PhD in Education with an emphasis in Research & Evaluation Methodology

Research & Evaluation Methodology (REM) is a community for intellectually curious, and academically motivated students who want to learn about quantitative research methods for analyzing research methodology with an eye toward influencing education policy and practice with the goals of facilitating learning and increasing equity, particularly for marginalized groups. Students frequently specialize in either mastering psychometrics and educational assessment or in applying statistics towards program and policy analysis, though some students pursue additional approaches.

   All REM students can expect to be involved in the . CADRE’s mission is to produce generalizable knowledge, to assess and improve student learning, and to evaluate programs and methods that may have a meaningful effect on student learning and promote more equitable student outcomes. CADRE projects represent a collaboration with the School of Education, CU Boulder, and the broader national and international communities of scholars and stakeholders involved in educational assessment and evaluation. .

Financial Support

All of our doctoral students are awarded generous funding packages. Stipends and grants cover tuition costs and provide experiential graduate assistantships that further prepare you for your future as a researcher, educator, and leader in the field. Fellowship and assistantship packages are awarded on a competitive basis and vary for each student. All funding packages guarantee coverage for five years of full-time study.

A typical package will include a total of a 50% appointment (~20hr/week) through a Graduate Research Assistantship and/or Teaching Assistantship, full tuition remission and a fellowship to assist with student fees, the majority of the CU Student Health Gold Insurance Plan, and a stipend of approximately $23,464 per academic year. Please note that these figures are subject to change and summer funding is not guaranteed.

Admissions Requirements

Some Suggested Questions and Guidelines to Consider in Crafting an Effective Statement of Purpose:

  • What research area(s) you are interested in and, specifically, which professors at CU Boulder would be a good potential fit. Consult the areas of specialization for REM faculty to find specific overlaps of your interests with ours.
  • Provide information about relevant past work and research experience. Be specific about your role and what you found exciting. How did the experience prepare or motivate you to do research?
  • We recognize that not all students were able to access such opportunities. We welcome other work or personal experiences that, even if not directly relevant, demonstrate your experience in overcoming challenges or working with others.
  • Include your motivation and goals for pursuing a PhD. What do you hope to do with your PhD?

Additional suggestions

  • You may choose to include any unique background or experience that would help you bring an unusual perspective to CU.
  • You may also choose to explain any unusual circumstances and how they have affected you, such as gaps in your resume or challenges you have faced.
  • Apart from the above, an overly-lengthy personal background is generally not helpful.
  • Generally, a statement should be no longer than 3-5 double-paged pages
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts are required after admission)
  • Optional GRE test score
    • REM encourages students to demonstrate their motivation and preparation for studying advanced quantitative methods. This could be satisfied through GRE scores or any number of alternative methods, such as prior work or research experience.
  • TOEFL scores for international students
  • Application Fee ($60 domestic application/$80 international) along with the application

Admission to all our graduate programs is competitive and based on multiple criteria, including undergraduate academic record, scores on exams, letters of recommendation, personal statement, evidence of special accomplishments, and relevant past experience. Criteria are considered holistically. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Deadline

  • December 1, domestic
  • November 15, international 

  For more information about courses and program requirements, . 

We warmly invite you to apply for the Doctoral Mentorship Pathway Program for 2024-25

This program is designed to create a pathway for historically underrepresented and marginalized education scholars and practitioners who are considering doctoral studies in Fall 2025. We hope to use this program to make the sometimes mystifying process of applying to a PhD program more visible, to provide an opportunity for you to get to know our students and faculty, and participate in sessions where we’ll talk about how to apply and what the realities are for students of color studying in a predominantly white research institution. 

  Applications due Aug. 5—apply today!

Meet Our Faculty

Derek Briggs

ProfessorDirector
Research & Evaluation MethodologyCADRE

Elena Diaz-Bilello

Associate DirectorFaculty Affiliate
CADREResearch & Evaluation Methodology

Mimi Engel

Associate Professor
Research & Evaluation Methodology

Benjamin Shear

Assistant Professor
Research & Evaluation Methodology

Program Chair

Oded Gurantz

Associate Professor and Program Chair
Research & Evaluation Methodology

Interested in our graduate programs?

Graduate students

We offer Colorado’s top-ranked graduate education in multiple program areas and would love to to provide you with relevant information about our programs. We look forward to learning about your graduate studies journey!

Fall 2023 Information Sessions

   School of Education Graduate Studies Preview Day (in-person)

Please join the School of Education for our Graduate Studies Preview Day on Saturday, Nov. 9. This program will be hosted in person and is open for all prospective Master's and PhD students. The program will include an overview of the application process and education program areas, breakout sessions with faculty by program area of interest, and a current graduate student panel for Q&A. Registration is required.