Purpose

The COE Measurement & Statistics (M&S) program is pleased to now offer a Graduate Certificate in Psychometrics & Applied Analytics (PAA). The PAA certificate is intended to equip non-M&S graduate students at the University of Washington with training in, and transcriptable evidence of, successfully completing an intensive series of quantitative methods courses in psychometrics and applied analytics. The certificate requires 15 credits of M&S coursework focused on latent variable measurement and analysis within an equity-oriented framework, along with a presentation on a final project featuring advanced quantitative methodology. Certificate holders will be prepared for future work involving critical evaluation of measurement instruments (e.g., surveys and assessments) as well as conducting regression-oriented analyses using open-source statistical software (e.g., R).

Eligibility

Any student currently matriculated in a UW graduate program is eligible to participate.

How to Apply

Students should apply as early as possible for planning purposes, and must apply within the first two weeks of their graduating quarter. There is no fee to apply or complete the certificate.

Complete the application form here.

Certificate Requirements

Students must successfully complete a series of M&S courses and present on a final project. Students have a maximum of 5 years to count their coursework and presentation toward certificate requirements.

Coursework

Students are required to successfully complete a total of five classes spanning a minimum of 15 graded credits from the list of graduate courses (below), within a 5-year period, and with a grade of 3.3 or higher in each course. (All courses applied to the certificate must come from the approved PAA certificate list shown below.)

  1. Multiple regression 1, 2, Edpsy 538 (3 credits) (formerly Edpsy 594) (Winter or Spring)
  2. Classic test theory/reliability, Edpsy 539 (3 credits) (formerly Edpsy 592) (Spring)
  3. One of the following intermediate courses:
    1. Structural equation modeling I, Edpsy 575 (3 credits) (Spring)
    2. Item response theory I, Edpsy 591 (3 credits) (formerly Edpsy 595) (Fall)
  4. Two of the following advanced courses:
    1. Validity theory, Edpsy 559 (3 credits) (pre-req: Edpsy 539) (Winter)
    2. Multilevel modeling, Edpsy 576 (3 credits) (Fall)
    3. Structural equation modeling II, Edpsy 588 (3 credits) (pre-req: Edpsy 575) (Fall, alt years)
    4. Item response theory II, Edpsy 592 (3 credits) (pre-req: Edpsy 591) (Winter, alt years)
    5. Cognitive diagnostic modeling, Edpsy 593 (3 credits) (pre-req: Edpsy 591) (Spring, alt years)
    6. Computerized adaptive testing, Edpsy 594 (3 credits) (pre-req: Edpsy 591) (Spring, alt years)
    7. Experimental design & analysis, Edpsy 596 (3 credits) (pre-req: Edpsy 576) (Spring, alt years)
    8. Network measurement & analysis, Edpsy 597 (3 credits) (pre-req: Edpsy 576) (Spring, alt years)

1. Students who have taken a previous course in multiple regression within the last five years can have the course evaluated for content equivalence by Dr. Sanders or Dr. Olvera Astivia (contingent upon transcript and syllabus/homework documentation to make an appraisal).

2. Students approved to waive the multiple regression course must take one additional 3-credit intermediate or advanced M&S course.

Presentation

Students are required to give a professional 15-20 minute presentation on one of their advanced class course projects during the M&S Friday seminar (seminar is generally midday on Fridays throughout the 9-month academic year). Students should contact Dr. Elizabeth Sanders at lizz@uw.edu to schedule their project presentation at least four weeks in advance of graduation/certificate completion.

Completion

After completing the coursework and presentation, students must fill out a completion form here. Once signed, the COE Office of Student Services, along with M&S faculty, will review the information provided for verification. Once verified, the UW Graduate School will be notified and the certificate will be awarded. Again, there is no fee to apply or complete the certificate.

Completion Form