Program Evaluation
Master of Arts
Online
Course Delivery
37
Total Credits
$870
Credit Hour
16 months
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
How do we know which programs and policies are successful in improving society and which are not? How can we use assessments to help make programs and policies work better? Program evaluation specialists use applied research methods and other tools to determine how people can improve programs and policies, and which programs and policies are effective in addressing important social problems. Students in this Master of Arts online program are preparing for or working in a career requiring program evaluation methods and practice skills.
The Michigan State University Program Evaluation MA courses are taught by seasoned evaluators who work in diverse settings and bring real-world experience to the classroom. They are leaders in the field who serve on evaluation association boards, author books and articles on evaluation theory and practice, and/or facilitate trainings for evaluation audiences.
Program Outcomes
The MA in Program Evaluation will provide you with the practical skills and real-world experience needed for a successful evaluation career. The program emphasizes professional development in the key areas of evaluation practice, including contemporary models and standards of professional evaluation practice; quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method design and analysis; leading-edge communication and reporting strategies; and evaluation contracting and project management.
As part of the coursework for the MSU Program Evaluation MA, you will complete a practicum sequence that provides the opportunity to further develop your evaluation skills by immersion in a real-world setting in which evaluations are currently being conducted. Settings include government agencies, human service organizations, educational settings, healthcare organizations, and for-profit and non-profit evaluation firms. If you are already working in a setting where evaluations are conducted, you will have the option to complete the practicum along-side a seasoned evaluator in your place of employment.
Career Outlook
Graduates of this online Master's program possess the skills to develop evaluation proposals and contracts; design rigorous and culturally competent evaluations; collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative evaluation data; communicate findings to diverse audiences; and work successfully with stakeholders throughout the process of conducting an evaluation. With these skills, our graduates are prepared to work as an evaluation specialist in diverse settings such as foundations, human service agencies, school systems, hospitals, Inspector Generals offices, and independent evaluation firms.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Adrienne Adams
Professor and Program Director
Dr. Adrienne Adams is an Professor of Psychology at MSU. She holds a Ph.D. in community psychology. Over the past 15 years, she has evaluated local, state, and national domestic violence and sexual assault victim service programs. She uses participatory evaluation methods to build evaluation capacity and foster organizational learning.
Course Information
Core
PSY 880 - Foundations of Evaluation Practice (3 Credits) Introduction to the history, professional roles and contexts in which evaluation occurs, professional standards, and leading theories of program evaluation practice.PSY 881 - Evaluation Design (3 Credits)
Introduction to designing process and outcome evaluations, including how to engage stakeholders; developing a logic model; developing evaluation questions; using quasi-experimental and experimental designs in evaluation; and sampling and randomization.
PSY 882 - Evaluation Data Collection Methods (3 Credits)
Introduction to data collections methods commonly used in evaluation, including surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, structured observation protocols, qualitative observations, agency records, and secondary data.
PSY 883 - Statistics for Evaluators I (3 Credits)
Learn about foundational descriptive statistics and their applications and limitations; the logic of inferential statistics and their application in evaluation; the basics of correlation and regression analysis; how to select, conduct, interpret, and report analyses using SPSS; and data management.
PSY 884 - Qualitative and Mixed Method Evaluation (3 Credits)
Familiarizes students with commonly-used qualitative and mixed method designs and basic approaches to qualitative and mixed method data analysis.
PSY 885 - Communicating and Reporting (3 Credits)
Learn how to develop a dissemination plan, facilitate stakeholder meetings and workshops, generate actionable recommendations, display data, and present findings using multiple modalities.
PSY 886 - Evaluation Practicum Preparation (1 Credit)
Prepare to work alongside evaluation practitioners in a professional evaluation setting.
PSY 887 - Statistics for Evaluators II (3 Credits)
Learn about inferential statistics and quantitative data analysis in the evaluation context, including parametric and non-parametric statistics, handling non-normal and missing data, calculating effect sizes, and determining sample sizes. Build skills in conducting, interpreting, and reporting analyses in SPSS.
PSY 888 - Evaluation Management (3 Credits)
Learn what it takes to lead an evaluation from preparing the evaluation plan and budget to managing the evaluation team and stakeholders, facilitating use along the way, and delivering results and promised products within a budget, timeline, and agreed-upon expectations of quality.
PSY 889 - Evaluation Practicum (12 Credits)
Work alongside evaluation practitioners in a professional evaluation setting to gain first-hand understanding of how to apply the theory, methods, and skills learned in prior classes.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Taken the TOEFL. (Only required if English is not your native language)
- A written personal statement addressing the following: your personal reasons for your interest in program evaluation; related work experience; how an MA or certificate in program evaluation will help you attain your career goals; personal attributes that will be an asset to a career in program evaluation; personal qualities or experiences that will help you succeed in and complete an online program; and why you are seeking a graduate degree/certificate in Program Evaluation.
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts who can attest to your potential for success in this graduate program and a career in program evaluation. If you exited a graduate program in the past calendar year without completing the degree, one letter of recommendation must come from that program's director/chairperson. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- The official transcripts must be sent by the appropriate officials from each institution directly to the Department of Psychology at the following address: Program Evaluation Graduate Program, Department of Psychology, 316 Physics Road Rm 262, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. Electronic transcripts are preferred. Have electronic transcripts sent to progeval@msu.edu.
- For non-US citizens without permanent residency status, have English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS) electronically sent to the MSU Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency. MSU's TOEFL code is 1465. Do not have testing reports mailed to the university or Department of Psychology.
