Program Overview

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Program Evaluation Graduate Certificate

Overview

The Program Evaluation Graduate Certificate is a 12-credit program that provides a strong foundation in evaluation theory and practice skills. Students in this program are preparing for or working in a career requiring program evaluation methods and practice skills.

Program Details

• The program is taught by seasoned evaluators who work in diverse settings and bring real-world experience to the classroom.
• They are leaders in the field who serve on evaluation association boards, author books and articles on evaluation theory and practice, and/or facilitate trainings for evaluation audiences.
• The program evaluation courses are designed to help students develop the skills to evaluate programs and policies, and to determine which programs and policies are effective in addressing important social problems.

Program Outcomes

The Michigan State University Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation provides a strong foundation in evaluation theory and practice skills. To earn the certificate, students must complete the following courses:

1. Foundations of Evaluation
2. Practice Evaluation Design OR Qualitative and Mixed Evaluation Methods
3. Any two of the following not completed to fulfill requirement 1 or 2 above:

• Evaluation Design
• Qualitative and Mixed Evaluation Methods
• Evaluation Data Collection Methods
• Statistics for Evaluators I
• Statistics for Evaluators II
• Communicating and Reporting
• Evaluation Management

Career Outlook

Graduates of this online certificate program possess the skills to:

• Develop evaluation proposals and contracts
• Design rigorous and culturally competent evaluations
• Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative evaluation data
• Communicate findings to diverse audiences
• Work successfully with stakeholders throughout the process of conducting an evaluation The program evaluation certificate adds an important credential to graduates' resumes, helping them stand out in the job market or excel in their current position in diverse settings.

Course Information

Core Courses

• PSY 880 - Foundations of Evaluation Practice (3 Credits)

Electives

• PSY 881 - Evaluation Design (3 Credits)
• PSY 882 - Evaluation Data Collection Methods (3 Credits)
• PSY 883 - Statistics for Evaluators I (3 Credits)
• PSY 884 - Qualitative and Mixed Method Evaluation Methods (3 Credits)
• PSY 885 - Communicating and Reporting (3 Credits)
• PSY 887 - Statistics for Evaluators II (3 Credits)
• PSY 888 - Evaluation Management (3 Credits)

Admissions and Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Taken the TOEFL (if English is not your native language)
• A written personal statement
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

Tuition & Fees

• In-State Tuition: $904 per credit
• Out-of-State Tuition: $904 per credit
• Flat Fees: $325 (estimate) for books and materials

Cost of Attendance

The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found through the university's resources.

Program Type and Delivery Method

• Program Type: Certificate Programs
• Delivery Method: Online, Hybrid

Accreditation and Rankings

• 29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
• Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025

University Overview

Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community. MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years, with a high quality of learning experience enjoyed by online students.