Benefits

• The M.A. degree program in research methodology emphasizes a broad range of research methods including both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Students in the M.A. program are encouraged to develop research projects independently and in conjunction with faculty, who are themselves engaged in research collaborations throughout the Chicago area.

Degree Requirements

Total Hours: 24
Practicum: None
Comprehensive: None
Thesis: Required

Length of Program: A full-time student enrolled in three courses per semester can complete the course work in three semesters. The time for the thesis will vary depending on the nature of the student's research agenda. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program. (See GA&S Policy: Time Limit for Completion of Degree Requirements)

Curriculum Plan: Completion of the M.A. degree program requires 24 semester hours of graduate credit and a thesis. Students are expected to have completed one undergraduate course in statistics.

Technology Expectation
All students are provided Internet access to link electronically to classmates, faculty and student services. In order to use these technological resources, all students must have the computer skills necessary to support academic work (i.e., word processing, PowerPoint) and to access e-mail and the Internet.

Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in Research Methodology are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. (See GA&S Policy: Academic Standing – Continuous Registration) This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must do one of the following:

• Enroll in one of the following:
  • At least one course OR
  • RMTD 605 - Master's Studies OR
  • RMTD 595 - Thesis Supervision
• A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the Graduate School's Associate Dean.

Required Courses (18 semester hours)

• RMTD 400 Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• RMTD 404 Introduction to Educational Statistics
• RMTD 406 Evaluation Research
• RMTD 420 Educational Research I: Building a Body of Evidence with Qualitative Methods
• RMTD 421 Educational Research I: Building a Body of Evidence with Quantitative Methods
• RMTD 482 Introduction to Linear Models

Elective Courses (6 semester hours)
Courses must be taken in a substantive area of the social sciences with approval from the student's advisor.

Thesis
A thesis is required in the major area of research methodology.
Thesis Forms

Degree Conferral
While the commencement ceremony is every May, degrees can be conferred May, August, and December. Students must apply for graduation/degree conferral. Students should apply for graduation in the semester they anticipate completing all degree requirements. Failure to meet application deadlines may result in a delay of the conferral of the degree to the following semester. Applications for Degree Conferral are due:

• August 1 for December conferral
• December 1 for May conferral
• February 1 for August conferral