Education

Master of Education in Evaluation and Assessment

The Master of Education in Evaluation and Assessment is a specialised postgraduate programme that equips education professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in educational evaluation, assessment design, measurement theory, and quality assurance in education. The programme prepares graduates to design, implement, and evaluate assessment systems in educational institutions and education sector organisations.

Core areas of study include educational measurement theory, assessment design and development, programme evaluation methods, educational statistics, psychometrics, test construction and validation, performance assessment, formative and summative assessment, quality assurance in education, large-scale assessment, assessment policy, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications of evaluation and assessment.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University, with Maseno University listed as a college. The programme is related to similar specialisations in educational research, evaluation, and assessment offered at other Kenyan universities. The programme combines measurement theory with assessment practice.

Students develop competencies in assessment design, test construction, programme evaluation, educational measurement, statistical analysis, psychometric methods, quality assurance, assessment policy analysis, research methodology, and data-driven decision making. The programme includes coursework, practical assessment projects, and a research thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time modes available. Coursework combines theoretical foundations with practical assessment design and evaluation projects. The programme is designed for teachers, assessment specialists, education officers, examination board staff, and education managers seeking evaluation and assessment expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as assessment specialists, examination officers, education evaluation officers, measurement and evaluation consultants, quality assurance officers, educational researchers, and assessment policy analysts in schools, examination boards, government education departments, NGOs, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Educational Measurement and Psychometrics
Assessment Design and Test Construction
Programme Evaluation Methods
Educational Statistics and Data Analysis
Quality Assurance in Education
Large-Scale Assessment and Testing
Performance Assessment Design
Assessment Policy Analysis
Formative and Summative Assessment
Research Methods in Education

Key Subjects

Educational Measurement Theory
Assessment Design and Test Construction
Programme Evaluation Methods
Educational Statistics
Psychometrics and Item Response Theory
Quality Assurance in Education
Large-Scale Assessment
Performance Assessment
Assessment Policy Analysis
Research Methods in Education

Certifications

IAEA Professional Membership
AEAA Professional Membership

Specializations

Educational Measurement

Focuses on measurement theory, psychometrics, item response theory, classical test theory, reliability and validity, and statistical methods for educational measurement.

Assessment Design

Examines assessment design principles, test construction, performance assessment, portfolio assessment, rubric development, and authentic assessment methods.

Programme Evaluation

Covers programme evaluation methods, evaluation design, logic models, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and using evaluation findings for educational improvement.

Quality Assurance in Education

Focuses on quality assurance frameworks, education standards, institutional evaluation, quality monitoring, and quality improvement in educational institutions.

Large-Scale Assessment

Examines large-scale assessment design, national examinations, international assessments, assessment data management, and reporting of large-scale assessment results.

Assessment Policy

Covers assessment policy analysis, national assessment policy, assessment standards, policy development for assessment, and the policy context of educational assessment.

Formative Assessment

Focuses on formative assessment theory, assessment for learning, classroom assessment practices, feedback strategies, and using assessment to guide instruction.

Educational Statistics

Examines educational statistics, quantitative methods, data analysis for assessment, statistical software for educational measurement, and interpreting assessment data.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 246,000
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Measurement Theory
Assessment Design and Test Construction
Programme Evaluation Methods
Educational Statistics
Psychometrics and Item Response Theory
Quality Assurance in Education
Large-Scale Assessment
Performance Assessment
Assessment Policy Analysis
Research Methods in Education

Modules

10 in the programme

Educational Measurement Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines classical test theory, item response theory, reliability and validity, measurement scales, and foundational concepts in educational measurement.
Assessment Design and Test Construction
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers assessment design principles, test construction methods, item writing, test blueprints, and developing valid and reliable assessment instruments.
Educational Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers statistical methods for educational measurement, descriptive and inferential statistics, data analysis techniques, and statistical software for assessment data.
Programme Evaluation Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines programme evaluation methods, evaluation design, logic models, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and using evaluation findings for educational improvement.
Performance Assessment Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers performance assessment, portfolio assessment, authentic assessment, rubric development, and assessing complex learning outcomes beyond traditional tests.
Quality Assurance in Education
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines quality assurance frameworks, education standards, institutional evaluation, quality monitoring, and quality improvement in educational institutions.
Large-Scale Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers large-scale assessment design, national examinations, international assessments, sampling methods, and reporting of large-scale assessment results.
Assessment Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines assessment policy analysis, national assessment policy, assessment standards, policy development for assessment, and the policy context of educational assessment.
Research Methods in Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in evaluation and assessment, including research design and data analysis.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an evaluation and assessment topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and measurement theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Educational Measurement
Focuses on measurement theory, psychometrics, item response theory, classical test theory, reliability and validity, and statistical methods for educational measurement.
Assessment Design
Examines assessment design principles, test construction, performance assessment, portfolio assessment, rubric development, and authentic assessment methods.
Programme Evaluation
Covers programme evaluation methods, evaluation design, logic models, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and using evaluation findings for educational improvement.
Quality Assurance in Education
Focuses on quality assurance frameworks, education standards, institutional evaluation, quality monitoring, and quality improvement in educational institutions.
Large-Scale Assessment
Examines large-scale assessment design, national examinations, international assessments, assessment data management, and reporting of large-scale assessment results.
Assessment Policy
Covers assessment policy analysis, national assessment policy, assessment standards, policy development for assessment, and the policy context of educational assessment.
Formative Assessment
Focuses on formative assessment theory, assessment for learning, classroom assessment practices, feedback strategies, and using assessment to guide instruction.
Educational Statistics
Examines educational statistics, quantitative methods, data analysis for assessment, statistical software for educational measurement, and interpreting assessment data.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on educational measurement theory, assessment design, or programme evaluation methods. Students engage in practical sessions constructing tests, designing assessment instruments, and analysing assessment data using statistical software. Seminar discussions analyse case studies of assessment systems, evaluation challenges, and quality assurance frameworks in education. Group projects involve developing assessment plans, designing evaluation frameworks, or conducting psychometric analyses of test data. Research methodology and statistics sessions prepare students for their thesis, with practical training in educational data analysis and measurement techniques. Guest lectures from KNEC assessment specialists, examination officers, and international assessment experts provide real-world insights into assessment practice. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent research on evaluation and assessment topics, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses the growing demand for assessment expertise driven by competency-based curriculum reforms and emphasis on learning outcomes.
Programme combines measurement theory with practical assessment design and evaluation skills, providing both theoretical and applied expertise.
Graduates can pursue careers with KNEC, government education departments, schools, universities, and international assessment organisations.
Programme aligns with international assessment standards through IAEA and AEAA professional networks.

