This course focuses on rigorous evaluation of policies and interventions related to postsecondary education. Evaluations will be discussed in the context of the current and historical landscape. Specific topics will include financial aid, college quality, persistence and labor market returns. Methods include matching, regression discontinuity, randomized trials and instrumental variables. This course is intended for PhD students early in their dissertation phase, as well as for advanced masters students who plan to work with empirical research in a professional setting.
Students can take 713 without having taken 712 with instructor's permission and a sufficient background in statistics.