Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
Online
About the Research Methodology Master's Program at Loyola
Numbers tell a story. At Loyola, we believe data tells the story of the human experience, including the causes of pressing social problems. In Loyola's MA in Research Methodology program, you'll learn how to look at numbers in context and use data to address social inequities.
In the program, we'll challenge you to approach research from a social justice lens, using data to highlight the systematic and personal characteristics that contribute to disparities—and then leveraging your findings to offset them and effect positive change.
Program Structure
The online research methodology program can be pursued full-time or part-time. Full-time students can complete the coursework in three semesters of study. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program.
Why Choose Loyola for Your MA in Research Methodology?
In Loyola's master's program in research methodology, you'll learn how to leverage data to challenge inequities and create change in communities and organizations. You'll use the latest research techniques to approach social and organizational challenges and study alongside PhD-level students in many of your courses, preparing you for doctoral-level work and several other career paths.
- Two certification options
- An established leader in graduate degree programs
- Distinctive faculty
- Preparation for a variety of career paths
- Advanced level classes
- Thesis option
Get ahead of the curve and enhance your career options with two exceptional certificate programs that complement the program. Learn how to apply cutting-edge quantitative techniques in an academic or research setting in Loyola's Measurement & Quantitative Methodology Certificate program. Or, gain expertise in using data to make decisions in nonprofits, schools, and other organizations in the Organizational Evaluation Certificate program.
Learn in Loyola's School of Education, which serves more than 1,000 graduate students in master's degree, educational specialist, certificate, and doctoral programs. The School of Education is well-established in preparing social justice-focused and promotes the Jesuit ideals of quality, intellectual rigor, and service to others.
Learn from faculty who will help you develop marketable skills. From program evaluation to meta-analysis, our faculty have specialized knowledge that keeps them—and their students—at the forefront of the field.
Go on to pursue doctoral study or apply your skills in institutional research, medical centers, research firms, social service organizations, school districts, and countless other settings after completing your MA in Research Methodologies.
You can choose from a wide range of qualitative and quantitative courses—and you'll have access to the same advanced-level classes that our PhD students take.
Gain experience creating original scholarship and contributing to the field. You can choose to complete a thesis that focuses on the applicatino of methods to a substantive area (e.g. higher education, social work, curriculum instruction) or can focus on investigating the methods.
Research Methodology Department
In the Department of Research Methodology, numbers are never just data points—they tell a deeper story. We challenge students to connect data with action, policy, and advocacy, using it to uncover and address the systemic and individual factors driving social inequities. Our mixed-method curriculum ensures that students not only analyze data but also recognize the human experiences behind it. This approach fosters a holistic understanding of the impact of data in promoting social change. Learn more about the department and discover stories featuring current students and graduates from the School of Education.
Department WebsiteMeet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Education faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Research Methodology MA program.
FacultyResearch Methodology: Career Connections
Following the MA in Research Methodology program, you’ll be able to work in many fields, such as education, public health, medical fields, developmental psychology, and clinical psychology. Many of our students move into Loyola’s PhD program in research methodology to pursue academic research positions after completing the MA.
Specific job options include:
- Data analyst
- Research associate
- Research analyst
- College instructor
- Statistician
- Quantitative design researcher
- Research scientist
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Research Methodology MA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Research Methodology MA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMA in Research Methodology Results and Skills
The master's degree in research methodology at Loyola equips you with research skills that make you an asset to numerous institutions and organizations. Some of the skills you'll develop include:
- Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research
- Research evaluation and analysis
- Data collection and analysis
- Communication
- Software programs
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Research Methodology MA totals $32100.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,070.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
School of Education Financial Aid & Scholarships
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost and Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education. You may also visit the School of Education Scholarships page for detailed information about eligible scholarships.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Research Methodology MA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall
Priority: February 15
General: May 1
Please note that applications are not reviewed until the deadline passes, and decisions are typically made no later than two months after the deadline.
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Research Methodology MA include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Your statement should be no more than 2 pages (double spaced) and describe your academic and research interests, professional goals, and views of social justice in relation to these interests and goals.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Research Methodology MA program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY