Assessment & Evaluation Master s Certificate and Master s Degree. Program Handbook

Assessment & Evaluation Master s Certificate and Master s Degree Program Handbook College of Education Education Foundations & Leadership http://www.uakron.edu/education/academic-programs/efl/programs/assess-eval/ Revised Summer 201

TABLE OF CONTENTS Topic Page Number Program Description and Objectives 2 Requirements for Degree Completion.. Master s Certificate Program 2 Master s Degree Program. Master s Project Guidelines.. 4 E-portfolio Guidelines and Tk20 Instructions... 7 Reflective Narrative Instructions... 8 Admission to the University of Akron.. 9 After Admission.. Advisor Assignment.. 10 Complete Program Course Distribution (PCD). 10 Typical Course Cycle (subject to change). 11 Registering for Courses 11 Accessing Courses 11 Graduation... Applying for Graduation 12 Program Contacts 12 Frequently Asked Questions.. 14 Links to University Academic Resources... 16 Forms Master s Certificate Program Course Distribution (PCD)... 17 Master s Degree Program Course Distribution (PCD). 18 eportfolio Completion Verification Signature Page.. 19 Master s Project Proposal 20 Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 1

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES The Assessment and Evaluation program offers a certificate and master s degree. All the courses are offered fully online. There are no face-to-face meetings required, but our program faculty may schedule synchronous online meetings, which could be required. Some sections of the Educational Foundations courses are also offered face-to-face. The Educational Foundations courses are core courses required of all graduate students in the College of Education. Program Description In this program, educators are prepared to be leaders in the area of educational assessment and evaluation. We focus on literacy in assessment planning and development, the evaluation process, and data-driven decision making process. The program applies to educators across all disciplines, content areas, and grade levels. Coursework is individualized to align with each graduate student s work setting and professional interests. Program Objectives Design and implement formative and summative assessments Analyze and interpret assessment data to improve teaching and learning Apply evaluation theory and diverse approaches to authentic settings Implement assessment and evaluation to impact practices at the classroom, P-16 or postsecondary educational setting, district, and state levels or within community programs. Locate, analyze, interpret, and use multiple data sources to make data-evidenced decisions. Graduate Bulletin Refer to the current graduate bulletin for additional information on programs, courses, and University information. http://www.uakron.edu/gradsch/docs/gradbulletin.pdf MASTER S CERTIFICATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE COMPLETION You will complete 18 credit hours to earn the certificate. credit hours are required in Educational Foundations in the area of Research Techniques. 15 credit hours are required in the Assessment & Evaluation Core. These courses focus on providing you with a background in and practical applications of assessment, evaluation, and data-driven decision making. A list of the courses, course descriptions, and credit hours are provided in Table 1. Table 1. Assessment and Evaluation Certificate Program Course Information Foundations Courses ( credit hours) Course Course Title & Brief Description Number 5100:640 Techniques of Research Focuses on research methods commonly used in education and social sciences, as well as preparation of research reports. Credit Hours Core Courses (15 credit hours) Course Course Title & Brief Description Credit Hours Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 2

Number 5100:642 Introduction to Classroom Assessment for Teachers Focuses on formative and summative assessment techniques, assessment planning aligned with SLOs, and how to use assessment data to make datadriven decisions to inform teaching and student learning. 5100:650 Implementing Assessment Techniques in the Classroom Prerequisite: 642 Focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a 9-week assessment plan, evaluating the quality of established, instruments, and developing traditional and online surveys. 5100:652 Introduction to Educational Evaluation Introduction to core concepts of educational evaluation including: the purposes, process, standards, and approaches (models) of evaluation. Also focuses on interpreting evaluation reports. 5100:65 Practical Applications of Educational Evaluation Prerequisite: 652 Focuses on the application of evaluation concepts and models to real world evaluations. 5100:651 Data-Driven Decision Making for Educators Facilitates the understanding and utilization of data to identify classroom and school improvement needs and making informed decisions in effecting change. Students learn the multiple data sources, to identify improvement and correct progress, and to demonstrate success or areas for improvement to stakeholders. MASTER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE COMPLETION You must complete 0 credit hours to graduate. 9 credit hours are required in Educational Foundations in the three areas of Philosophy, Psychology, and Research Techniques. 21 credit hours are required in the Assessment & Evaluation Core. These courses focus on providing you with a background in and practical applications of assessment, evaluation, and data-driven decision making. Finally, you are required to complete a Master s project in which you will design and conduct a project of your choice. In lieu of a comprehensive written exam, you will submit a culminating portfolio that demonstrates mastery of program goals. A list of the courses, course descriptions, and credit hours are provided below. Table 2. Assessment and Evaluation Master s Program Course Information Course Number 5100: 600 5100: 624 Foundations Courses (9 credit hours) Course Title & Brief Description Philosophies of Education Examination of basic questions that confront society, philosophical problems, and underlying broad educational questions that confront society. Provides a foundation for understanding the question of modern society and education. Educational Psychology In-depth study of research in selected areas of learning, development, evaluation, and motivation. 5100:640 Techniques of Research Focuses on research methods commonly used in education and social sciences, as well as preparation of research reports. Credit Hours Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation

