College of Education and Human Development

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

Evaluation studies MA

in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development

Evaluation professionals bring a sophisticated toolkit of methods and models to help organizations understand what is happening in their programs and what could happen. Through organizational partnerships, you will work in real-life evaluation cases and get hands-on experience while in your program. With a master’s degree in evaluation studies, you will be able to provide specialized knowledge and skills to all kinds of professional settings, including education, governance, health care, industry, non-profits, and NGOs.

Benefits

This evaluation studies (ES) track program prepares you with the professional experience and the theoretical knowledge for a career in program evaluation.

In this program, you will learn how to:

  • Frame and conceptualize organizational issues,
  • Assess the performance of public and nonprofit programs, and
  • Apply advanced techniques in evaluation and measurements in order to get actionable and reliable results.

Careers

This degree prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:

  • Program evaluator
  • Program manager
  • Program specialist
  • Program developer
  • Organizational development specialist
  • Trainer or research manager
  • Adjunct instructor
  • Behavioral scientist

Coursework

    Program core (6 credits)

    Take a minimum of 6 credits from the following:

    • OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5502—Theory and Models of Evaluation (3 cr)

    Electives (3 credits minimum)

    At least 3 credits selected in consultation with advisor to meet 31-32 total credit requirement.

    Research design and methods (6 credits minimum)

    Two qualitative methods courses selected in consultation with advisor.

    Related fields (6 credits taken outside ES)

    The master’s degree requires at least 6 semester credits to be taken outside the ES program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. These courses should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

    Such as:

    • EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr) or comparable stats course required
    • One additional EPsy measurement or methods course

    Thesis credits (10 credits)

    Take 10 or more credits of the following:

    • OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)

    Program core (9 credits)

    • OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
    • OLPD 5502—Theory and Models of Evaluation (3 cr)
    • OLPD 8596—Evaluation Internship (3cr)

    Electives (6-7 credits)

    Coursework related to the student's specialization, selected in consultation with the advisor. This will total 6-7 credits. These may be OLPD or outside courses.

    Research design and methods (6 credits minimum)

    Two qualitative methods courses selected in consultation with advisor.

    Related fields (6 credits taken outside ES)

    The master’s degree requires at least 6 semester credits be taken outside the ES program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

    Plan B paper (3 credits)

    Total of 120 hours of work required. Students must take OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (3 cr). 

    How to apply

      Admission Deadline

      Applications are due by May 1 for a Fall semester start.

      Fall semester start only.

      Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.

      Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.

      Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.

      Admission Requirements

      Degree: Bachelor's degree

      GPA: Undergraduate 3.0

      Note: Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.

      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.