Program evaluation

Certificate program

Program

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 Educational Policy and Administration (EdPA) in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).

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
• Admission to the certificate will be through application to the program's coordinator of evaluation studies. 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.
  
  Application forms for the program evaluation certificate program are available from EdPA, 330 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-1006; fax: 612-624-3377.
  Certificate in program evaluation application [.pdf]
  Certificate in program evaluation application [.doc]
• Enrollment in the certificate program will be limited to a maximum of 10 students per calendar year.

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 coordinator of evaluation studies) are required:

Foundations of evaluation
Students complete one of the following courses in this category:

• EDPA 5501/EPSY 5243—Principles and 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

• EDPA 8502—Program Evaluation Theory and Models: Qualitative and Quantitative Alternatives (3 cr)

Internship in evaluation

• 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 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)
• EDPA 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
• EDPA 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
• 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
• 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)
• WHRE 5141—Evaluation of WHRE (3 cr)
• WHRE 8914—Critical Science Research (3 cr)

Registration

After admission to the program, degree-seeking students can register for courses online.

Students not already admitted to the University of Minnesota and who do not wish to apply to a degree program should complete a First-Time Registration for Non-Degree Seeking Students packet [.pdf]. Packets are available at the college’s office of Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; or cehdgrad@umn.edu.

For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.

Note: Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.

Tuition

Tuition varies depending on a student's degree program, student status, and residency. Students seeking the certificate only pay the CEHD departmental master's tuition rate. Students enrolled in Graduate School programs pay Graduate School tuition rates; students enrolled in undergraduate programs pay undergraduate tuition rates.

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents determines tuition rates annually before fall semester. For current tuition rates and reciprocity policies, check the college’s tuition and fees page.

Residents of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba may be eligible for special tuition reciprocity rates comparable to Minnesota resident rates.

General financial aid advising and information are available from the University’s Office of Student Finance (OSF), 200 Fraser Hall, 106 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-1111.

For graduate assistantship/scholarship information (for students enrolled in graduate degree programs), contact the Graduate Assistant Office, 200 Donhowe (for mail) or 100 Donhowe (for walk in), Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-7070, fax: 612-625-9801.

For more information

If you have questions about this program, contact Stuart Yeh, 612-624-0285, email: yehxx008@umn.edu.

Revised October 2006