Core Courses (15 credit hours) Course Course Title & Brief Description Number 5100:642 Introduction to Classroom Assessment for Teachers Focuses on formative and summative assessment techniques, assessment planning aligned with SLOs, and how to use assessment data to make datadriven decisions to inform teaching and student learning. 5100:650 Implementing Assessment Techniques in the Classroom Prerequisite: 642 Focuses on the development, implementation, and evaluation of a 9-week assessment plan, evaluating the quality of established, instruments, and developing traditional and online surveys. 5100:652 Introduction to Educational Evaluation Introduction to core concepts of educational evaluation including: the purposes, process, standards, and approaches (models) of evaluation. Also focuses on interpreting evaluation reports. 5100:65 Practical Applications of Educational Evaluation Prerequisite: 652 Focuses on the application of evaluation concepts and models to real world evaluations. 5100:651 Data-Driven Decision Making for Educators Facilitates the understanding and utilization of data to identify classroom and school improvement needs and making informed decisions in effecting change. Students learn the multiple data sources, to identify improvement and correct progress, and to demonstrate success or areas for improvement to stakeholders. Credit Hours MASTER S PROJECT GUIDELINES The project in Assessment and Evaluation is the culminating learning experience for the Master s Degree in Assessment and Evaluation. The project provides you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned throughout your coursework. The Masters Project consists of two courses 5100: 654 Master s Project in Assessment & Evaluation: Part 1 and 5100:654 Master s Project in Assessment & Evaluation: Part 2. Each course is semester hours. There are a variety of approaches that you can choose for your project. For example, your project can be an extension and elaboration of a course project, it can be aligned with your professional employment, or you can choose a novel or unique project related to a topic of professional interest. Of greatest importance, however, is that you select a project approach that best aligns with your personal and professional interests. Examples of projects include but are not limited to: Project Focus Evaluation Research Examples Designing and implementing a formative and/or summative evaluation of an education or community-based program Evaluating the a teacher s implementation of an educational program and the program s impact on student outcomes Using secondary data sets to address research questions to inform educational practices and decision-making. Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 4

Using ODE data to examine the achievement and growth of Ohio s eight major urban school districts Developing an online questionnaire to collect and interpret data about teacher grading practices Assessment Professional Development Developing or redesigning a comprehensive assessment plan to align with a specific curriculum Developing rating scales that educators could use to assess student participation Developing and implementing a professional development workshop related to an assessment and evaluation topic Offering an on-sight workshop Developing a website of assessment best practices Frequently Asked Questions 1. When should I start to plan for my master s project? You should begin planning for your project during the semester before you intend to enroll in 5100:654. You will work with your program advisor during the initial planning stages. You and your program advisor will discuss the various approaches for completing the project. Ultimately, your decision on which approach to select will be based on your personal and professional interests and goals. You and your program advisor will also discuss which program faculty member will be best suited to guide your project work. 2. What is the difference between my program advisor and my project advisor? Your program advisor was assigned to you when you were admitted to the master s degree program. Your program advisor talked with you about scheduling classes and about the general features and expectations of the program. As you begin work on your project, however, you will benefit most by working with program faculty who have specific expertise in your area of interest. It may be that a faculty member other than your program advisor is better suited to guide your project work. Perhaps you worked on a project in one of your courses that you wish to expand upon for your master s project. It is logical that you continue that work the course instructor. Your program advisor may or may not remain as your project advisor, and this is a decision that will be reached jointly. Once identified, your project advisor will require that you complete and submit a Project Plan. (See Page 20).. What is the Project Reader? The project reader is an individual who has expertise related to your project. You will submit your project final draft to both your project advisor and your project reader. Whereas your project advisor provide substantive advice and feedback throughout your project, the reader provides general feedback at the final stage of your project. The reader may or may not be your program advisor or may be an individual outside of the program. As you approach the final stages of your project you and your project advisor will identify a project reader. Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 5

