Graduate Certificate Program in
Program Evaluation
Program Description
The Graduate Certificate Program in Program Evaluation (GCPPE) is an interdisciplinary graduate certificate program designed for current graduate students and for professionals working in formal or informal learning environments who have or plan to have responsibility for evaluation of programs and services. This 12-credit program can be completed in one year, with the fall semester devoted to full time study followed by a 3-credit (part-time) practicum in the spring. Coursework may also be spread out over many semesters, or completed on a part time basis in the fall and spring, to meet students’ scheduling needs.
The objectives of the GCPPE are to improve the capacity of organizations to (a) plan and conduct evaluations (evaluation practice) and (b) make efficient use of evaluation results in policy decisions related to the betterment of programmatic offerings to their clientele (evaluation use). GCPPE students will be exposed to the most recent methodological and theoretical contributions in program evaluation research, and will learn to apply their knowledge of evaluation practice to advance learning, teaching, and the improvement of the human condition in varied social contexts.
Who We Are Looking For
The Graduate Certificate Program in Program Evaluation (GCPPE) welcomes applications from individuals who believe that program evaluation is a key component of ensuring high quality educational and social services. We are especially interested in training individuals who focus on services that improve outcomes for children, and who are keen to further develop nascent methodological skills. Individuals who have administered programs, but who lack the skills needed to evaluate them are also encouraged to apply.
Methodological Skills. Students must successfully complete a course in quantitative methods (such as EPSY 5605) and at least one course in qualitative research methods (such as EDCI 6000 or HDFS 5005) by earning a B or higher in each class prior to being accepted into the program. Students who wish to substitute equivalent coursework need to submit a petition to the Executive Committee of the program. The petition should include a syllabus of the equivalent course and other documentation if available (e.g., exam examples), to support the petition and facilitate the decision making by the Committee.
Academic Achievement. Applicants must have earned a Baccalaureate degree in education or a related field, with a minimum upper division undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 or a minimum graduate grade point average of 3.0. Students who are currently enrolled as graduate students at the University of Connecticut may also apply irrespective of GPA.
Interest in Evaluation. Applicants must have experience working with program planning, development, or evaluation, and current involvement in a project suitable for program evaluation field experience. Such experience may be substituted for experiences that have led them to understand why they need program evaluation skills for their future career.
Fit with faculty interests. Finally, acceptance into the program is conditional upon fit with faculty skills and interests and faculty availability to mentor new students.