Against it

Programme is offered at only three public universities, limiting geographic access for prospective students.
No private university offers this programme, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments.
Statistical and psychometric components may be challenging for students without strong quantitative backgrounds.
Specialised nature of the programme may limit career flexibility compared to broader MEd specialisations.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public130k to 246k

130k at Karatina University246k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 246,000/yr. Karatina unverified. AIU 95,525/sem, Kabarak 82,600/sem (official)

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC may grant study leave with sponsorship for teachers pursuing postgraduate education. KNEC may sponsor examination officers for assessment training. The programme's specialised nature attracts examination board and assessment agency funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
KNEC Training Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 157,750Kenyan
TSC-employed teachers may be granted study leave with sponsorship for postgraduate education in evaluation and assessment.
KNEC Training Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KNEC examination officers and assessment staff may be sponsored for specialised training in evaluation and assessment.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is available in full-time and part-time modes. Application fee is KES 2,000. The programme runs for two academic years. Designed for teachers, assessment specialists, examination board staff, education officers, and education managers seeking evaluation and assessment expertise.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
CATs, assessment design exercises, test construction assignments, statistical analysis problems, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Practical Projects
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment involving test development, assessment instrument design, programme evaluation exercises, and psychometric analysis of assessment data.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering measurement theory, assessment design, programme evaluation, and statistics, including essay questions and quantitative analysis.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an evaluation and assessment topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and measurement theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University are all CUE-accredited public universities. The programme aligns with KNEC and IAEA professional standards for educational assessment.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University are all CUE-accredited public universities.
International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA)
Professional standards
IAEA provides global standards for educational assessment. The programme aligns with IAEA standards, and graduates may pursue IAEA professional membership for recognition.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Assessment Specialist
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs and implements assessment systems for schools, examination boards, or educational organisations, overseeing test development, assessment design, and data analysis.
Examination Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Works with examination boards like KNEC, overseeing examination development, administration, marking, and results reporting for national and professional examinations.
Education Evaluation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 320,000
Evaluates education programmes and interventions for government, NGOs, or international organisations, conducting programme evaluations and impact assessments.
Quality Assurance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Monitors and assures education quality in schools, universities, or education departments, overseeing quality standards, institutional evaluation, and improvement.
Measurement and Evaluation Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides consulting services on educational measurement, assessment design, and programme evaluation for schools, examination boards, NGOs, or international organisations.
Educational Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts research on assessment, measurement, and evaluation in education for research institutions, universities, or international organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as assessment specialists, examination officers, education evaluation officers, and quality assurance officers in examination boards, government, schools, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for educational measurement, including test data analysis, reliability analysis, item analysis, and assessment research.
R
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical programming language for psychometric analysis, item response theory modelling, and advanced educational measurement analysis.
Iteman
Software
Item analysis software for classical test theory analysis, item statistics computation, and test development support.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for programme evaluation, qualitative assessment research, and mixed-methods evaluation studies.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Evaluation and assessment is just about marking exams.
The programme covers comprehensive assessment design, measurement theory, psychometrics, programme evaluation, quality assurance, and assessment policy, far beyond marking examinations.
This programme is only for examination board staff.
Graduates work in schools, universities, government education departments, NGOs, and international organisations, applying evaluation and assessment expertise across diverse settings.
Assessment is a narrow technical field with limited career prospects.
Growing emphasis on learning outcomes, accountability, and evidence-based education creates demand for qualified assessment and evaluation professionals across the education sector.
You need a strong mathematics background to study assessment.
While statistical skills are valuable, the programme develops measurement and analytical skills from foundational levels, preparing students from diverse educational backgrounds.
Assessment and evaluation are the same thing.
Assessment focuses on measuring individual learning, while evaluation examines the effectiveness of programmes, systems, and interventions. The programme covers both distinct but related fields.
This programme has no practical application in Kenyan schools.
Kenya's examination system, competency-based curriculum assessment, and growing demand for quality assurance create direct demand for assessment expertise in Kenyan schools and institutions.