4. Can I work on my master s project in the summer? The viability of working on your project during the summer semesters will depend on the availability of your project advisor and the nature of your project. For example, a project in which you plan to develop and implement a series of professional development workshops may not be well-suited for summer. In contrast, a project in which you design and develop an assessment plan may be better suited for summer work. Ultimately, the timeline for completing your project is something that you and your project advisor will develop. 5. Can I complete my master s project in one semester? The master s project requires comprehensive and in-depth work, and it is impossible to predict the exact amount of time you will need to complete the project. If your project represents unique work that you are starting from scratch, it is highly likely that you will need two semesters to complete the project. If your project is an extension and elaboration of work that you may have started as a class project, you may be able to complete the project in a shorter period of time. For example, if you choose to extend and implement the Evaluation Project you created in 5100:65 Practical Applications of Educational Evaluation, your project advisor may determine that your master s project can be completed in a shorter period of time. Keep in mind, however, that the Master s Degree in Assessment & Evaluation is a 0-hour program. If you are able to complete your project in a single semester, you and your program advisor will agree on an appropriate elective course to meet the 0-hour requirement for graduation. 6. Will I need IRB Approval? IRB stands for Institutional Review Board, and it is an entity at the University of Akron that oversees that research and evaluation projects meet ethical standards. You will learn more about the IRB and you will become CITI certified as part of your master s degree course work. Whether your project will require IRB approval depends entirely on the nature of your project. Your project advisor will guide you through the process of determining the need for IRB approval and the completion and submission of IRB applications and forms. Your project advisor is required to cosign IRB applications. 7. What materials will I submit when I complete the master s project? The materials that you submit will vary depending upon your project. For example, if you conduct an evaluation study, you will submit the final evaluation report. If you complete a research study, you will submit the research report. If you develop professional development materials, you would submit those materials. Your project advisor may request that you submit a narrative paper in which you summarize the work you have completed and the process you used; or, your project advisor may request that you make an informal presentation about your project. Ultimately, the format of the final project will vary based on the nature of the project. 8. Who grades my master s project? Your master s degree project will be evaluated by your project advisor and your project reader. The project is graded Satisfactory (credit) or Unsatisfactory (no credit). You will receive sufficient support and guidance from your project advisor as you complete the project. Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 6

ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES (For Master s Program) This description is organized in three main sections: I. Activating Your Tk20 Account II. Constructing Your Electronic Portfolio III. Submitting Your Portfolio for Review I. Using Tk20 For Your Electronic Portfolio TK20 is an electronic portfolio system that the College of Education uses in multiple ways. In the master s degree program in Assessment and Evaluation, TK20 is used as a way to track your successful completion of course related learning objectives and to construct your program-level portfolio. The portfolio is a required component of the master s degree. Tk20 requires a one-time fee of $100. The fee should be automatically charged to your tuition, and your Tk20 account is active for 50 years. If you do not see Tk20 charged to your tuition bill, then email coetk20@uakron.edu and report this discrepancy. You will need to provide your name and student ID number. You are responsible in the first semester of your graduate studies to activate your Tk20 account. Your courses will automatically be uploaded to your account. If you are not sure if you have a Tk20 account or do not know your User ID and password, please contact Brenda Reichert at br@uakron.edu. Tutorials for logging in to your account and uploading documents can be found at http://www.uakron.edu/education/current-students/tk20/ II. Constructing Your Electronic Portfolio Your electronic portfolio will be stored in Tk20 and will consist of: (a) the key artifacts from each of your core classes, and (b) a reflective narrative. You are NOT required to submit artifacts from the foundations courses. If you are prompted to submit artifacts from those courses, please contact the instructor for the course. Key Artifacts Of the 12 required artifacts identified in Table 1, at least 10 must be rated at the Acceptable or Accomplished level, with no more than 2 rated at the Needs Improvement level. Table. Required Portfolio Artifacts Core Core Course Name Artifact Course No. 5100: 642 Introduction to Classroom Assessment 1. Candidate Created Assessment Project 2. Letter to Guardian Interpreting Test Results 5100: 650 Implementing Assessment Techniques 1. Policy Document 2. Instrument Review. Survey 5100: 651 Data-Driven Decision Making for Educators 1. Decision-Making Descriptive Project 2. Decision-Making Inferential Project 5100: Introduction to Educational 1. Response to an Evaluation Call Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 7

