Program Evaluation

Certificate Program
Frequently Asked Questions >

The demand for program evaluation in the private non-profit and for-profit sectors (and at all levels of government) has grown dramatically over the past decade, with significant resources now devoted to this enterprise. Evaluations provide feedback for program improvement and help determine the benefits being derived from new and veteran programs. A new cadre of individuals trained in planning and executing evaluations is needed to assist sponsoring agencies, funders, and programs to generate this useful information.

The certificate in Program Evaluation is designed for mid-career professionals who wish to learn about the design and implementation of effective evaluation strategies. Students learn practical skills that can be put to use in the evaluation of a wide range of social service, public health, community development, corporate, and environmental programs.

Who Should Apply?

The program is open to individuals with a bachelor's degree and three to five years of professional experience in a particular field. It is especially appropriate for agency directors and administrators, program managers and staff, foundation project officers, policy analysts, community organizers and advocates, human resources professionals, and educators.

Program of Study

The certificate requires four courses. Courses in statistics, data analysis, and research methods are offered by several departments. Course substitutions can be made with the approval of the certificate faculty adviser.

1. Foundation course:
   • Program Evaluation (UEP 256) (also CD 247)
2. One course in applied statistics and data analysis, for example:
   • Problems of Research: Statistics (CD 140)
   • Advanced Statistics (PSY 107/108)
   • Principles of Biostatistics (MPH 205)
   • Statistical Methods for Nutrition Research (NUTR 209)
   • Nutrition Data Analysis (NUTR 211)
   • Quantitative Research Methods (SOC 101)
   • Quantitative Reasoning for Policy and Planning (UEP 254)
3. One course in research methods, for example:
   • Problems of Research: Methods and Design (CD 142)
   • Principles of Epidemiology (MPH 201)
   • Methods of Educational Research (ED 271)
   • Survey Research in Nutrition (NUTR 210)
   • Field Research (SOC 105)
   • Research Methods (OTS 210)
4. One elective in your area of interest or expertise:
   • education, child development, nonprofit management, social or environmental policy, nutrition, or public health.

This certificate is offered in collaboration with the Tufts Departments of Child Development, and Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning; the School of Nutrition Science and Policy; and the School of Medicine.

Tuition:

Certificate students pay a course rate for each required certificate course of $3,565 per course (2013-2014).

Summary of Consumer Information for Students

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For more information, contact:
Office of Graduate Studies
(617) 627-3395
Email: gradschool@ase.tufts.edu

For Application Forms for the certificate program.