ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
Course Codes
666АТ Master of Assessment and Evaluation, Stream 1A 666МТ Master of Assessment and Evaluation, Stream 2A 666CW Master of Assessment and Evaluation, Stream 2В
Overview
The Master of Assessment and Evaluation provides a program of specialist training to those people who wish to take a leadership role in assessment and evaluation practice. Such people are normally employed as policy and program planners, trainers, teachers, performance auditors, managers and consultants. They are drawn from public sector organisations (in areas such as education, welfare and health), non-government agencies, business, or from consultants offering assessment and evaluation services.
The course aims to enable students to become familiar with key concepts and theories underlying policy and program development, the roles of various types of evaluation, key concepts and theories of assessment and appraisal of individuals in process and outcome terms. It will encourage critical review of important issues in the conduct of evaluation and assessment, and program implementation.
There is a one-year thesis and coursework stream (Stream 1A), a two-year thesis and coursework stream (Stream 2A), and a two-year coursework only stream (Stream 23). Eligibility for each stream depends on the level of the applicant's previous oualifications.
Štreams 2A and 28 of the Master of Assessment and Evaluation are coursework-classified, while Stream 1A of the Master of Assessment and Evaluation is research-classified:
Graduates of Stream 1A and 2A are eligible to apply for entry to the PhD or Doctor of Education programs. Graduates of Stream 2В are not eligiЫe to apply for entry to the PhD or Doctor of Education programs.
Course Objectives
Students who have completed the Master of Assessment and Evaluation course should be able to:
• demonstrate a high level of competence in the management of assessment and evaluation programs;
• make effectiveusě of the literature research in assessment апd evaluation;
• have a depth of knowledge and understanding that will enable them to be a resource for colleagues in assessment and evaluation related professional situations;
• demonstratei superior knowledge and understanding of assessment and evaluation theory and practice.
Entrance Requirements for Stream IA An applicant may be еkgiblе for entry into the Master of Assessment and Evaluation, Stream 1 A, if the applicant has:
• completed an approved degree and art approved teaching qualification and the Postgraduate Diploma in Assessment and Evaluation or approved equivalent; or
• completed an approved four-year teaching degree and the Postgraduate Diploma in Assessment and Evaluation or approved equivalent; or
• completed an approved degree or graduate diploma in a social or human science discipline and can demonstrate a record of research and publications and professional experience in assessment or evaluation at a level acceptable to the Faculty.
Applicants for Stream 1A are required to submit a thesis proposal signed by their prospective supervisor and the Head of Department with their application.
Entrance Requirements for Streams 2A and 2В
An applicant may be eligible for entry into the Master of Assessment and Evaluation, Streams 2A or 2В, if the applicant has:
• completed an approved degree and an approved teaching qualification; or
• completed an approved four-year teaching degree; or
• completed an approved degree or graduate diploma in a social or human science discipline and can demonstrate a record of professional experience in assessment or evaluation at a level acceptable to the Faculty.
Length of lime Acceptable Since
.
Completion of Previous Qualification and/or PrerequisitesApplicants who are applying for entry on the basis of qualifications obtained more than ten years prior to the year in which selection is sought, may be granted admission if, in the view of the Faculty, the applicant has maintained an appropriate level of active involvement. in the field of education during the time since the relevant prerequisite qualification(s) were conferred. No credit will be granted for studies undertaken for a Postgraduate Diploma in Evaluation or other equivalent qualification completed more than 10 years prior to the year for which selection is sought.
Applicants who wish to resume their Masters degree studies after a gap of more than 10 years will normally be required to undertake two subjects and gain an 12А or above in each subject prior to re-admission to the Master of Assessment and Evaluation.
Course Structure
Stream 1A: Coursework and Thesis of 16,000 to 20,000 words (666АТ)
Students are required to undertake 25 points of coursework. from the pool of subjects listed below, and complete a thesis of 16,000 to 20,000 words incorporating research methodology studies (75 points in total). Subjects that may be undertaken in external (on-line) mode of delivery are marked by an asterisk.
Coursework subjects (select one):
481-809 Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches' 481-810 Evaluating Large Scale Programs'
481-811 Evaluation for Management and Development"
482-620 Evaluation Theory'
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482-621 Information Use in Change Management`
476-661 Assessment Design and Analysis•
476-662 Competency and Performance Assessment•
476-664 Advanced Measurement and Psychometrics 476-694 Educational Measurement, Assessment and
Evaluation•
476-695 Assessment and Reporting for Student Learning•
Approved research methodology studies (select one):
481-812 Qualitative Methods•
481-813 Quantitative Methods' 481-815 Survey Design and Analysis 476-645 Multivariate Research Methods
Students are encouraged to seek advice from the Program Co-ordinators in regard to subject selection so as to select the most appropriate subjects for their needs.
