Career Guide: What can you do with skills in MESA?
Learn more about a degree in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA), plus the job industries and career opportunities for MESA graduates.
Career Guide: What can you do with skills in MESA? Heading link
Developing an expertise in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment (MESA) empowers professionals across industries to conduct research to inform strategic decisions and achieve measurable outcomes. Individuals with an education in MESA will develop a valuable toolkit applicable in education, other social and behavioral sciences, healthcare, public policy, and beyond. Whether evaluating student learning or measuring a program’s effectiveness, proficiency in MESA enables professionals to make informed decisions.
Learn more about the diverse career prospects in this comprehensive career guide.
What is MESA?
MESA is an interdisciplinary program that encourages professionals to explore research that is data-driven for decision-making purposes. Getting a degree or certificate in MESA teaches individuals to determine the best method to collect data, how to consider multiple avenues to analyze data, and how to interpret and effectively communicate data.
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) offers an online Master of Education and Graduate Certificate in MESA. Both online programs are asynchronous. Students will gain theoretical knowledge underpinning various methodologies, and then learn how to apply these skills to design research proposals, analyze data using various statistical and measurement models, and assess the reliability of data and validity evidence of inferences drawn. They will also gain hands-on experience with major computer programs for quantitative and qualitative analyses and measurement construction.
What industries do MESA graduates work in?
MESA graduates possess highly sought after skills across various industries. Here are some industries where MESA graduates can find rewarding career opportunities:
Industries for MESA graduates Heading link
| Industries | Role of a MESA graduate |
|---|---|
| Education | Design and implement assessment tools, analyze educational data to measure student performance and program effectiveness, and provide insights to improve teaching and learning outcomes. |
| Healthcare | Evaluate the effectiveness of medical treatments, assess patient outcomes, and conduct research to inform evidence-based practices. Graduates can work in hospitals, healthcare consulting firms, or government health agencies. |
| Government | Assess the impact of policies and programs, conduct surveys and statistical analyses, and provide policy recommendations. Graduates can work in government agencies and public policy organizations. |
| Non-profits | Assess the effectiveness of non-profit programs and interventions. Graduates can use data to measure outcomes and inform decision-making on various projects such as education access, public health, and community development. |
| Licensure/Certification Agencies | Develop and administer assessments to ensure professionals meet the required standards in their respective fields. |
| Private/Public Companies | Analyze data and assessments to enhance organizational performance and contribute to decision-making processes. |
Careers for MESA graduates Heading link
What careers can you pursue with a MESA degree or certificate?
MESA graduates are prepared to excel in various positions. They are equipped to meet the current demand for jobs that require analyzing large amounts of information and data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the role of data scientists is expected to grow by 35% from 2022 to 2032, adding about 60,000 jobs. The roles of mathematicians and statisticians are also in high demand with a 30% projected growth from 2022 to 2032.
An education in MESA will prepare professionals for the following roles:
Careers Heading link
| Position | Salary | Job Description |
|---|---|---|
| Data and Evaluation Specialist | $75,000 average | Collects and analyzes data to assess program effectiveness and inform decision-making processes. |
| Psychometrician | $80,000 average | Develops and validates assessment tools to measure learning and performance accurately. |
| Director of Assessment and Accreditation | $83,000 average | Oversees the assessment processes and ensures compliance with accreditation standards to maintain assessment quality. |
| Data Analyst | $84,000 average | Utilizes statistical methods to analyze data and provides insights to improve, for example, teaching and learning outcomes. |
| Test Developer | $90,000 average | Designs and constructs assessments and exams to measure knowledge and skills accurately. |
| Certification Manager | $103,000 average | Manages the certification process and ensures compliance with regulatory standards and oversees assessment procedures. |
| Institutional Research Officer | $107,000 average | Conducts research and analysis to support institutional decision-making, which includes enrollment projections and program evaluation. |
Conclusion Heading link
These career opportunities highlight the diverse paths available to MESA graduates. The increasing demand for professionals with expertise in measurement, evaluation, statistics, and assessment emphasizes the importance of advanced training in this field. Talk to an enrollment specialist to learn more about UIC’s online MESA programs.