Program Overview

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Evaluating Social Programs

Evaluating Social Programs is an online course that focuses on the use of randomized evaluations to measure the impact of social programs. The course is designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement effective evaluations.

About the Course

In this course, learners will gain an understanding of the importance of randomized evaluations in measuring the impact of social programs. The course will cover the key components of a well-designed randomized evaluation, including how to identify opportunities for impact evaluation, how to develop a theory of change and measure outcomes, and how to determine an appropriate sample size to reliably estimate impact.

What You'll Learn

• How to identify opportunities for impact evaluation
• How to develop a theory of change and measure outcomes
• Key components of a well-designed randomized evaluation
• How to determine an appropriate sample size to reliably estimate impact
• Common threats and pitfalls to the validity of experiments
• How to assess generalizability and use research findings to inform policy

Prerequisites

Although not required, prior familiarity with basic statistical concepts is recommended.

Instructors

• Rachel Glennerster: Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago
• Iqbal Dhaliwal: Global Executive Director
• Benjamin Olken: Professor of Economics

Who Can Take This Course

This course is designed for policymakers, program implementers, and practitioners from governments, NGOs, international organizations, foundations, and beyond, as well as students looking for an introduction to randomized evaluations.

Enrollment Tracks

Learners can choose from two enrollment tracks:

• Enroll for free and complete the course at your own pace
• Upgrade to the Certificate Track ($99) to be eligible to take the final quiz and receive a certificate of completion from J-PAL and MITx

Course Format

• Start: Anytime
• End: December 16, 2025
• Course Format: Self-paced
• Estimated: 6 weeks, 3-5 hours per week
• Price: Free to Learn, Certificate Track: $99.00

Instructor Profiles

Rachel Glennerster

Rachel Glennerster is an associate professor of economics in the Division of Social Science at the University of Chicago. She is also an affiliated professor and former Executive Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL).

Iqbal Dhaliwal

Iqbal Dhaliwal is the Global Executive Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). He works with the Board of Directors to develop the organization’s strategic vision and with the leadership of J-PAL’s regional offices to coordinate research, policy outreach, capacity building, and operations worldwide.

Benjamin Olken

Benjamin Olken is a Professor of Economics at MIT. His research focuses on political economy and public sector issues in developing countries, with a particular interest in corruption. He is a faculty Director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab at MIT.