Refer to the Subject Description section of this Handbook for details about the above subjects.
Stream 2A: Coursework and Thesis of 16,000 to 20,000 words (666МТ)
Students are required to undertake 150 points of coursework from the pool of subjects listed below, and complete a thesis of 16,000 to 20,000 words (50 points of study). At least one subject must be from the list of combined assessment and evaluation subjects below. Subjects that may be undertaken in external (on-line) mode of delivery are marked by an asterisk.
Combined Assessment and Evaluation subjects (select one):
481-812 Qualitative Methods•
481-813 Quantitative Methods•
481-815 Survey Design and Analysis 476-645 Multivariate Research Methods Assessment subjects:
476-661 Assessment Design and-Analysis*
476-662 Competency and Performance Assessment' 476-664 Advanced Measurement and Psychometrics 476-694 Educational Measurement, Assessment and
Evaluation'
476-695 Assessment and Reporting for Student Learning' Evaluation subjects:
481-809 Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches' 481-810 Evaluating Large Scale Programs"
481-811 Evaluation for Management and Development' 482-620 Evaluation Theory'
482-621 Information Use in Change Management' Students may select up to 50 points worth of coursework.
from offerings outside the above .lists, with the written permission of the Program Co-ordinator/s.
Students are encouraged to seek advice from the Program Co-ordinators in regard.to subject selection so as to select the most appropriate subjects for their needs.
Refer to the Subject Description section of this HandЬoók for details about the above subjects.
Stream 2В: Coursework only (666CW)
Students are required to undertake 200 points of coursework from the pool of subjects listed below. At least one subject must be from the list of combined assessment and evaluation subjects below. Subjects that may be undertaken in external (on-line) mode of delivery are marked by an asterisk.
Combined Assessment and Evaluation subjects (select one):
481-812 Qualitative Methods' 481-813 Quantitative Methods' 481-815 Survey Design and Analysis 476-645 Multivariate Research Methods 481-814 Project in Assessment or Evaluation•
Assessment subjects:
476-661 Assessment Design and Analysis'-
476-662 Competency and Performance Assessment' 476-664 Advanced Measurement and Psychometrics 476-694 Educational Measurement. Assessment and
Evaluation'
476-695 Assessment and Reporting for Student Learning' Evaluation subjects:
481-809 Program Evaluation: Forms and Approaches' 481-810 Evaluating Large Scale Programs'
481-811 Evaluation for Management and Development' 482-620 Evaluation Theory'
482-621 Information Use in Change Management' Students may select up to 50 points worth of coursework from offerings outside the above lists, with the written permission of the Program Co-ordinator/s.
Students are encouraged to seek advice from the Program Co-ordinators in regard to subject selection so as to select the most appropriate subjects for their needs.
Refer to the Subject Description section of this Handbook for details about the above subjects.
Period of Candidature
After being admitted to Stream 1A of the course, full-time students are required to pursue studies for at least one academic year and nòt more than two academic years. Part- time students are required to pursue studies for at least two academic years and not more than four academic years.
After being admitted to Streams 2A or 2В of the course, full- time students are required to pursue studies for at least two academic years and not more than four academic years. Part- time students are required to pursue studies for at least four academic years and not more than six academic years.
Information Guide for Research Students It is essential that all thesis students obtain a copy of the Information Guide.for Research Students before commencing the thesis component, The publication is free of charge and available from the Faculty Office.
Thesis Provisions
General Requirements and Thesis Supervision
Applicants for Stream• 1A are required to write a preliminary thesis proposal and obtain a supervisor as part.. of the application pròcess. The thesis proposal must be signed by the supervisor and the supervisor's Head ot Department.
Students in Stream 2A should obtain a supervisor shortly after admission to the course.
All students enrolled in the thesis streams should finalise the topic of their thesis with their supervisor as early as possible, and must register the name of their supervisor with the Faculty Office as soon as the matter is finalised.
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Students who require assistance in obtaining a supervisor should obtain a copy of the Information Guide for Research Students, for details on the research areas of Faculty of Education academic staff.
The Thesis of 16,000 to 20,000 Words
The thesis permits the student to draw on the themes discussed in the various subjects undertaken, and to apply them to an area of particular interest. Although this work may rely to some extent on the work of others, it should be a new presentation which involves the writer in demonstrating research and writing skits, and also in collecting primary data from the field, or in building some new construct from available materials. The result should give clear evidence of research skills and critical judgment.
The thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to handle research and to present the outcomes in a disciplined way that conforms with normal scholarly conventions.
The thesis should be between 16,000 to 20,000 words in length, excluding appendices. The thesis will be examined by two appropriate academics, at least one of whom is external to the University of Melbourne, neither of whom is the supervisor of the thesis. Theses produced for Stream 1A are required to be examined by two external examiners.
The thesis should not, as -а general rule, take a part-time student more than twelve months to complete.
Submission of a Thesis for Examination
With the approval of the student's supervisor, a thesis may be submitted for examination at any time in the year.
Three copies of the completed thesis must be presented to the Faculty Office. It must be in the format outlined in the Information Guide for Research Students, otherwise it will not be accepted for examination.
When submitting a thesis for examination the student must be enrolled in•the thesis subject. Upon submission of the thesis with approval of the student's supervisor, the student's enrolment status will be changed to 'Registered for Examination'. Students in HECS places who submit a thesis for examination by 31 March and who have their enrolment changed to 'Registered for Examination' may apply for reimbursement c: the Amenities and Services Fee (pro rata basis) and any HECS payment they have made for Semester 1. Students in HECS places who submit a thesis for examination by 31 August and who have their enrolment changed to 'Registered for Examination' may apply for reimbursement of the Amenities and Services Fee (pro rata basis) and any HECS payment they have made for Semester 2. Students in fee-paying places should contact the Student Administration Office upon submission of their theses to see if they are eligible for a reimbursement of any fees paid for that semester.
Thesis students who do not submit their thesis by the last working day in December (usually 23 December) must arrange to re-enrol in the thesis by the end of the first week in January.. Thesis students who are • enrolled for Semester 1•
only and who dó not submit their _ thesis by 30 June must arrange to re-enrol in the thesis for Semester 2 by 30 June.
Students who fail to arrange their re-enrolment in the thesis by the deadlines above are deemed to have abandoned their course, and their enrolment will be terminated by the Faculty.
Major/Substantial Revision
The examiner/s may recommend that substantial revision of a thesis be undertaken before the thesis is submitted for re- examination. In such cases, the student has six months to complete the revisions, and is required to re-enrol in the thesis subject and pay associated fees on a pro rata basis. When the thesis is resubmitted for examination, the student's enrolment will then be changed to 'Registered for Examination'.
Minor Corrections
The examiner/s may recommend that minor corrections of a thesis be undertaken before a grade is given. In such cases, the student has three months to complete the corrections. If the corrections are not completed within three months, the student is required to re-enrol in the thesis subject and pay the associated fees on a pro rata basis. When the supervisor advises that the corrections have been made, the student then submits two bound copies of the thesis to the Faculty Office.
If more specific information about these matters is required, students should contact the Faculty Office, Alice Hoy Building, Parkville Campus.
Bound Copies of Thesis
When all changes to the thesis have been made to the satisfaction of the examiners and/or supervisor, two bound copies of the thesis, together with two copies of the abstract (copied from the thesis) should be submitted to the Faculty Office. The Faculty Office forwards one copy of the thesis to the Education Library, and the other copy to the Baillieu Library.
Once the bound copies have been received, the Faculty Office will release the grade for the thesis to the student.
Grading of Thesis
Theses are graded on the basis of work submitted for examination and not on the basis of the version produced after revisions have been made in light of the examiners' comments. Therefore a grade awarded to a thesis by an examiner may not be revised because of improvements effected in accordance with guidance given by the examiner.
Where an examiner requires that revisions be effected to designated parts of a thesis before a pass grade may be awarded, the final grade may not be higher than 13.
External Mode of Delivery
Some subjects within this course are also offered in external (on-line) mode of delivery. It is possible to undertake Stream 2A entirely in external mode of delivery providing students select subjects that are available in external mode of delivery.
It is also possible to undertake the coursework components of Streams 1A and 2A externally providing students select subjects that are available in external mode of delivery., However, Streams 1A and 2A cannot be undertaken entirely in external mode of delivery as the thesis must be done while on campus at the University of Melbourne. Students wishing to undertake subjects offered in external (on-line) mode of delivery should first check that they meet the requirements to study externally. Refer to the subject descriptions and the Faculty's Gęnщtal Information section of this Handbook for details.
Course Enquiries
Education Faculty Office, Alice by Building The University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia Tel: (+61 3) 8344 8285
E-mail: enquiries©edfac.unimelb.edu.au Program Co-ordinator (Evaluation)
John Owen, Department of Education Policy and Management Room 422, Alice by Building
Tel: (+61 3) 8344 8394
E-mail: [email protected] Program Co-ordinator (Assessment)
Patrick Griffin, Department of Learning and Educational Development
Room 406, Alice Hoy Building Tel: (+61 3) 8344 8206
E-mail: [email protected]