)
- master's thesis (40 ECTS)
Course of study from 2020 to 2021
This master's programme has the following structure:
- compulsory courses (90 ECTS)
- master's thesis (30 ECTS)
Course of study from 2019 and earlier
This master's programme has the following structure:
- compulsory courses (90 ECTS)
- master's thesis (30 ECTS)
Foundational courses and building blocks
During the first semester, you will follow courses that lay the foundations for research work in measurement and related data analyses.
To kick off the first course, MAE4000 Data Sciences, we have a two-week intensive "bootcamp" to learn basic principles of programming in the statistical computing and graphics environment R. Though this course you build you skills in data wrangling and visualization, and rise your knowledge and critical awareness around probability and statistical inferences.
The course MAE4001 Linear Models introduces you to the world of statistical modeling starting with the basic building block of regression models and introducing principles of model estimation and statistical inference, including sensitivity checks for model assumptions and potential influential outliers.
MAE4011 Principles of Measurement and MAE4010 Constructing Measures introduce you to the world of measurement in the social and behavioral sciences, with specific attention to applications in educational measurement. This includes historical and current conceptualization of measurement reliability and validity, in combination with foundational frameworks and methodology such as classical test theory and factor analysis for the measurement of latent variables. You will also be challenged to design and build up a survey or test questionnaire from scratch in a systematic and reasoned fashion.
In the second semester, your skills and knowledge of statistical modeling and measurement are further expanded with a focus on the context of, and methods used in, educational measurement and the broader social and behavioral sciences in general. This includes Item Response Theory, a modeling framework underlying all modern applications of psychometric tests, and the use of so-called structural equation models (SEM), a popular framework for quantitative research involving latent constructs and data from typical measurement instruments in the social and behavioral sciences. A range of current topics and ongoing debates in assessment and evaluation (MAE4050) are discussed interactively in class and you will finalize the comprehensive survey-building project you started in the first semester of MAE4010 Constructing Measures.
At the very end of the semester, you will choose a more specialized, individual topic of interest to write your master thesis about.
Specialised study designs and methodology for your journey
In the third semester, you officially start the work for your master thesis project that eventually will lead to a master thesis in journal article format. The master thesis project takes the form of either of three formats: an empirical study using advanced quantitative analyses, a methodological evaluation study using Monte Carlo simulation techniques, or a larger-scale meta-research study. Next to the regular individual thesis supervision, there are also smaller thesis seminars to support the startup, planning, and write-up of your project. Four 5 ECTS courses are in place to further specialize and deepen your skills and knowledge on design and methodology for surveys-tests-assessments-evaluations, with a clear focus on typical challenges, potential, and limitations in answering relevant research and/or policy questions in a diverse application context.
Conducting and finishing your own quantitative research project
During the fourth and last semester, you will independently conduct your thesis work under the guidance of an experienced supervisor. The previous semesters will have provided you with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for successfully undertaking and finishing your thesis research. The thesis seminars will be ongoing and continue to provide a good platform to share experiences and learning elements with your peers and support you in reaching your end goals.
More information about the Master's Thesis in Assessment, Measurement, and Evaluation can be found here.
Honours certificate
Are you academically ambitious? It is possible to supplement your master's degree with an honours certificate worth 20 credits. You take the certificate concurrently with the master's programme.
Diploma and degree
This programme leads to the following degree: Master in Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation
The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.