Graduate certificate in Program Evaluation

Strong program development and performance require ongoing program evaluation and meaningful structures of accountability. Program evaluation seeks to assess the relevance, sustainability, impact, effectiveness, and efficiency of programs, projects, policies, and regulations by focusing on program design and results. It involves the systematic gathering of information about the performance of projects, policies, programs, regulations, and other initiatives in order to determine their relevance, success, and cost-effectiveness.

Program evaluations are complex endeavors that must be conducted professionally and competently in order to be both credible and useful. The quality and integrity of evaluations depend on the quality and competence of the professionals involved. As an evaluator, students must be able to apply appropriate research and statistical methods rigorously. Students must be able to make sound critical evidence-based judgments and communicate well with clients in order to support them in bringing about change. The core competencies of evaluators have been empirically identified by major professional associations, including the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES), and the Treasury Board of Canada.

The graduate certificate in Program Evaluation consists of four courses, for a total of 15 graduate-level credits. All courses are competency-based, designed to provide professionals and managers with the practical knowledge, skills, and credibility for conducting, managing, or participating in the program evaluation process.

Inquiry-based learning is a central feature of the training approach. Students will link scholarship to practice through case studies and problem-solving exercises. The goal is to enable students to apply sound evaluation methodologies in an ethical and professional manner. Students will have the opportunity to work in their interest areas with the support of a faculty advisor.