Education Assessment, Evaluation, and Data Literacy

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. Credits earned for the certificate may be applied toward the Educational Psychology, MS.

What it costs

The cost is $707.00 per credit hour for VA state residents, $907.00 per credit hour for Non-VA residents, and $609.20 per credit hour for VA state residents who are eligible and apply for the 15% PreK-12 VA Educators Discount. See the Cost tab below for a breakdown of tuition and fees. All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.

Application Deadline

For all application information and deadlines, see the CEHD Admissions page.

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DETAILS COURSES COST CAREERS CONTACT READY TO APPLY?

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

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

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 12

This certificate may be pursued on a part-time basis only.

Required Courses

EDEP 591 Data-Driven Decision Making for Continuous Educational Improvement | 3 credits
EDEP 592 Data-Driven Decision-Making: Development of Assessments | 3 credits
EDEP 593 Data-Driven Decision Making: Analysis and Interpretation of Assessment Data | 3 credits
EDEP 594 Data-Driven Decision-Making Application in Education Contexts | 3 credits

Tuition (2019-2020)

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT HOUR
Virginia Resident	$506.00
Non-Virginia Resident	$852.00
VA Resident and Prek-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program*	$408.20
Distance Learning Fee	$35.00
Mandatory Student fee (applicable only to Virginia residents)	$146.00
CEHD Course Fee	$20.00
Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit	$707.00
Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit	$907.00
Total cost for VA Resident and Prek-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program*	$609.20
Graduate New Student Fee	$60 (non-refundable, one-time fee)

Please Note: Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher CEHD course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.

*VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-12 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Discount applies to tuition and mandatory student fees only.

Financial Aid

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.

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

USEFUL RESOURCES
Program Contact	Divya Varier Phone: (703) 993-5047 Email: dvarier@gmu.edu
Academic Advising	Phone: (703) 993-3679 Email: edpsych@gmu.edu
Department Website	gse.gmu.edu/educational-psychology/academics/
CEHD Online Website	https://cehd.gmu.edu/academics/online
Follow CEHD on Twitter	@MasonCEHD

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

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
Departmental Form

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the CEHD Admissions Office at cehdgrad@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2010.

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