Learning What Works draft

Program Overview

This executive education program in Public Policy, Politics & Security equips professionals with the skills to design, implement, and evaluate public policy interventions effectively. Through a comprehensive exploration of evaluation tools and methodologies, students learn to assess policy impact and identify optimal solutions to societal challenges. The program is delivered fully online with interactive activities and expert faculty, and is designed for mid-career professionals seeking to advance their careers in policy evaluation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Subject and Course Type:

Public Policy, Politics & Security/Executive Education

Credit Level and Value:

7, 5 credits

Duration:

4 weeks

Program Objective:

This program aims to equip students with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to design, implement, and evaluate public policy interventions effectively. Through a comprehensive exploration of evaluation tools and methodologies, students will learn to assess the impact of policies and identify the most effective solutions to complex societal challenges.

Program Description:

At its core, this program emphasizes the crucial role of evaluation in determining the success of policy interventions. It delves into the complexities of designing and conducting evaluations, equipping students with the tools to critically analyze evidence and identify gaps in knowledge. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of considering diverse perspectives and assumptions in evaluation design to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

Outline:

Week 1: Introduction to Evaluation:

• Purpose of evaluation
• Articulating goals
• Identifying key stakeholders

• Causal inference in evaluation
• Recognizing potential pitfalls and biases

Week 3: Putting It All Together: Practicing Evaluation:

• Applying evaluation frameworks to real-world case studies
• Selecting appropriate evaluation tools
Students will be equipped to identify potential pitfalls and biases in evaluation design.
• Module 3: Putting It All Together: Practicing Evaluation: This module focuses on applying the knowledge and skills acquired in previous weeks to real-world case studies.
Students will learn to select appropriate evaluation tools, identify and fill gaps in evidence, and critically analyze the findings to inform effective policymaking.

Assessment:

• One written assignment: This assignment requires students to design and evaluate a policy intervention using the tools and frameworks learned in the program.
• Participation in webinars and discussion forums: Active participation in online discussions and engagement with fellow students and faculty are crucial components of the assessment.
This allows students to share their perspectives, learn from others, and deepen their understanding of the course material.

Teaching:

• Format: Fully online, with three weekly 1-hour webinars.
• Interactive Activities: The program uses a range of interactive activities to support learning, including discussion forums, online readings, interactive lectures, and online tutorials.
• Faculty:
• Professor Mark Kleinman: Professor of Public Policy and Director of Analysis, King's Policy Institute.
He brings extensive experience in government advisory roles and policy development.
• Dr. Benedict Wilkinson: Senior Research Fellow, King's Policy Institute.
He specializes in research on public policy issues with a focus on security and international relations.
• Rebecca Benson: Former Research Fellow at the Policy Institute, specializing in quantitative data analysis and social policy research.

Careers:

This program is designed for mid-career professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in policy evaluation to advance their careers in various sectors, including:

• Government: Roles in policy design, implementation, and evaluation within government agencies.
• Non-profit organizations: Utilizing evaluation tools to assess the impact of programs and advocate for effective policies.
• International organizations: Contributing to international development and policy analysis with a strong foundation in evaluation methodologies.
• Private sector: Applying evaluation principles to inform strategic decision-making and improve organizational performance.

Other:

• Admission Requirements: 2:1 degree plus 3 years of relevant work experience; applicants without a 2:1 degree require 5+ years of relevant work experience.