Program Evaluation Certificate
Overview
The program evaluation certificate program offers intensive study of applied methods of evaluating programs and services in school, health, government, nonprofit agencies and market research settings. This interdisciplinary program surveys program evaluation techniques and processes, and examines the social and political contexts of the studies. The program allows working professionals from a variety of disciplines to formalize their training in program evaluation by earning a certificate in this area.
Demand for trained professionals in program evaluation has increased steadily to meet the reporting needs of funding agencies, policy makers, and program managers in the public and private sectors. Graduates of evaluation studies programs have found employment in county government, social service agencies, state departments, and research consulting firms and businesses.
The program is offered by the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
Curriculum
Students must complete at least 12 semester credits. The core curriculum consists of coursework in three areas: foundations of evaluation, evaluation theory, and internship experiences.
The curriculum includes 8-9 credits of required coursework and
3-4 credits of elective coursework; coursework must total at least
12 credits. Students with sufficient background and previous course experience may apply for a waiver of content requirements.
Required Coursework (8-9 credits)
The following courses (or equivalents approved by the program coordinator of evaluation studies) are required:
Foundations of evaluation
Students complete one of the following courses in this category:
- OLPD 5501 [EDPA 5501]/EPSY 5243—Principles & Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
- PA 5311—Program Evaluation (3 cr)
- PUBH 6852—Program Evaluation in Health and Mental Health Settings (3 cr)
- SW 8603—Program Evaluation (2 cr)
Evaluation theory
- OLPD 8502 [Formerly EDPA 8502]—Program Evaluation Theory and Models: Qualitative and Quantitative Alternatives (3 cr)
Internship in evaluation
- OLPD 8596 [Formerly EDPA 8596]/EPSY 8296—Evaluation Internship (3 cr)
Elective Coursework (3-4 credits)
Students may choose elective coursework from the following list. Additional courses may be approved by the program coordinator of evaluation studies.
- CI 8115—Curriculum and Achievement Outcomes in a Diverse Society (3 cr)
- CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
- CI 8914—Critical Science Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5056 [Formerly EDPA 5056]—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5061 [Formerly EDPA 5061]—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
- OLPD 5524 [Formerly EDPA 5524]/EPSY 5246—Evaluation Colloquium (1 cr)
(sample topics are listed below): - Use and Evaluation of Technology in Program Evaluation
- Multi-Method Evaluation and Community Based Programs
- Exploring Essential Evaluator Competencies
- Cultural/Multicultural Issues in Evaluation
- Ethics in the Field of Program Evaluation
- OLPD 8595 [Formerly EDPA 8595]—Evaluation Problems (3 cr)
- EPSY 5221—Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement (4 cr)
- EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
- FSOS 8013—Qualitative Family Research Methods (3 cr)
- PUBH 6345—Epi Methods: Data Collection (2 cr)
- PUBH 6724—The Health Care System and Public Health (3 cr)
- SW 8602—Direct Practice Evaluation (2 cr)
- OLPD 5841 [Formerly WHRE 5141]—Evaluation of WHRE (3 cr)
Admission
Requirements for program admission include:
- A completed graduate-level degree, master of education (M.Ed.) or master of arts (M.A.), in an appropriate content area, including education, social work, public health, or public policy.
- Students must demonstrate relevant academic background, including research methodology and experience in a field in which program evaluation is practiced (e.g., public health, social work, or education). Admission will be based on an assessment of the applicant's advanced knowledge and level of professional experience in the field of program evaluation.
- Enrollment in the certificate program will be limited to a maximum of 10 students per calendar year.
How to Apply
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be submitted at any time.
Application Materials
All applicants must submit the following items:
- Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or are currently attending, including
the University of Minnesota. Transcripts can be uploaded directly into the ApplyYourself online application system.
For instructions on how to upload your transcripts into the application system,
click here.
If you completed coursework at a university outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation center. Request a “course-by-course” evaluation. This process can take 4-6 weeks, so please plan in advance. You can use any provider that is an accredited member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A suggested provider of this service is Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 (414-289-3400, fax: 414-289-3411). - Current resume
- Program specific questions: Please address the following five questions on a separate sheet of paper. Please answer each question listed and limit your response to 2 typed or word-processed pages, size-12 font. Upload this statement to the ApplyYourself online application in the "Program Specific Questions" upload area.
- What are you major areas of interest related to program evaluation?
- What have been your past experiences in the area of program evaluation?
- What is your current involvement in the area of program evaluation?
- What is your anticipated or desired career interest related to program evaluation?
- Why are you interested in the certificate in program evaluation?
Application Instructions
- Log in to the online application system to apply to the certificate program. Be sure to save your PIN and password so you can access the application system to view your admission stats.
- When completing “Application Information” you will be asked what type of program you are applying to—choose “Certificate” from the pull down menu. Next you will be asked for your primary program objective—choose “Program Evaluation” from the pull down menu. You do not need to select a second or third emphasis. You can skip those boxes and continue to complete the rest of the page.
- Continue through the application pages. Upload your resume and answers to program specific questions (see questions above) on the "Supplemental Material" page.
- Be sure to hit "submit" after you have completed the application. You will receive a decision notification by email within three weeks of submission of your application.
- Click here to begin the online application process.
Nonnative English Speakers and/or International Students
All nonnative English speakers must submit an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Minimum TOEFL score requirements are:
Internet-based test: 79-80
Computer-based test: 213
Paper-based test: 550
Program Completion
Final certificate clearance depends on completion of all course requirements, including the posting of final grades to the student’s transcript, and approval by program faculty.
In addition to completing all program requirements, students must complete the following form:
Student Services clears certificates on a monthly basis. This form must be submitted to Student Services on or before the first day of the month that the student intends to graduate. Students who submit forms to Student Services after the first day of the month will be cleared to graduate at the end of the following month.
Successful completion of the certificate will be noted on the student's official University of Minnesota transcript and an official certificate will be issued.
Program Coordinators
Dr. Jean King
Program coordinator, program evaluation certificate
Phone: 612/626-1614
Email: kingx004@umn.edu
Dr. Stuart Yeh
Program coordinator, evaluation studies
Phone: 612-624-0285
Email: yehxx008@umn.edu
Revised April 2012