Global Directory of Academic Programs in Evaluation

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in social policy and program evaluation. The program combines theory with real-world, practical experience and emphasizes the ethical foundations of social policy interventions. The curriculum draws from multiple fields of study, including economics, political science, sociology, psychology, education, law, applied ethics, and public health. Classroom learning is supplemented by opportunities to engage in applied social policy and evaluation research through public policy lab and internship experiences. Upon graduation, students will be equipped to work effectively as leading practitioners, policy makers, analysts, and evaluators in government, private sector, NGOs, and international organizations, and to evaluate policies and programs to improve outcomes and impact.

The program focuses on the initiatives of various public and private organizations to advance development. It provides a comprehensive overview of past and current aid policies from multilateral and bilateral donors, including the major modes and instruments used. The institutional characteristics of the actors involved, including governments, community-based organizations, international NGOs, bilateral or multilateral donors, are analyzed to better understand their processes and outcomes. The course adopts the theoretical view that development can be seen as a series of interconnected collective action problems. It provides students with methodological and practical insights into development evaluation, its significance, and challenges.