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Education Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Literacy (Graduate Certificate)

Program Summary

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Credits: 12 total

Degree: Graduate Certificate

College/School: College of Education and Human Development

Start Date: 8/25/2025

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Program Description

This 12-credit certificate prepares teachers, building-level and district-level leaders to create, analyze and interpret a variety of student performance assessments in order to improve instruction and student learning. The four carefully-sequenced courses for the certificate focus on developing meaningful teacher-created and classroom-based student assessments, interpreting both informal and formal assessment data, and using those data in making curricular decisions. Practicing teachers and other school leaders have the opportunity to apply assessment and decision-making skills to their own classrooms or schools.

Career Opportunities

There are many Educational Psychology career opportunities. Schools and educational institutions, community organizations and learning centers as well as government and private research centers work with these professionals to improve their learning systems. The most popular professions in Education Assessment, Evaluation, and Data literacy are:

  • Community college instructor
  • Consultant in testing and research settings (e.g., schools, industry, and government)
  • Curriculum specialist
  • Data analyst (e.g., schools, industry, and government)
  • Evaluation and research specialist in school districts in central accountability offices
  • Project manager (e.g., assessment and training of employees)
  • Research assistant or associate on grant-funded research teams
  • Researcher on program development, evaluation, and assessment
  • Supervisor of assessment and planning
  • Academic assessment officer in higher education settings
  • Independent consultant

Courses

Program requirements may change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Details

Why earn an Education Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Literacy graduate certificate with a concentration in Data Literacy?

Benefits:

  • Understand how to use data to answer questions about student academic achievement and/or behavior
  • Understand when and how to use different measurement strategies
  • Become a better consumer of data:
    • as a classroom teacher
    • as a school administrator
    • as an instructional coach
    • as a test coordinator
  • Apply courses toward recertification for teacher licensure
  • Transfer up to 12 credit hours into the Master’s degree in Educational Psychology (with permission from academic coordinator)

Skill Development in:

  • Data collection, analysis, interpretation, and use of results for decision making
  • Development and application of formative assessments for self-selected areas of instruction
  • Reporting of assessment results to pertinent stakeholders
  • Use of appropriate evaluation methods for DDDM

School-based Cohort:

  • Cohorts geared toward the classroom or district level (e.g., teacher, school administrator)
  • Flexible instructional delivery
  • Content specific cohorts ( e.g., special education, science, math, other)
  • Problem-based learning experiences
  • Application of skills to real-world problems
  • Courses taught by the faculty in the Educational Psychology Program
  • Qualified public school personnel may co-teach courses when applicable
  • Learn to provide data-driven instruction to improve student success

Tuition and Financial Aid

Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.

Ready to Apply?

For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.

All applicants should review the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Admissions page.

Application Materials

  • Graduate application
  • Application fee
  • Goals statement (750-1000 words) that addresses reasons for choosing this program
  • Two sealed official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (applicants do not need to send in transcripts for courses taken at George Mason University)
  • Three letters of recommendation
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If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the CEHD Admissions Office at [email protected] or (703) 993-2010.

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Contact

Program Contact

Divya Varier
Phone: (703) 993-5047
Email: [email protected]

Academic Advising
Phone: (703) 993-3679
Email: [email protected]

Department Website

Educational Psychology

CEHD Online Website

College of Education and Human Development


Educational Psychology

Graduate School of Education
4400 University Drive, 6D2
West Building, 2100
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Fax: (703) 993-3678