Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, 330 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-1006; fax: 612-624-3377)

Program evaluation is an area of inquiry that uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to address questions of concern to policy makers, administrators, managers, and, in some cases, program participants. In this era of competing developments--increased accountability and the democratization of research activity--knowledge of program evaluation is a useful and valuable commodity. The program evaluation minor is an interdisciplinary effort providing intensive study of the techniques and process of evaluation and policy research, in addition to the social and political context within which program evaluation occurs. The graduate minor in program evaluation offers a coordinated set of courses designed for students who wish to have the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct evaluations combined with their graduate majors or professional fields of study. Courses include readings, discussions, and assignments designed to develop the skills essential to professionals intending to use or conduct evaluation in non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Other requirements to be completed before admission:

Prior admission into an established master's or doctoral program is required. Admission to the minor, therefore, will be contingent upon enrollment in good standing within a recognized University degree-granting program.

Students apply for admission through the minor's director of graduate studies and faculty. 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, and education). Students from existing evaluation programs in OLPD and educational psychology are not eligible for the minor.

Students need a minimum of 15 credits for the doctoral minor and a minimum of 9 credits for the master's minor. Individual programs are designed through consultation by the student, the major adviser, and the director of graduate studies of the program evaluation minor.