652 Evaluation 2. Critique of an Evaluation Report 5100: Practical Applications of 1. Evaluation Proposal 65 Educational Evaluation 5100: 655 Master s Project Part 2 1. Masters Project 2. Reflective Narrative* *Reflective Narrative The purpose of the essay is for you to reflect on your attainment of programmatic goals, to discuss your personal and professional growth during the program, and to discuss your needs for future growth. Therefore, your narrative should include the following sections/headings. Introduction Attainment of Program Goals Personal & Professional Growth Future Goals Summary The Reflective Narrative is a 4 to 7 page written essay, double spaced, 1" margin, and in font size 12. The following questions are provided to help you think about your Reflective Narrative. Review them often as they may facilitate and guide your learning throughout your master's program. Thoughtfully consider the following questions and you reflect on your experiences in the master's program. Use your responses to construct a well-organized, coherent narrative that describes your growth as a leader in the field of assessment and evaluation. Identify what you have learned in this master's program. Include those processes and strategies that facilitated your learning. Evaluate the value, strengths, and applicability of your learning. What were the most important ideas, models, constructs, technical skills, academic resources, and/or perspectives you learned, hope to use, or will continue to use? How do your artifacts demonstrate your competence and growth in assessment and evaluation? In retrospect, what did you hope to learn in this master's program? Were your goals achieved? In retrospect, what questions did you have when you entered the program that were not answered to your satisfaction? In reviewing your work accomplished during the master's program, are there any learning objectives or goals that you have not achieved? If so, what plans do you have to achieve them? Where do you believe your knowledge and skills will take you from here? What have you learned about yourself through this master's program? In what ways have you/will you change your educational practices as a result of your engagement in this master's program? Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 8

III. Submitting Your Electronic Portfolio Submitting your final electronic portfolio for review is a 2-step process: (1) Create an electronic portfolio in Tk20. The electronic portfolio includes the final key artifacts from each core class listed in Table 1. There will be 12 artifacts in your portfolio. Follow the instructions in the Tk20 Student Help Manual for creating a portfolio. The instructions begin on page 44. Label the portfolio as follows: Name Semester Program Example: John Smith Fall 201 Assessment and Evaluation Portfolio Label each tab as follows: Course number Semester Completed Artifact Name Example: 5100: 642 Spring 201 Candidate Created Assessment Project (2) Email your advisor the electronic portfolio link by the dates listed below. Fall Graduation November 10 Spring Graduation April 10 Summer Graduate August 1 Your advisor will confirm that all required artifacts have been submitted and rated at the level of Acceptable (2) or Accomplished (). Your advisor will sign the Assessment & Evaluation Master s Portfolio Verification of Completion Form and notify you that the form has been submitted to the Graduate School. ADMISSION INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON To apply to the Graduate School, you must apply to admissions and meet the admission requirements tot eh University of Akron Graduate School. After you apply, and if you meet the Graduate School requirements, your application is forwarded to the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership for review to determine admission to the Assessment and Evaluation program. The Graduate School advises that the admission process takes approximately 4 6 weeks. Often the admission timeframe is dependent on the submission of external documents such as transcripts from other universities. Please submit your application for admission to the Graduate School well in advance to the semester you plan on beginning courses. Graduate School Homepage General information regarding graduate school admission, graduation, graduate assistantships, etc. can be found at: http://www.uakron.edu/gradsch/ Graduate Bulletin General information regarding graduate school admission and courses can be found at: http://www.uakron.edu/gradsch/docs/gradbulletin.pdf Apply Online Please apply on-line at the Graduate School web link. You will be applying for one of the two following degrees: Assessment and Evaluation Master s Certificate Master s in Assessment and Evaluation degree Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 9

