The qualifications you need for a job in institutional effectiveness vary with each position, but research and director positions both require outstanding interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills and a strong ability to research and decipher data. Researchers for institutional effectiveness departments need a bachelor’s degree in analysis, research, or a similar field of study, experience with advanced analysis and statistical computer software, and prior experience working with research studies. Directors need a master’s degree in a relevant field with a significant focus on research, previous experience working in a higher education department, and managerial skills.