College of Education and Human Development

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

Program evaluation certificate

in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development

In recent years, the demand for trained professionals in program evaluation has steadily increased. New tools in data collection and trends in accountability have created a need for well-designed program evaluations in funding agencies, non-profit organizations, and throughout the private sector. Our certificate in program evaluation prepares you to lead program evaluation efforts. You will learn applied methods, techniques, and processes, and how evaluation fits into larger economic, social, and political contexts.

Benefits

  • Earn a credential that distinguishes you from other job candidates in a wide array of fields.
  • Earn a credential while building credits toward a full Master’s program.
  • Obtain specialized knowledge and feel confident and self-assured in your work.

Coursework

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.

Foundations of evaluation

Take one course from the following:

  • OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
  • PA 5311—Program Evaluation (3 cr)
  • PUBH 6852—Program Evaluation in Health and Mental Health Settings (2 cr)
  • SW 8603—Program Evaluation (2 cr)

Evaluation theory

  • OLPD 5502—Theory and Models of Evaluation (3 cr)
    OR OLPD 8502—Program Evaluation Theory and Models: Qualitative and Quantitative Alternatives (3 cr)

Internship in evaluation

OLPD 8596—Evaluation Internship (1-9 cr) [Only 3 credits of this course can count towards this certificate.

Elective coursework (3-4 credits)

Students may choose 3-4 credits of elective coursework from the following list to meet the overall program minimum of 12 credits. Additional courses may be approved by the program coordinator of evaluation studies.

  • CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
  • CI 8914—Critical Science Research (3 cr)
  • EPSY 5221—Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement (3 cr)
  • EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
  • FSOS 8013—Qualitative Family Research Methods (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5521—Cost and Economic Analysis in Educational Evaluation (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8595—Evaluation Problems (1-6 cr)
  • PUBH 6724—The Health Care System and Public Health (3 cr)
  • SW 8602—Direct Practice Evaluation (2 cr)

How to apply

    Admission Deadline

    Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be submitted at any time.

    Admission is open to degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students.

    Online application and instructions

    Admission Requirements

    Degree: 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.

    Experience: 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.

    GRE scores: Not required

    TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):

    • TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above
      (21 writing/19 reading)
    • IELTS = 6.5

    Tuition and funding

    Tuition information: CEHD | OneStop

    Financial aid: CEHD | OneStop

    Readmission

    If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.

    Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.

    1. Complete the proper online readmission application.

      If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
       
    2. Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.

      Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
       
    3. Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.

    Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.

    Individuals seeking readmission to the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.A. program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.

    Questions?

    We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.