Gain the advanced assessment and evaluation skills required to help school systems, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits improve performance and allocate resources more effectively.

The Ed.S. in Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability can help you gain the analytical skills, organizational development theory, and ethical framework you need to evaluate the effectiveness of individuals, programs, and institutions and support data-driven decision making. As you gain the technical skills to evaluate complex systems and organizations, you can explore communication and leadership strategies for gaining stakeholder support and building a culture of continuous improvement. Applicable in a variety of sectors, this program provides specific tools and organizational approaches for evaluating student learning and supporting research-based improvements in educational settings.

An Education Specialist degree, sometimes referred to as a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.), is ideal for educators who want to remain working in the field but who would like to increase their influence and impact on their learning communities.

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Completion Requirements

  • 45 total quarter credits

This program can be completed in as little as 18 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

Walden is approved by Minnesota and Ohio to offer the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program that leads to principal licensure. Walden is also approved by Ohio to offer the M.S. in Education, Educational Leadership and Administration, which leads to principal licensure in Ohio.

Individuals interested in principal licensure in states other than Minnesota and Ohio may qualify for the license by virtue of completing a state-approved program; however, individuals must review their state’s regulations to ensure the program meets all requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to out-of-state program completers.

Walden enrollment advisors can provide guidance on licensure issues; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure or endorsement.

  • Foundations: Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability

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    In this foundational course, educators are prepared for joining the academic community with a focus on acquiring common language for the field of assessment, evaluation, and accountability within the context of educational organizational effectiveness. Key issues in the field are explored while learning the process for how to successfully complete the education specialist degree, with Walden support in developing (1) facility with Walden University’s online learning environment; (2) understanding of the university’s and the programs support systems, expectations, and outcomes; and (3) advanced graduate-level critical-thinking, research, and writing skills.

  • Assessment and Accountability in Education

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    Increasingly, educators at all levels are asked to document the impact of the educational process on learners and to make research-based decisions. This course provides educators with grounding in assessing and evaluating student learning, developmental outcomes, and educational programs. They also examine the purposes for collecting student data, acquire key evaluation concepts, and examine the distinctions among various approaches to assessing learning.

  • Educational Organizations and Contexts

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    Research efforts to support the educational process and effective leadership demand an understanding of schools and academic institutions as complex systems and units of change. Education professionals examine theories of organizational functioning and apply these insights to the functioning of individuals and groups within educational systems. Topics include systems thinking, assuring organizational effectiveness that supports teaching and learning, and conflict management.

  • A New Vision of Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability

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    This course recasts the role of assessment and evaluation as a vehicle for positive change. The notion of accountability is supported by the concepts of social and ethical responsibility, and informs continual improvement efforts for individuals and organizations. Theory, trends, and systemic perspectives of the field are connected to changes required for enhancing performance and increasing effectiveness. Topics include evaluator credibility, national and international assessments and comparisons, and facilitation with individual and cultural values underpinning evaluation purposes, processes, and judgments. (Prerequisites: EDUC 7117 and RSCH 7200D.)

  • Assessing for Individual Growth

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    The value of performance assessment coupled with accountability systems can vary widely, depending on how resulting data is used to enhance learning. This course examines the nature of personnel evaluation in multiple contexts including education, reward and acknowledgement systems, hiring, and dismissal case studies. Supporting technical skills are integrated into the course, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of data gathering and analysis.(Prerequisites: EDUC 7350, RSCH 7100D, RSCH 7200D.)

  • Evaluating and Improving Programs, Organizations, and Systems

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    Determining comprehensive value and worth of a curriculum, project, instructional method, institution, or policy is a complex endeavor. In this course, educators examine the process of determining the value, purpose, efficacy, and social implications for programs, organizations, and systems within a framework for continuous improvement. Supporting technical skills are integrated into the course, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of data gathering and analysis. (Prerequisites: EDUC 7350 and EDUC 7250.)

  • Dynamics of Communication for Impact and Results

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    Finesse and skill are needed to communicate complex information and findings from data analysis to particular stakeholders in ways that convey understanding, impart meaning, and stimulate a call to action. The focus of this course is on how to report results, consequences, options, and recommendations in compelling ways for multiple audiences. A wide variety of communication methods will be explored that include presentation technology, Internet communications, technical writing, writing for publication, press releases, grant writing, and collaborative communication. Data compression is practiced as part of the communication and recommendation process. (Prerequisites: EDUC 7353.)

  • Research Theory, Design, and Methods

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    Education professionals are provided with core knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing, and designing research at the doctoral level in this course. They explore the philosophy of science, the importance of theory in research, and research processes. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research designs and methods are introduced. Ethical and social change implications of conducting research, producing knowledge, and engaging in scholarship are emphasized. Education professionals apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing elements of simple research plans. (Prerequisites: A foundations course or first course in a program).

  • Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

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    Education professionals are provided with core knowledge and skills for designing quantitative research at the doctoral level, including understanding data analysis and applying statistical concepts in this course. They explore classical quantitative research designs and common statistical tests, the importance of quality assurance, and ethical and social change implications of conducting quantitative research and producing knowledge. Education professionals approach statistics from a problem-solving perspective with emphasis on selecting appropriate statistical tests for a research design. They use statistical software to calculate statistics and interpret and present results. Education professionals will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a quantitative research plan. (Prerequisites: RSCH 7100D.)

  • Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

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    In this research course, educators build on knowledge and skills acquired in RSCH 8200: Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis and are provided with experience applying them. Educators are provided with more specialized knowledge and skills for designing quantitative research at the doctoral level, including understanding multivariate data analysis and applying more advanced statistical concepts. They explore comprehensive quantitative research designs and suitable statistical tests, the importance of quality assurance, and ethical considerations and social change implications of conducting quantitative research and producing knowledge. Educators approach statistics from a problem-solving perspective, with emphasis on selecting the appropriate research design and statistical tests for more complex research questions or problems. They use statistical software to perform analyses and interpret and present results. Educators apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a quantitative research plan. (Prerequisites: RSCH 7200D.)

  • Capstone: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement

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    Continuous improvement is a phrase that is applied in both business and educational settings. Operationalized, the term crosses fields that include leadership, organizational development, change theory, and evaluation and assessment. In this course education professionals connect continuous improvement as referenced in these fields and move beyond to include organizational culture, professionalism, social justice, and codes of ethics that support the formation and sustainability of this type of culture. The culminating project provides a platform for individualizing a plan with a self-chosen organization that incorporates evaluation, assessment, and a vision for social responsibility as part of creating a culture of continuous improvement. (Prerequisites: EDUC 7354; EDUC 7355 must be the last course taken in the program.)

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2012-2013

Curriculum Component  Requirements  Cost 
Courses  45 total quarter credit hours $595 per quarter credit hour
Capstone    $1,000 per course 
Technology Fee  per quarter  $110
Application Fee  per program  $50 

2013-2014 (Effective May 6, 2013)

Curriculum Component  Requirements  Cost 
Courses  45 total quarter credit hours $615 per quarter credit hour
Capstone    $1,000 per course 
Technology Fee  per quarter  $110

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Call 1-866-492-5336 for information about a full range of options for:

As a Walden student, you can choose when, where, and how you learn thanks to our online format and MobileLearn®. Through this education technology, you can listen to coursework on your MP3 player, access your classroom from your iPhone, download coursework to your laptop, and more.

Find out more about what defines Walden’s Ed.S. in Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability program:

Graduates of this program will be prepared to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of teaching and learning.
  2. Reflect on and analyze educational problems.
  3. Demonstrate leadership via effective communication and use of technology.
  4. Affirm diversity and express awareness of global interrelationships within their learning.
  5. Collaborate with the various groups in the educational field to promote social change.

Walden is committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision about where you pursue your education. Please find below detailed information for the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Assessment, Evaluation, and Accountability relating to the types of occupations this program may lead to, completion rate, program costs, and median loan debt of students who have graduated from this program.

Occupations
Program Completion Rate
Program Costs
Median Loan Debt

Occupations—This program generally prepares students to enter the types of occupations listed below. For more information on these specific occupations, visit www.onetonline.org.

In addition to this list, there are other career options that graduates of this program may choose to pursue. To enter certain professions, students may need to satisfy specific additional requirements established by state and/or professional organizations in addition to completing their program.

View examples of our student and alumni accomplishments in their chosen fields.

Occupation Name*  Occupation Code* 
Analysts, Statistical  15-2041 
Analysts, Program  13-1111 
Consultants, Educational  25-9031 
Education Workers, All Other  25-9099 
Instructional Coordinators  25-9031 
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center Program  11-9031 
Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School  11-9032 
Education Administrators, Postsecondary  11-9033 

*The “occupation name” is a general job title. “Occupation code” refers to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Standard Occupational Classification.

Program Completion—The program completion rate for July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, is not available because this program was not yet offered.

Program Costs—The total program costs are the estimated average costs over the duration of the program, excluding any scholarship or tuition reductions, for students completing the program on time. These costs can vary based on the number of credits. Typically, tuition and fees are subject to change annually.

Expense  Cost 
Tuition and Fees  $25,370
Books and Supplies  $0
Room and Board  Not applicable 

View cost per credit in the Tuition and Fees section.

Median Loan Debt—The median loan debt for July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, is not available because this program was not yet offered.

Find information about Walden programs and licensure requirements specific to your state.

For assistance in deciding which online degree program fits your goals, request information or speak with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. A list of international toll-free phone numbers is available for students outside the United States.