Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
![]() |
Twin Cities Campus
Program Evaluation Postbaccalaureate CertificateOrganizational Leadership, Policy and Development
College of Education and Human Development
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, 206 Burton Hall, 178 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-1006; fax: 612-624-3377)
Email:
olpd@umn.edu
Website: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/olpd
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The program evaluation certificate program offers intensive study of applied methods of evaluating programs and services in school, health, government, nonprofit agencies, and market research settings. This interdisciplinary program surveys program evaluation techniques and processes, and examines the social and political contexts of the studies. The program allows working professionals from a variety of disciplines to formalize their training in program evaluation by earning a certificate in this area. Demand for trained professionals in program evaluation has increased steadily to meet the reporting needs of funding agencies, policy makers, and program managers in the public and private sectors. Graduates of evaluation studies programs have found employment in county government, social service agencies, state departments, and research consulting firms and businesses.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
A completed graduate-level degree, master of education (MEd) or master of arts (MA), in an appropriate content area, including education, social work, public health, or public policy.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
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, or education). Admission will be based on an assessment of the applicant's advanced knowledge and level of professional experience in the field of program evaluation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Special Application Requirements:
Enrollment in the certificate program will be limited to a maximum of 10 students per calendar year.
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
Certificate coursework completed with undergraduate student status cannot be applied to graduate-level degree programs.
Required Coursework
8-9 credits required. The following courses (or equivalents approved by the certificate coordinator) are required.
Foundations of evaluation
Take 1 course from the following:
OLPD 5501 - Principles and Methods of Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
PA 5311 - Program Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
PUBH 6852 - Program Evaluation in Health and Mental Health Settings
(2.0 cr)
Evaluation theory
OLPD 5502 - Comparative evaluation theory for practice
(3.0 cr)
Internship in evaluation
Only 3 credits of this course can count towards this certificate.
OLPD 8596 - Evaluation Internship
(1.0-9.0 cr)
Elective Coursework
Students may choose 3-4 credits of elective coursework from the following list to meet the overall program minimum of 12 credits. Additional courses may be approved by the certificate coordinator.
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
CI 8148 - Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts
(3.0 cr)
·
CI 8914 - Critical Science Research
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5221 - Principles of Educational and Psychological Measurement
(3.0 cr)
·
EPSY 5244 - Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation
(3.0 cr)
·
FSOS 8013 - Qualitative Family Research Methods
(3.0 cr)
·
OLPD 5056 - Case Studies for Policy Research
(3.0 cr)
·
OLPD 5061 - Ethnographic Research Methods
(3.0 cr)
·
OLPD 5521 - Cost and Economic Analysis in Educational Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
·
OLPD 8595 - Evaluation Problems
(1.0-6.0 cr)
·
PUBH 6724 - The Health Care System and Public Health
(3.0 cr)
·
PUBH 7250 - Designing and Conducting Focus Group Interviews
(1.0 cr)
·
PUBH 7251 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | OLPD 5501/EPsy 5243 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PubH 6034/PubH 6852 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -9.0 [max 24.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 24.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | OLPD 8595/EPsy 8295 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |