Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
Online
Bachelors/Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
Online
About the Research Methodology Master's Program at Loyola
Loyola University's Master of Arts in Research Methodology prepares students to design studies, analyze data, evaluate programs, and conduct research. Whether you are interested in education, healthcare, social services, nonprofit organizations, government, or business, you will develop the skills needed to investigate real-world questions and make evidence-based decisions.
Through rigorous training in research design, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, measurement, and program evaluation, students learn how to collect, interpret, and communicate evidence that informs policy, practice, and organizational improvement.
Program Structure
With options for both full-time and part-time study, this program provides a flexible and rigorous learning experience for working professionals, students preparing for doctoral study, and anyone seeking to develop the skills needed to investigate important questions and make evidence-informed decisions.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
Get a head start on your master’s degree by earning graduate credits as a senior. This program is eligible for an Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP), welcoming students from any undergraduate major who meet admission requirements.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your MA in Research Methodology?
Our MA in Research Methodology offers a customizable learning experience that allows students to shape their studies around their interests and goals. Students can build expertise in quantitative methods, qualitative methods, mixed methods research, psychometrics, or program evaluation, developing a pathway that aligns with their intended area of specialization.
The curriculum combines a strong methodological foundation with opportunities to explore advanced and specialized techniques. Students can deepen their existing expertise, broaden their methodological perspective, and develop new capabilities to address increasingly complex research questions. This combination of broad methodological knowledge and specialized expertise prepares students to address evolving research challenges and pursue diverse academic and professional opportunities.
- 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.
Application Process
This program has multiple versions you can apply to. Find specific information about the application process for each option below. Please note that Accelerated Master's Pathways are only for current Loyola undergraduate students.
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Research Methodology MA are listed below:
Fall: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Research Methodology MA include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
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.
Application Deadlines
Loyola students should apply to Accelerated Master's Pathways (AMP) during their junior year. For more information on the AMP application process, please visit our Accelerated Master's Pathways webpage. The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Accelerated Master's Pathway: Research Methodology MA are listed below:
Fall: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Please note that only current Loyola undergraduates are eligible for AMPs. Application requirements for the Accelerated Master's Pathway: Research Methodology MA include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
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 TODAYResearch 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.
2026-2027 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 Loyola alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Accelerated Master's Pathway Cost Benefit
This program has an Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP) for current Loyola undergraduates. Through the AMP, you can lower the cost of a master's degree by earning graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rates (before your undergraduate degree is conferred). Once you graduate with your bachelor’s degree, you will also be eligible for the Returning Rambler Scholarship, offering 25% off graduate tuition.
Tuition and Costs
| Program | Credit Hours | Cost Per Credit Hour | Estimated Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Methodology MA | 30 | $1,115.00 | $33450.00 |
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.