Evaluation, Measurement and Research, Ph.D.

• Work with Leading Faculty: Collaborate with nationally and internationally recognized experts who are passionate about teaching and research.
• Engage in Grant-Funded Research: Take advantage of opportunities to participate in innovative, real-world research projects.
• Cutting-Edge Coursework: Explore the latest advances in evaluation, measurement, and research through rigorous and applied coursework.
• Personalized Support: Thrive in a small, close-knit program where faculty focus on maximizing your individual learning and professional growth.
• Present Your Work: Share your research and evaluation studies at peer-reviewed professional conferences.
• Publish and Disseminate: Receive encouragement and guidance to prepare publications independently or in collaboration with faculty.

The Ph.D. in Evaluation, Measurement, and Research provides a rigorous, applied foundation in evaluation and research. Students study core areas including program evaluation, measurement, research design, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis, while gaining hands-on experience through practica, fieldwork, and applied research projects. Advanced seminars and advisor-approved electives allow students to tailor their studies to individual interests, culminating in a dissertation that demonstrates mastery of methods and contributes new knowledge to the field. This structured combination of core, elective, and cognate-area coursework ensures students develop the expertise, analytical skills, and professional competencies needed for leadership roles in evaluation, research, and academia.

The EMR Ph.D. program accepts applications entirely online. GRE scores are no longer required, and conditional admissions are not offered.

Application Deadlines:

Required Application Materials:

• Professional Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Three Letters of Recommendation: Must be from individuals who can address your ability to succeed in doctoral-level work. Requests are sent electronically through the online system after submission of your application. Notify recommenders in advance.
• Personal Narrative: Up to four double-spaced pages describing your familiarity with EMR, professional goals, and how the program fits your objectives. Serves as a writing sample.
• Official Transcripts: From all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. WMU coursework is not required.
• English Proficiency (International Applicants Only): Applicants must provide proof of English competency unless exempt based on prior education. Desired minimum scores: IELTS 7.0; TOEFL CBT 233, PBT 577, iBT 90 (with sub-scores: Reading 22, Listening 20, Speaking 24, Writing 24). Applicants may also meet requirements via WMU’s CELCIS advanced-level program.
• Optional Materials: Copies of article reprints, white papers, evaluation reports, or other artifacts demonstrating scholarship and research experience.

Doctoral dissertations in the Ph.D. in Evaluation, Measurement and Research program at Western Michigan University reflect our commitment to advancing the science and practice of evaluation and applied research. These works showcase the depth of inquiry, analytical precision, and methodological innovation of our scholar-researchers, who tackle complex issues across education, health, policy, and organizational settings.

Through their studies, students contribute valuable insights into how data, evidence, and evaluation can improve programs, inform decisions, and promote equity and effectiveness in real-world contexts. From advancing quantitative methods to designing culturally responsive evaluation models, their dissertations illustrate the critical role of rigorous research in shaping stronger systems and communities.

Here are some examples of the impactful research conducted by our students:

• An Experimental Study of Supervised Machine Learning Techniques for Minor Class Prediction Utilizing Kernel Density Estimation: Factors Impacting Model Performance, Abdullah Mana Alfarwan
• Pathways to Leadership in a Professional Association, Cheryl Lynn Endres
• The Role of Evaluation Terms in the Quality of Final Evaluation Reports in International Development Cooperation: A Multi-Phase Mixed Methods Study, Fanny J. Hernandez de Alvarez
• Establishing Practical Equivalence of Factor Loadings in Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Christopher Edward Shank
• Current to Best Practice: An Approach to Establishing a Clearinghouse, Alycia Sterenberg Mahon
• Integrating Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Sentiment Analysis for an Enhanced Understanding of Emotions in Human Experience, Laura Urdapilleta

• Cost of attendance
• Scholarships
• CEHD assistantships
• WMU assistantships
• Grants
• Loans
• Employer-paid tuition
• Military and veterans