Program Evaluation
Graduate Certificate
Graduate Certificate
Course Delivery
Total Credits
Credit Hour
Minimum Duration
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 MSU online graduate certificate program are preparing for or working in a career requiring program evaluation methods and practice skills.
The MSU Program Evaluation 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.
The Michigan State University Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation is a 12-credit program that provides a strong foundation in evaluation theory and practice skills. To earn the certificate, students must complete the following courses:
Graduates of this online certificate 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/or work successfully with stakeholders throughout the process of conducting an evaluation. The program evaluation certificate adds an important credential to graduate's resumes. It helps them stand out in the job market or excel in their current position in diverse settings such as foundations, human service agencies, school systems, hospitals, Inspector Generals offices, and independent evaluation firms.
Dr. Adrienne Adams is a 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.
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 Methods (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 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.
June 30th
November 15th
April 15th
In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Flat Fees |
$870 | $870 | $325 Books & Materials (estimate) |
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 MSU online graduate certificate program are preparing for or working in a career requiring program evaluation methods and practice skills.
The MSU Program Evaluation 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.
The Michigan State University Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation is a 12-credit program that provides a strong foundation in evaluation theory and practice skills. To earn the certificate, students must complete the following courses:
Graduates of this online certificate 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/or work successfully with stakeholders throughout the process of conducting an evaluation. The program evaluation certificate adds an important credential to graduate's resumes. It helps them stand out in the job market or excel in their current position in diverse settings such as foundations, human service agencies, school systems, hospitals, Inspector Generals offices, and independent evaluation firms.
Dr. Adrienne Adams is a 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.
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 Methods (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 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.
June 30th
November 15th
April 15th
In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Flat Fees |
$870 | $870 | $325 Books & Materials (estimate) |
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