

The Certificate in Institutional Research prepares professionals for higher education careers as institutional research officers and analysts. 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.
The curriculum for the Certificate in Institutional Research prepares professionals for higher education careers as institutional research officers and analysts.
Course | Course Title | Credit |
---|---|---|
MESA7466 | Evaluation Practice and Methods This course introduces the process of conducting evaluations from beginning to end. Evaluation is a form of applied social science research focused on systematically assessing the value--merit, worth, or significance--of interventions. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to evaluation, this course draws on scholarly articles and examples from multiple fields including education, public health, social services, and international development and addressing evaluation at various scales including program, organizational, and systems-level evaluations. By the end of the course, students will gain knowledge of how to carry out evaluations; apply this knowledge to develop evaluation plans for real-world interventions; and gain skills to critique existing evaluations supporting their development as informed, critical consumers of evaluations. | 3 |
MESA6468 OR MESA6469 | Introductory Statistics An introduction to descriptive statistics. Topics include methods of data summarization and presentation; measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and linear regression; the normal distribution; probability; and an introduction to hypothesis testing. Provides computer instruction on PC and Mac platforms and in the SPSS statistical package. OR Intermediate Statistics Topics and computer exercises address tests of means, partial and part correlations, multiple regression, analysis of variance with planned and post hoc comparisons, analysis of covariance, repeated measures analysis, elements of experimental design, and power analysis. | 3 |
MESA7462 OR MESA8864 | Assessment and Test Construction This course addresses the major issues in educational assessment, with emphasis on the characteristics, administration, scoring, and interpretation of both formal and informal assessments, including, but not limited to, tests of achievement. All forms of assessment are examined including observation, portfolios, performance tasks, and paper-and-pencil tests, including standardized tests. Basic techniques of test construction, item writing, and analysis are included. Statewide testing programs are also examined. OR Survey Methods in Educational Social Research This course is designed to familiarize students with the strategies, techniques, tactics, and issues in the development and administration of survey instruments. It will emphasize theoretical, measurement, and practical considerations in the development of attitudinal instruments. The development and analysis of data resulting from several types of measurement scales will be covered. | 3 |
MESA6460 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Research This course will improve a students' understanding of the empirical research literature in education and psychology. It concentrates on developing the conceptual foundations of empirical research and the practical analytic skills needed by a competent reader and user of research articles. Topics address purpose statements, hypotheses, sampling techniques, sample sizes and power, instrument development, internal and external validity, and typical quantitative research designs. Exercises emphasize the critical evaluation of published research. Each student will develop a research proposal. | 3 |
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required, however, this fee is waived for select applicants.
In addition to your academic history and relevant work experience, please include:
To be uploaded to your online Application Form.
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.
All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts must be sent to our office before the application deadline. Please note the following:
Only official sealed (unopened) transcripts are acceptable. An official postsecondary transcript must be printed on official institutional paper and include at least one of the following: an institutional watermark, the registrar’s signature, or the registrar's seal.
Copies and unofficial transcripts sent directly from applicants are not acceptable, the transcript must come directly from the institution.
If you are a current student and have not completed your undergraduate and/or graduate degree, the most updated version of your transcript is acceptable.
Official electronic transcripts are accepted when sent directly to gsoe@bc.edu from the institution. When requesting electronic transcripts, you must manually type in gsoe@bc.edu to ensure it is received by our office.
Mailed transcript(s) should be sent to the following address:
Lynch Office of Graduate Admissions, Boston College
Campion Hall 135
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
gsoe@bc.edu
617-552-4214