http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/graduate/ Transfer of Credit For questions regarding the transfer of graduate credit, first review the graduate school policies: http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/graduate/admission_requirements/transfer_of_credit.dot Then, please speak with your advisor. Typically, the university will consider transfer of 9 credits from another institution towards a master s degree as long as a transcript and course description is included. Course Applicability System Helps you to find information regarding what credits transfer from Ohio Universities to other Ohio Universities and military institutions. http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/graduate/admission_requirements/transfer_of_credit.dot Cost and Billing For information of the cost of graduate school and billing information go to the following website. http://www.uakron.edu/dotasset/172606.pdf Financial Aid Paying for college is a vital part of the education process! it is important to be informed of the many sources of aid available. Student loans are available to degree-seeking graduate students. Information on student loans can be found through the Office of Student Financial Aid. http://www.uakron.edu/gradsch/financial-assistance/ Registering for Classes Contact the Outreach office if you are in a cohort. If you are not in an Outreach Cohort, schedule your courses on the University of Office Registrar website at http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/ You will need your Student ID and UAkron account set up prior to registering. Do not wait to schedule, classes fill up quickly and you don t want to be closed out of a course. Getting Your Grades Go to My Akron to view your course grades. https://id.uakron.edu/idp/authn/userpassword These are generally available the week following the end of the semester. If you have questions regarding your grade, you should first contact your instructor. AFTER ADMISSION COMPLETE ONLINE PCD You will receive an email from the Graduate School notifying you that you are admitted to the College of Education, Assessment and Evaluation program and the name of your advisor. Once admitted, please contact your assigned advisor regarding completing your program course distribution form (PCD) (i.e., plan of study). Your course schedule will differ depending on when you start your program, what credits you might have transferred in, and how many courses you will take each semester. There are two pre-requisite rules for taking Assessment and Evaluation courses: 1) 5100: 642 Introduction to Classroom Assessment is a pre-requisite for 5100: 650 Implementing Assessment Techniques. 2) 5100: 652 Introduction to Educational Evaluation is a pre-requisite for 5100: 65. Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 10

Please plan your PCD according to the following Cyclical Schedule (Table 4) specifying when courses are offered. Your advisor will then send your PCD to a College of Education Student Services Counselor who will enter your PCD information to be on record in the university auditing system. The representative will send you a confirmation notice via email that your PCD was updated. Any changes to your PCD should be discussed with your advisor so that the information can be updated into the system. If you have any questions about the recommended schedule and need to make some adjustments, please contact your program advisor. You may reach your program advisor via email: Dr. Kristin L. K. Koskey: koskey@uakron.edu Dr. Susan Kushner Benson: snk@uakron.edu Dr. Xin Liang: liang@uakron.edu Dr. Mark Shermis: mshermis@uakron.edu Table 4. Assessment and Evaluation Typical Cyclical Schedule Course Title Offer Semesters Fall Spring Summer 5100: 600 Philosophies of Education X X X 5100: 624 Educational Psychology X X X 5100: 640 Techniques of Research X X X 5100: 642 Introduction to Classroom Assessment X X X 5100: 650 Implementing Assessment Techniques X 5100: 651 Data-Driven Decision Making for Educators X 5100: 652 Introduction to Educational Evaluation X 5100: 65 Practical Applications of Educational Evaluation X 5100: 654 and 5100: 655 Master s Project Part 1 and Part 2 X X X REGISTERING FOR COURSES It is your responsibility to register for courses. We recommend you register for courses when registration opens for the semester given that many courses, particualrly the online foundation courses, fill the first week of registration. You must have your UAnet ID and password set up in order to gain access to the courses. Please visit the following website for how to set up your UAnet ID: https://auth.uakron.edu/zid/app/info_nologin.cgi Dates for Registration: http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/dates/ General Information on Registration Registrar: The following website offers links to the correct places to register for classes, check course grades, find transcript requests and much more. http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/ ACCESSING COURSES Courses are accessed through Springboard on MyAkron. You must have your UAnet ID and password set up in order to gain access to the courses. Courses are typically released to students at 12:00am the class start day. Simply sign onto Springboard and your course links will be there. Click on the course link to enter the course. Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 11

