Program Evaluation Graduate Certificate
Overview
Professional evaluators work to systematically investigate and help improve the quality and value of programs of all types and sizes, including charitable, educational and school-based, government, health-care, human service and recreational programs. Using many different tools and skills across the spectrum of research and evaluation traditions, evaluators gain a deep understanding of a program and communicate information that guides those who fund, design and implement the program in spending their investments wisely.
Evaluators work closely with people who fund the evaluation, and those who deliver and are impacted by the program, to gain a deep understanding of the program, its impacts, and its value. Using many different tools and skills across the spectrum of research and evaluation traditions, evaluators develop and communicate information that informs people who fund, design, implement, and utilize programs being evaluated.
Career opportunities include non-profits and social service agencies, school and other educational institutions, health care, and corporate evaluation firms. State and federal agencies also have evaluation specialists on staff to hold government units accountable and provide evaluative information on programs and policies at the request of elected officials. Finally, there are many opportunities for professional evaluators to win bids for evaluation contracts and work independently for the clients who sponsor those contracts.
Students in the certificate program develop an individualized plan of study with their faculty advisor and gain real-world experience in performing evaluations under the direction of seasoned professionals.
Those who complete the program, and who are interested in further graduate training in the field, will have priority admission into WVU’s master’s degree in Program Evaluation and Research.
Accreditation
West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Admissions
Students may apply to the program online at admissions.wvu.edu/how-to-apply as a non-degree student.
To be admitted as a non-degree student, a student must present evidence of a baccalaureate degree.
The WVU College of Education and Human Services requires all students to maintain a 2.75 grade point average for the 12 credit hours of course work.
For questions, please contact:
Dr. Abhik Roy
Program Coordinator
(304)293-3049
Abhik.Roy@mail.wvu.edu
Dana Musick
Program Administrative Assistant
(304)293-3879
dmusick2@mail.wvu.edu
Cost
| Residents | Non-Residents | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees for academic year 2018-2019 |
$549 Per Credit Hour |
$1,488 Per Credit Hour |
Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of the following courses:
|
EDP 612. Introduction to Research Basic concepts, strategies, methodologies, designs, and procedures of research in education. Major emphasis on integrating research designs, measurements, and statistics for initiating research projects, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting and reporting findings. |
|
EDP 617. Program Evaluation An awareness of the purposes, ethics, issues of design, methods and models of program evaluation. Includes real-world group evaluation project experience. |
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EDP 611. Measurement/Evaluation in Educational Psychology An introductory course in measurement and evaluation in educational psychology with an emphasis on the principles and procedures in conducting and analyzing educational measurement. |
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EDP 680. Capstone Seminar in Program Evaluation Emphasis on initiating and completing a program evaluation at the local, region or state level under guidance of instructor. Application of evaluative concepts, methods and theories as they relate to practice in different professions. Exposure to differing evaluation literature focused on theory and practice. |
Total Credit Hours: 12
All courses can be completed within a year.