Key Dates
Fall
Application and Materials Deadline
June 30th
Spring
Application and Materials Deadline
November 15th
Summer
Application and Materials Deadline
April 15th
Tuition & Fees per credit
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Flat Fees |
| $870 | $870 | $1050 Books & Materials (estimated) |
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
How do we know which programs and policies are successful in improving society and which are not? How can we use assessments to help make programs and policies work better? Program evaluation specialists use applied research methods and other tools to determine how people can improve programs and policies, and which programs and policies are effective in addressing important social problems. Students in this Master of Arts online program are preparing for or working in a career requiring program evaluation methods and practice skills.
The Michigan State University Program Evaluation MA courses are taught by seasoned evaluators who work in diverse settings and bring real-world experience to the classroom. They are leaders in the field who serve on evaluation association boards, author books and articles on evaluation theory and practice, and/or facilitate trainings for evaluation audiences.
Program Outcomes
The MA in Program Evaluation will provide you with the practical skills and real-world experience needed for a successful evaluation career. The program emphasizes professional development in the key areas of evaluation practice, including contemporary models and standards of professional evaluation practice; quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method design and analysis; leading-edge communication and reporting strategies; and evaluation contracting and project management.
As part of the coursework for the MSU Program Evaluation MA, you will complete a practicum sequence that provides the opportunity to further develop your evaluation skills by immersion in a real-world setting in which evaluations are currently being conducted. Settings include government agencies, human service organizations, educational settings, healthcare organizations, and for-profit and non-profit evaluation firms. If you are already working in a setting where evaluations are conducted, you will have the option to complete the practicum along-side a seasoned evaluator in your place of employment.
Career Outlook
Graduates of this online Master's program possess the skills to develop evaluation proposals and contracts; design rigorous and culturally competent evaluations; collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative evaluation data; communicate findings to diverse audiences; and work successfully with stakeholders throughout the process of conducting an evaluation. With these skills, our graduates are prepared to work as an evaluation specialist in diverse settings such as foundations, human service agencies, school systems, hospitals, Inspector Generals offices, and independent evaluation firms.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Adrienne Adams
Professor and Program Director
Dr. Adrienne Adams is an Professor of Psychology at MSU. She holds a Ph.D. in community psychology. Over the past 15 years, she has evaluated local, state, and national domestic violence and sexual assault victim service programs. She uses participatory evaluation methods to build evaluation capacity and foster organizational learning.
Course Information
Core
PSY 880 - Foundations of Evaluation Practice (3 Credits) Introduction to the history, professional roles and contexts in which evaluation occurs, professional standards, and leading theories of program evaluation practice.PSY 881 - Evaluation Design (3 Credits)
Introduction to designing process and outcome evaluations, including how to engage stakeholders; developing a logic model; developing evaluation questions; using quasi-experimental and experimental designs in evaluation; and sampling and randomization.
PSY 882 - Evaluation Data Collection Methods (3 Credits)
Introduction to data collections methods commonly used in evaluation, including surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, structured observation protocols, qualitative observations, agency records, and secondary data.
PSY 883 - Statistics for Evaluators I (3 Credits)
Learn about foundational descriptive statistics and their applications and limitations; the logic of inferential statistics and their application in evaluation; the basics of correlation and regression analysis; how to select, conduct, interpret, and report analyses using SPSS; and data management.
PSY 884 - Qualitative and Mixed Method Evaluation (3 Credits)
Familiarizes students with commonly-used qualitative and mixed method designs and basic approaches to qualitative and mixed method data analysis.
PSY 885 - Communicating and Reporting (3 Credits)
Learn how to develop a dissemination plan, facilitate stakeholder meetings and workshops, generate actionable recommendations, display data, and present findings using multiple modalities.
PSY 886 - Evaluation Practicum Preparation (1 Credit)
Prepare to work alongside evaluation practitioners in a professional evaluation setting.
PSY 887 - Statistics for Evaluators II (3 Credits)
Learn about inferential statistics and quantitative data analysis in the evaluation context, including parametric and non-parametric statistics, handling non-normal and missing data, calculating effect sizes, and determining sample sizes. Build skills in conducting, interpreting, and reporting analyses in SPSS.
PSY 888 - Evaluation Management (3 Credits)
Learn what it takes to lead an evaluation from preparing the evaluation plan and budget to managing the evaluation team and stakeholders, facilitating use along the way, and delivering results and promised products within a budget, timeline, and agreed-upon expectations of quality.
PSY 889 - Evaluation Practicum (12 Credits)
Work alongside evaluation practitioners in a professional evaluation setting to gain first-hand understanding of how to apply the theory, methods, and skills learned in prior classes.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Taken the TOEFL. (Only required if English is not your native language)
- A written personal statement addressing the following: your personal reasons for your interest in program evaluation; related work experience; how an MA or certificate in program evaluation will help you attain your career goals; personal attributes that will be an asset to a career in program evaluation; personal qualities or experiences that will help you succeed in and complete an online program; and why you are seeking a graduate degree/certificate in Program Evaluation.
- 3 letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts who can attest to your potential for success in this graduate program and a career in program evaluation. If you exited a graduate program in the past calendar year without completing the degree, one letter of recommendation must come from that program's director/chairperson. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- The official transcripts must be sent by the appropriate officials from each institution directly to the Department of Psychology at the following address: Program Evaluation Graduate Program, Department of Psychology, 316 Physics Road Rm 262, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. Electronic transcripts are preferred. Have electronic transcripts sent to progeval@msu.edu.
- For non-US citizens without permanent residency status, have English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS) electronically sent to the MSU Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency. MSU's TOEFL code is 1465. Do not have testing reports mailed to the university or Department of Psychology.
Key Dates
Fall
Application and Materials Deadline
June 30th
Spring
Application and Materials Deadline
November 15th
Summer
Application and Materials Deadline
April 15th
Tuition & Fees per credit
| In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Flat Fees |
| $870 | $870 | $1050 Books & Materials (estimated) |
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
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