Program Evaluation

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 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.

Program Outcomes

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:

1. Foundations of Evaluation
2. Practice Evaluation Design OR Qualitative and Mixed Evaluation Methods
3. Any two of the following not completed to fulfill requirement 1 or 2 above:

• Evaluation Design 
• Qualitative and Mixed Evaluation Methods 
• Evaluation Data Collection Methods 
• Statistics for Evaluators I 
• Statistics for Evaluators II 
• Communicating and Reporting 
• Evaluation Management

Career Outlook

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.

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.

Elective

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.

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
• 3 letters of recommendation
  A minimum of three letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts. 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 the online admissions application.
• A non-refundable $50 application fee is required.
• Request official transcripts from each institution attended. 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. Your application is not complete until we receive your official transcripts. 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. Also, review MSU's international requirements here: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/international/default.aspx. Do not have testing reports mailed to the university or Department of Psychology.