MESA
Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment
Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA)
With a focus on solving critical, global problems, our Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA) programs integrate state-of-the-art research design, statistical methods, and testing. Our coursework blends theory and application, preparing students for careers in government, testing organizations, nonprofits, and schools.
Drawing on the Lynch School aspiration to “enhance the human condition, to expand the human imagination, and to make the world more just," the mission of the MESA program is to:
- Contribute to national and international efforts to solve critical educational and human problems in a diverse global community
- Educate the next generation of scholars and practitioners who will engage in reflective social inquiry
- Foster meaningful scholarly inquiry into both theoretical and applied aspects of social systems
- Advance creative approaches to important measurement, evaluation, and research problems in educational and other social science fields
- Provide students with the necessary theoretical and applied skills and experience to become research and evaluation leaders in their professional fields
- Prepare students to make original and substantive contributions to the fields of measurement, evaluation, and statistics
In service of this mission:
- The MESA program is committed to high quality, rigorous, collaborative, and equity-minded research, teaching, and mentoring
- The MESA program trains students in state-of-the-art statistical, research, and evaluation methods
- Students in MESA develop expertise in research methodology, measurement, evaluation, and applied statistics
- MESA faculty members have expertise in classroom and large-scale assessment, measurement and item response theory, factor analysis and structural equation modeling, categorical data analysis, multilevel modeling, generalized linear models, program evaluation, psychometrics, etc.
- Graduates of the MESA program find employment in colleges, universities, research centers, testing agencies, school systems, ministries of education and other government agencies, and industry
- Students completing the doctoral/master's degrees are capable of conducting independent research and evaluation, constructing measurement instruments, analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, and contributing to the theory of research and evaluation methodology
Students engaging in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics and Assessment programs benefit considerably from the location of Boston College. Boston as a city is one of the richest post-secondary environments in the world, and offers a diverse range of educational environments.
The Boston College O'Neill Library has an excellent collection of books and journals in higher education and educational leadership resulting from decades of focus in the field. The university offers strong supporting faculty in education, management, and the social sciences, and a strong tradition of collaborative scholarship.
Close relations with other academic institutions in the area mean extensive opportunities for internships and research around the metropolitan area. Boston College's Jesuit identity also offers an underlying concern with social justice issues that is unique among education programs, and of course the program benefits from the Jesuit tradition of rigorous intellectual discourse.
Do I need a math background for the MESA program?
A degree or other background in math is not required for admission to the MESA program. Some MESA students have a moderate math or statistics background, and a few students have a deep math or statistics background. Your bachelor’s or master's degree may be in any field. We have had students with backgrounds in music, business, sociology, psychology, etc. The critical issue is your interest and intentions with attaining this form of specialized training.
Do I need an education background for the MESA program?
Nearly all MESA students have some education background. For admission to MESA, teaching experience and/or an education degree is not required, but some exposure to important issues in education is a benefit. Of more interest to us is what you want to study and research while in the program and what you want to do when you graduate.
Do I need a master's degree to apply for the MESA Ph.D. program?
No, you can apply to the Ph.D. program with a bachelor’s degree only. This is considered applying for the Direct Admit Ph.D. degree. This route is available for the occasional BA/BS student who has a strong undergraduate quantitative research background. It is 72 credits, which is 12 credits less than the normal 30 credit M.Ed. degree and 54 credit Ph.D. programs combined.
What is the biggest difference between the MESA M.Ed., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees?
One way to think of the M.Ed. and M.S. degrees versus the Ph.D. degree is what you plan to do with what you learn. If you want to become a more informed and critical reader of research and to develop more sensitive assessment and evaluation skills as a teacher or other education/social science professional, then the M.Ed. is a good choice. The M.S. prepares you for a career in applied statistics or psychometrics. If you are thinking of a significant career change in the sense of becoming a full-time graduate student with goals of becoming an independent consultant, director of institutional research, or college professor of measurement, etc. then the doctoral degree is the way to go. If you are unsure, it is best to request a meeting with the department chair, Laura O'Dwyer, to discuss your interests.
