Ph.D. in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation

Applications for admission are accepted twice a year to begin doctoral studies in the Fall or Spring semester.

The following documents/activities must be submitted in support of the application:

• Official transcript(s) of all academic work attempted since high school indicating a GPA of 3.5 (on a scale of 4.0) in a graduate degree program*
• Official report of score on the GRE or MAT that is no more than 5 years old*
• At least three references* of someone who knows the applicant’s current work and/or academic achievements in previous degree work
• A two page essay describing prior educational and research experiences and objectives for pursuing doctoral studies*
• A current resume or vita
• A professional writing sample (e.g., published article, manuscript submitted for publication, term paper submitted in prior coursework, abstract of thesis, teaching manual)
• International students must submit official and acceptable English language proficiency test scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). All tests must have been taken within the past two years**

*These items are required of applicants to any of UNC Charlotte’ s doctoral programs.

**See the Graduate School’s website for minimum acceptable scores.

Students are admitted for either full-time study or intensive part-time study and begin in the Fall or Spring semester.  Students must complete their degree, including the dissertation, within nine years.  The minimum time for completion for a full-time student is 3 years. 

Beginning Summer 2026, the following course progression will go into effect:

Core Courses (9 credit hours)

• RSCH 8196 – Program Evaluation Methods (3)
• RSCH 8210 – Applied Research Methods (3)
• RSCH 8220 – Educational & Psychological Measurement (3)

Research Methods and Advanced Content Courses (21 credit hours)

• RSCH 8110 – Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (3)
• RSCH 8111 – Qualitative Research Methods (3)
• RSCH 8120 – Advanced Statistics (3)
• RSCH 8121 – Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis (3)
• RSCH 8197 – Design and Analysis of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Evaluations (3)
• RSCH 8230 – Theory and Applications of Measurement (3)
• RSCH 8140 – Multivariate Statistics (3) or 
• RSCH 8150 – Structural Equation Modeling (3) or
• RSCH 8160 – Hierarchical Linear Models in Education (3)

Major Area of Focus Courses (21 credit hours)

Students select an area of specialization in the research degree program. This offers students the opportunity to develop advanced expertise in an area relevant to their future professional research practice. The 21-credit-hour area of focus is approved by the student’s advisor and the Graduate Program Director and must align with the themes in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation. The most common areas of expertise include Educational Measurement, Educational Evaluation, Educational Research Methodology, and Applied Research in specific educational content areas. Commonly offered RSCH courses are listed here.  Graduate-level courses selected from ADMN, EDCI, RSCH, EIST, PSYC, PPOL, or SOCY may be applied.

• RSCH 8112 – Survey Research Methods (3)
• RSCH 8113 – Single-Case Research (3)
• RSCH 8131 – Interview as Qualitative Inquiry (3)
• RSCH 8150 – Structural Equation Modeling (3)
• RSCH 8160 – Hierarchical Linear Models in Education (3)
• RSCH 8410 – Internship in Educational Research (3)
• RSCH 8411 – Internship in Teaching Educational Research (3)
• RSCH 8890 – Special Topics in Educational Research (3)

Proposal Design (3 credit hours)

• RSCH 8699 – Dissertation Proposal Design (3)

Dissertation (minimum 6 credit hours)

The purpose of the dissertation is for doctoral students to demonstrate their ability to synthesize the professional literature and generate new knowledge for the profession through the use of well-established research tools.  For the Ph.D. in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation, the dissertation may be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods.  Whatever type of design, it must adhere to current standards for quality as reflected in professional writing on the chosen method of research design and reflected in the current literature. Students may also select the three-article dissertation format in consultation with their advisor.  Students must be continuously enrolled for dissertation research credits through and including the semester of graduation.  Defense of the dissertation is conducted in a final oral examination that is open to the University community.

Portfolio Requirement

In addition to coursework and the dissertation, students must complete a portfolio that serves as a Qualifying Examination and includes demonstration of writing, collaboration, and research skills. Students receive opportunities to build this portfolio through the research and practice coursework. Products in the portfolio include:  reflective statement, literature review, empirical journal article submission, empirical journal article review, conference presentation, and professional organization involvement.