Faculty adviser:
Associate Professor Francine Jacobs, Child Development/Urban and
Environmental Policy and Planning
In the government and nonprofit sectors, significant resources are devoted to
programs that address compelling social needs. Evaluation of these programs can
help them to grow and improve their operations. Yet agencies often resist
evaluation because it is seen as politically risky or technically intimidating.
Private funders and public agencies are increasingly demanding evaluation as a
provision for funding. Individuals with evaluation
training are needed to assist programs, sponsoring agencies, and funders in
planning and carrying out evaluations to address their needs for information and
analysis.
The certificate in program evaluation is designed for midcareer 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, and environmental programs. Four courses and an applied practicum
are required for the certificate. The certificate is offered in collaboration
with the Departments of Child
Development, and Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning in the School of
Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, the
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, the School of Medicine, and the
Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
The program is open to individuals with a bachelor's degree and three to five
years of professional experience in a particular field. The program is
particularly appropriate for agency directors and administrators, program
managers and staff, foundation project officers, policy analysts, community
organizers and advocates, human resources professionals, and educators.
For more information and/or an application, contact the Office of Graduate and
Professional Studies at 617-627-3395 or visit
http://ase.tufts.edu/gradstudy.