The on-line course management system directions can be found at: http://www.uakron.edu/training/springboard.dot APPLYING FOR GRADUATION Master s Certificate: To graduate, you need to complete the coursework requirements. Master s Degree: To graduate, you need to complete the coursework requirements and eportfolio requirement. To check on your progress as you go through the program, you can go My Akron and check your Degree Audit Report (DARS) DARS Report. Here is a guide for how to check your DARS report: http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/services/darsstudent.dot. This advising report shows all your transferred work, as well as your current courses and completed courses at The University of Akron. If you have questions, you can contact your advisor. It is your responsibility to apply for graduation two semesters prior to when you plan to graduate: May 1 for December graduation; September 1 for May graduation; and February 1 for August graduation. You must apply for graduation online in My Akron. Here is a guide for you: http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/docs/my AkronGradApp.pdf This site provides information on due dates for graduation applications as well as the process for applying for graduation. http://www.uakron.edu/cba/cba-home/dept-cent-inst/gradadvising/graduation.dot Follow the graduation timelines closely: Apply online in My Akron by: May 1 for Fall ( December) Graduation Sept 1 for Spring ( May) Graduation Feb 1 for Summer ( August) Graduation http://www.uakron.edu/registrar/graduation/, such as Graduation Dates, Dates for application, how to apply, verify attendance, etc. Faculty Professors and Advisors PROGRAM CONTACTS Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 12

Educational Foundations and Leadership Dr. Kristin L. K. Koskey Assistant Professor Zook 01G koskey@uakron.edu (0) 972-289 Fax: 0-972-2452 Educational Foundations and Leadership Dr. Susan Kushner Benson Associate Professor Zook 01D snk@uakron.edu (0) 972-8577 Fax: 0-972-2452 Educational Foundations and Leadership Dr. Xin Liang Professor Zook 01H liang@uakron.edu (0) 972-6921 Fax: 0-972-2452 Educational Foundations and Leadership Dr. Mark Shermis Professor Crouse Hall 21 shermis@uakron.edu (0) 972-774 Fax: 0-972-5722 Department Contact Educational Foundations and Leadership Department Chair Dr. Sharon Kruse Zook 01 skruse@uakron.edu (0) 972-8177 Fax: 0-972-2452 Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 1

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. How long does it take to complete the program? It depends on the number of credits you are willing and able to take each semester, including fall, spring and summer sessions. It also depends on the number of previously taken graduate level credits that will transfer into the program. Most of our students take 6 semester hours while working full-time. If two courses (6 semester hours) are taken per semester for the Master s Certificate, students can complete in -4 semesters depending on when you begin the program (summer, fall, or spring). If 2 courses are taken per semester for the master s degree, students can complete in 5-6 semesters depending on how long your master s project takes to complete. 2. How many credits can I transfer to The University of Akron for this program? Only 1/ of your coursework may be transferred from another institution, so it is possible to transfer 9 semester hours. Typically the main coursework that is transferred is foundations courses. Only course work for which you have received a letter grade can be considered for transfer. Workshops and pass/fail courses are not accepted. Ultimately, it is up to your advisors to determine if course work from another university aligns with program requirements, and your advisor is likely to request a syllabus and course description to make this decision.. What are some professional organizations that relate to this field that I could join? American Evaluation Association American Educational Research Association*Several assessment and evaluation related sigs available to join. Also, many resources and opportunities for graduate students available. Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education Northwest Evaluation Association 4. Where can I look for job opportunities? There are several on-line sources you can that provide listings of full and part-time openings. Colleges and Universities Source Website The Chronicle of Higher Education http://www.chronicle.com Career Resources Homepage http://www.careerresource.net Higher Ed Jobs http://www.higheredjobs.com/ Academic 60 http://www.academic60.com/ Teaching Jobs Source Description Website Comprehensive list of agencies with jobs http://www.csuchico.edu/plc/teachjobs.html at the state, national, and international levels in K-16 Ohio Department of Education http://www.ode.state.oh.us General Job Search Sites Source Description Website A general site with numerous job listings http://www.collegegrad.com across the country for recent college Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 14

