Global Directory of Academic Programs in Evaluation

This program is aimed at professionals who are interested in designing and implementing development projects and programs, researching development effectiveness, and developing or enhancing their skills for conducting high-quality rigorous impact evaluations. Pursuing this Master'sdegree will support your career advancement by providing a comprehensive understanding of modern evidence-based policy-making and impact evaluation, including the context and practices of evaluation, research design, and advanced methods of quantitative and qualitative analysis.

The overarching aim of the program is to provide students with a solid grounding in key themes of public policy and policy analysis as well as practical and issue-oriented knowledge which will prepare students for their future roles as policy-makers, advisors, and analysts in governmental and non-governmental organizations. The program combines a strong basis in the core subjects of public policy with specialization in selected policy areas. Courses combine analysis and critical thinking with problem-solving. Students work on both academic research papers and problem-oriented policy briefs, using quantitative and qualitative research methods.

The program focuses on the characteristics, strengths, and educational needs of individuals and groups whose learning potential and opportunities for success are frequently unrealized. The program offers robust academic preparation of professionals who serve their communities, public school systems, institutions of higher education, and nontraditional educational environments. The program planning and evaluation concentration prepares professionals for leadership roles in program planning and evaluation in various settings. In addition to exposing students to different theories of evaluation, the program equips students with both qualitative and quantitative research/evaluation methods.

The program engages students in systematic research and study designed to improve the quality of grant writing and program evaluation within local governments, nonprofits, educational settings, and criminal justice and public service agencies. The course content emphasizes competence in the language of grants, proposal development, funding sources and processes, designing and writing creative proposal letters, creating budgets, developing effective evaluation tools, and understanding fiscal management functions and regulations. The certificate is designed for people interested in professional careers in, or careers that include, grant writing, grant management, and/or program evaluation.

The program is designed to prepare students for positions in assessment and evaluation, particularly in educational settings or healthcare organizations. With an increasing emphasis on accountability, the demand for assessment and program evaluation is high in many fields. The curriculum will provide students with the knowledge and experience to: i) understand theories, issues, and approaches in assessment and program evaluation, ii) develop and administer formative and summative assessments and evaluation instruments, and iii) analyze and interpret assessment or evaluation results for evidence-based decision making. Students in this program will develop these skills and knowledge with a choice of a concentration in either education or health.

With its emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, the program prepares evaluation practitioners to positively impact local and global communities by providing high quality, effective, and holistic program evaluations. Graduates will understand the critical aspects of program management and develop the skills to advance their careers as analysts, evaluators, consultants and managers in education, public health and policy, business, non-profits, human services and government.

Our program offers degrees focused solely on quantitative methods. Funded students get valuable experience as departmental research or teaching assistants, as graduate assistants in affiliated areas on campus, or on contract/assistantship work in partnership with research/testing agencies in the Washington, DC area. Graduate students are heavily involved in research projects, with over 80% presenting at national and international conferences, and many publishing in leading academic journals.

This certificate program prepares students for roles as evaluators and change agents in a range of organizations such as schools and school districts and non-profit agencies. This graduate-level certificate program is ideal for current students and professionals who are looking for career opportunities in or are currently employed in, school districts, social service organizations, private foundations, research firms, and human resources or training departments.

The program provides advanced study for those who seek careers in the administration or evaluation of educational programs in schools, colleges, or other institutional settings. Candidates may pursue a variety of research interests including but not limited to institutional research and assessment, educational measurement and evaluation, P-12 educational policy issues, post-secondary education, comparative education, and community/continuing education issues.

This program prepares students with the professional experience and the theoretical knowledge for a career in program evaluation.
In this program, students 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.