Programs
Applied Statistics & Psychometrics, M.S.
Use advanced data analysis and statistical expertise to improve evidence-based organizational decision-making and practices.
In-person
STEM
Fifth Year Pathway
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Exposure to the latest trends in psychometric theory and research.
- Internships with national organizations such as ACT, ETS, and Cognia.
- Coursework focused on organizational, educational, and behavioral improvement and equity through evidence-based research.
Careers
- Educational Researcher
- Educational Consultant
- Principal Psychometrician
- Project Analyst
- Educator
- Institutional Researcher
Data Science, M.S.
Apply technical methods and consulting skills to address the needs of organizations and communities, preparing both experienced professionals and recent college graduates for rewarding careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing fields.
Online
Early Admit Pathway
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Approach data science with a human-centered mindset by centering ethics, bias, and security and privacy issues that can influence findings and subsequent decision-making.
- An online part-time program designed for students to leave the program with evidence of their skills by having a body of work to show employers through a capstone project.
- Opportunities to learn in small class sizes and interactive programming incorporating discussions, reflections, and case studies.
Careers
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Data Engineer
- Data Analyst/Consultant
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Research Scientist
Early Childhood Policy and Leadership Certificate
Develop a deep understanding of the science of early childhood development and the policies and systems that intersect with young children and their families.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Complete a three-course certificate in Early Childhood Policy and Leadership, including courses in the science of early childhood development; program and policy development and evaluation; and leadership, advocacy, and partnerships.
- Participate in monthly seminars, targeting key issues related to early childhood research, practice, policy, advocacy, and leadership over the course of three semesters.
- Complete a three-month, paid summer internship in a local, national, or international setting to solidify skills in policy development and analysis, leadership, advocacy, or research translation in the early childhood field.
- Translate learning from the internship and certificate courses by completing a capstone project, such as a policy brief, academic paper, or policy analysis.
Institutional Research Certificate
Prepare for a career in higher education as an institutional research officer or analyst by helping schools address institution-related questions and problems.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Program combines foundational courses in higher education administration with the MESA department's strength in data analysis, evaluation, and research design.
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods coursework are included.
Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, & Assessment, Ph.D.
Hone research methodology and data analysis skills to inform policy-making in education and other critical areas.
In-person
STEM
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Examine institutional programs, design quantitative research studies, develop assessment instruments, and analyze organizational data to help inform policy-making.
- Research Assistantships drive students to produce conference presentations, publications, and consulting opportunities.
- Opportunities to collaborate on research with faculty to better integrate theory and practice.
Careers
- Professor
- Researcher
- Director of Efficacy Analytics and Studies
- Senior Vice President of Research
- Director of Innovations Lab
Research and Evaluation Methods, M.A.
Develop data-driven skills to improve organizational decision-making and conduct vital evaluations to examine processes and outcomes.
In-person
STEM
Fifth Year Pathway
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Students have hands-on opportunities to work on applied research and evaluation projects in a variety of settings including K-12 and higher education, social services, and public health.
- Learn ways to develop and conduct studies that honor the perspectives and experiences of marginalized populations.
- Wide selection of electives make the program customizable for each student.
Careers
- Educational Researcher
- Educator
- Data Analyst
- Evaluation Specialist
- Consultant
- Institutional Researcher
Undergraduate Minor: Research, Evaluation and Measurement
Advance your understanding of research, evaluation and measurement tools and practices.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- The Lynch School of Education and Human Development (LSEHD) Research, Evaluation, and Measurement minor consists of 18 credits, 12 of which may not simultaneously be counted toward the BC core or other major/minor requirements.
- The Research, Evaluation, and Measurement minor is designed to prepare students to design high-quality research studies, conduct rigorous statistical analyses, build valid survey and test instruments, and evaluate programs and policies.
