M.A. in OLPD
Evaluation Studies

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.

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.

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

This program offers two curriculum options: "Plan A" includes 31-32 credits (with master's thesis); "Plan B" includes 30-32 creadits (without a thesis, but with additional coursework). Both are completed in 2 years for for full-time students.

M.A. students choose between Plan A and Plan B options. Plan A students register for thesis credits, write a master's thesis, and meet with their committee members for an oral defense of the thesis. Plan B students write a final examination paper that they submit to their committee members for review and approval.

Plan A (31-32 credits)

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)

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

Electives (3 credits minimum)

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

Thesis credits (10 credits)

Take 10 or more credits of the following:

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

Plan B (30-32 credits)

Program core (9 credits)

  • OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5521—Cost and Economic Analysis in Educational Evaluation (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5502—Theory and Models of Evaluation (3 cr)

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.

Electives (6-7 credits)

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

Colloquium paper (3-6 credits)

Total of 120 hours of work required. Students in the two-year program must take 3 or more credits of OLPD 5095. Students in the one-year program must take a total of 6 cr of OLPD 5087 or OLPD 5095 over 3 semesters with advisor approval (three of those credits will count towards the Electives requirement).

  • OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (1-3 cr)
    OR OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)

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