graduates. A specialized website from monster.com featuring entry-level positions A company that organizes company recruitment efforts for college students. http://www.monstertrak.com http://www.campuscareercenter.com 5. Where can I get information about financial aid & scholarships? One of the major concerns of adult students is finding the money to finance their education. Often, adult students are unaware of where to find help or what programs they may be eligible for. Graduate Financial Aid http://www.uakron.edu/gradsch/financial-assistance/ Adult Focus http://www.uakron.edu/uaaf/ Office of Student Financial Aid http://www.uakron.edu/finaid/ The College of Education http://www.uakron.edu/education/ College of Education Forms http://www.uakron.edu/education/current-students/student-services/student_forms.dot Graduate students are often eligible to receive graduate assistantships that pay for tuition and provide a modest stipend in return for specified hours of work (usually 20 hours per week for full-time graduate students). The term graduate assistant applies to those students under contract supported by University funds or external funds administered through the University. Graduate assistants have varied duties that may include full teaching responsibility for lower level courses, conducting discussion sessions, supervising laboratories, assisting faculty with research, or assisting departments in various ways. If you would like to be considered for an assistantship you must apply. New students may indicate on their Online Application for Admission that they would like to be considered for an assistantship. Three letters of recommendation are required. Current students must contact prospective academic or other units to check on the availability of such opportunities. All assistantships (and any fellowships) are offered through the various degree-granting colleges, departments, and schools. http://www.uakron.edu/gradsch/financialassistance/ 6. How much does the program cost? Cost of tuition and fees can be found at the following link: http://www.uakron.edu/admissions/graduate/tuition fees.dot 7. What if I have some disabilities or disability concerns? The Office of Accessibility is located in 105 Simmons Hall. This office helps students find and use appropriate accommodations for their disabilities. The Office can be contacted by: Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 15

Phone: (0)972-7928 TDD: (0)972-5764 Fax: (0)972-5422 E-mail: access@uakron.edu Website: http://www.uakron.edu/access/ Writing Lab and etutoring LINKS TO ACADEMIC RESOURCES http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/services/services-detail.dot?inode=6112&title=writing Lab Adult Focus A program which helps adult learners find scholarships, create effective study habits, and manage daily life when the classroom is not their first priority. Schrank Hall North, Room 260 0-972-579 adultfocus@uakron.edu http://www.uakron.edu/uaaf/ Career Services Services offered to students include individual counseling & information on career and educational programs to meet their interests or needs. Simmons Hall, Room 06 0-972-7082 http://www.uakron.edu/career/ Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 16

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The University of Akron The College of Education Office of Student Affairs DATE: TO: FROM: Graduate School Associate Dean SUBJECT: Please be advised of the completion of master s electronic portfolio requirements for: Student Name: Date Student ID #: Department: Faculty Advisor Date Routing/Signatures Department Chair Date Graduate Studies Associate Dean Date Graduate School For Your Records Date pc: Student File Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 19

Master s Degree in Assessment & Evaluation Project Proposal (Please Print) Name: Student Number Address: City: State: Zip: Email: Phone number: Title of proposed project: Intended Graduation (semester & year): Write a brief narrative, and attach the narrative to this form. Number your responses to coincide with the requested information. Provide copies of the completed proposal to your program advisor and your project advisor. 1. Write a 250-00 word description of your intended project. 2. What do you expect to learn from doing this project?. Describe the ways in which the final project will be used and to whom it will be of interest. 4. Describe what you anticipate the final end product will be that you will submit. 5. Create a time line for completing your project. Your project will need to be submitted to your project advisor and project reader at least weeks before the end of the semester in which you intend to graduate. This project is approved by: Project Advisor (Print name) (Signature/date) Program Advisor (Print name) (Signature/date) Graduate Program in Assessment and Evaluation 20