- This minor will develop students' understanding of research and evaluation methods, and capacity to advance knowledge in ways that enhance the human condition and make the world more just.
Careers
- Educational Researcher
- Educator
- Data Analyst
Research
- 1
Total results: 6
Educating Others: A Vocation Promoting Meaning & Purpose
This project aims to better understand Urban Catholic Teacher Corps members' perceptions of leading a life with meaning and purpose. To our knowledge, this research program is the first intended to provide documentation and measurement of purpose and meaning in the lives of educators, in particular in urban Catholic schools.
Project DetailsHCS EdConnect Evaluation
While the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the capabilities of remote home learning with over a billion children displaced from school, the community of Chattanooga, TN, was positioned quite differently. A long history of community-based technology initiatives and local infrastructure allowed a public/private partnership to scale the nation's most robust community broadband initiative: HCS EdConnect, powered by EPB. Recognizing this opportunity for research and evaluation, an inter-disciplinary Boston College team is leading efforts to help project stakeholders better capture and analyze the formative and summative impacts of the initiative. Over multiple years, an equity evaluation model employs a variety of data collection efforts undertaken with local partners including surveys, interviews, and secondary analyses of user and system data.
Project detailsIntersectionality and Test Bias
Item and test bias presents a major threat to the validity of educational testing and assessment programs. To date, bias has been examined through the distinct lens of racially stratified identity, gender identity, economic status, or ableness. Doing so fails to account for the intersections of identity. This project explores the use of intersectional lens to the study of bias in educational testing.
Project DetailsSupporting Success in Algebra
Transition to Algebra (TTA) is a year-long algebra support curriculum designed to raise the confidence and competence of ninth-grade students who are underprepared in the subject. Responding to an urgent need for innovative approaches that foster success in algebra for high-need students, the team is examining the impact of TTA on students’ algebra achievement and attitudes toward mathematics, and investigating how teachers use and adapt TTA.
Center for Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet (C-CoMP)
The proposed project, Center for Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet (C-CoMP), will involve a collaboration between researchers at the Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation and Educational Policy (CSTEEP) at Boston College and researchers at Woodshole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). The project will examine the impact of science interventions on student and teacher outcomes.
Project DetailsAssessing the Efficacy and Implementation of City Connects: a Systemic Approach to Student Support
The major goals of this project are to Conduct a natural experiment of City Connects to determine whether it improves the academic and social-behavioral outcomes of students who attend high poverty urban elementary schools (grades K to 5). Conduct a quasi-experimental study to determine whether the impact of the City Connects intervention is replicated in high poverty urban elementary schools (grades K to 5) that are new to implementing the program.
Conduct a quasi-experimental study to determine the impact of City Connects in middle schools (grades 6 to 8). Study the impact of site context on City Connects implementation and the extent to which variability in implementation fidelity is associated with program impact.
Research Centers
The national and international demand for sophisticated education researchers is reflected through the two world-renowned MESA-affiliated research centers.
TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center
A global leader in educational assessments: Trends in Mathematics and Science Study and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study.
Center for the Study of Testing, Evaluation, and Educational Policy
CSTEEP strengthens school assessment practice and policy with research, engagement, and advocacy.
Careers
Contributing to national and international efforts to solve critical educational and human problems in a diverse global community
Roles
- Business Analyst
- Chief Data Strategist
- Chief Research Officer
- Director of Assessment and Accreditation
- Director of Institutional Research Insights and Outcomes Specialist
- Policy Advisor
- Research Specialist
- Senior Principal of Research & Evaluation
- Software Engineer
- Vice President of Strategic Planning
Organizations
- American Institute for Research (AIR)
- Education Development Center
- Fidelity Investments
- Hanover Research
- Horizons for Homeless Children
- MA Department of Education
- Maguire Associates
- Microsoft
- Pearson
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals
- Villanova University
News
Student Research
Guided by world-class faculty, MESA Ph.D. students develop the inquiry skills needed to produce relevant and insightful research.