Next Start Date: Online Graduate Certificate in Evaluation and Assessment
Evaluate the effectiveness of programs, policies, personnel, products and organizations of all types and sizes with UMass Lowell's Graduate Certificate in Evaluation and Assessment. Aimed at public and private-sector professionals who wish to gain expertise in this critical data-driven area, evaluation and assessment techniques apply to organizations in education, government, business, agriculture, public health, criminal justice, social services and environmental and urban planning.
Given the increasing focus on accountability and transparency in today's global economy, organizations need to measure results, ensure efficacy, analyze performance and demonstrate return on investment. Through this program, you will learn different research theories and methodologies and how to interpret results to make evidence-based decisions that impact policies and procedures.
Earn Your Certificate in as Little as 12 Months
One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation
Career Outlook
Occupations
- Agile Business Analyst
- Assessment Manger
- Associate Director of Educational Program Assessment
- Behavioral Health Senior Analyst
- Chief Evaluation Officer and Outcomes Specialist
- Content and Evaluation Specialist
- Director of Measurement Strategy
- Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
- Performance Improvement Specialist
- Program Analyst
- Program Evaluation Manager
- Program Officer, Evaluation and Adaptive Learning
- Psycho-Educational Evaluator
- Senior Research Analyst
- Special Education Evaluator
- Survey Researcher
- Training and Development Manager
Key Takeaways
Deepen your knowledge of a range of topics, including:
- Models and ethics of program evaluation
- Strategies for conducting qualitative research
- Techniques for analyzing and reporting findings
- The relationship between evaluation and educational policies
- Identifying, monitoring and measuring outcomes
- Various approaches to the formative and summative assessment of learning
- Basic measurement and evaluation theories and techniques
Leaders in Education and Program Evaluation
For nearly 125 years, UMass Lowell’s School of Education has been a leader in the field of education, offering world-class programs with a reputation for innovation and excellence. As education transforms throughout Massachusetts and the nation, we are preparing teachers and leaders to adapt and lead. School of Education faculty members understand today's education climate and offer in-depth knowledge and expertise as active researchers, instructors, thought leaders and policy specialists.
The Center for Program Evaluation at UMass Lowell researches program evaluation methods and offers evaluation planning, consulting, training and services for the university and regional and global communities.
One Success Leads to Another
Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:
Curriculum Outline
- Required Courses: 4
- Electives: 1
Required Courses (4 / 12cr)
- EDUC.6076 Data Management and Visualization (3cr) - Available Spring 2024!
- EDUC.7040 Qualitative Research Methods (3cr)
- EDUC.6240 Assessment of Learning (3cr) - Available Spring 2024!
- EDUC.7090 Measurement & Evaluation (3cr)
- EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation (3cr)
Elective* (Choose 1 / 3cr)
- EDUC.5280 Assessment of Reading and Language Disabilities (3cr)
- EDUC.7101 Qualitative Research: Advanced Topics in Analysis (3cr)
- EDUC.5590 Introduction to Education Statistics (3cr)
- EDUC.5593 Research and Evaluation Special Topics (3cr)
- EDUC.7430 Program Evaluation: Advanced Topics (3cr)
Course Descriptions
EDUC.5280 Assessment of Reading and Language Disabilities (3cr)
This course examines the selection and use of procedures to make an adequate clinical and educational diagnosis. Includes the assessment of function and dysfunction in factors associated with language development; receptive, expressive, writing, reading; and the administration and interpretation of individual and group tests of perceptual, motor, and conceptual functioning in reading and language.
Requirements:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
EDUC.5590 Introduction to Education Statistics (3cr)
This course provides students with a foundational understanding of educational statistics. From variables, means, and measuring the central tendency to distributions, t-tests, significance and variance, students will explore the meaning and use of these essential social science tools. In tandem with technique, students will also explore the statistical issues behind topical concerns in education and become familiar with statistical sources of importance to educational researchers.
EDUC.5593 Research and Evaluation Special Topics (3cr)
This course provides an opportunity to investigate emerging topics in the fields of research methodology or program evaluation education. Topics will vary by semester and the interest and expertise of the faulty member. Discussion of theoretical and practical considerations of the topic under consideration will be integrated across the semester.
EDUC.6076 Data Management and Visualization (3cr)
The use and analysis of data in all forms requires that educational researchers understand how to manage and visualize data, making creative use of this knowledge as they build robust findings well supported by evidence. In this class, students will be introduced to the underlying principles of data management and the ways different kinds of data and information can be visualized to support analysis and representation to curious audiences.
EDUC.6240 Assessment of Learning (3cr)
Students examine various approaches to the formative and summative assessment of learning. This course examines the importance of assessment in planning curricula and individual lessons.
Requirements:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation (3cr)
Evaluation tasks will be identified and the policy issues attendant to evaluation will be examined. Students will identify and discuss several models of program evaluation, understand what needs to be considered and addressed in needs assessment, and learn to identify an appropriate design for a new evaluation. Students will be expected to conduct program evaluation, present their ideas and illustrate how evaluation results can be useful for program decision making.
Requirements:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
EDUC.7040 Qualitative Research Methods (3cr)
This course concentrates on the use of qualitative methods for educational research. Strategies for conducting qualitative studies are described and techniques for analyzing and reporting findings are emphasized. Students will also examine strategies for the ethical conduct of qualitative research.
EDUC.7090 Measurement & Evaluation (3cr)
Basic measurement and evaluation theories and techniques are surveyed, including achievement, attitudes, opinions, abilities, personality, skills and trait variables. Emphasis is given to methods of establishing reliability and validity of various measures.
EDUC.7101 Qualitative Research: Advanced Topics in Analysis (3cr)
Students will examine selected cutting-edge topics in the field of qualitative research. They will become familiar with key journals in the field of qualitative research. Students are expected to research and write about a self-selected topic in the field of qualitative research methodology. The course stresses the skills of methodological literature review and professional academic writing.
Requirements:
EDUC.7040 Qualitative Research Methods.
EDUC.7430 Program Evaluation: Advanced Topics (3cr)
This course will further your knowledge of program evaluation by focusing on such topics as: Assessing the need for program evaluation; Working with stakeholders; Identifying, measuring and monitoring outcomes; Assessing impact; Social context of evaluation.
Requirements:
EDUC.6423 Program Evaluation.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Spring 2024 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
|---|---|---|
Graduate |
||
| Online Education | $470 | $1,410 |
| Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D. | $500 | $1,500 |
Additional Costs |
|
|---|---|
| Term Registration Fee | $30 |
| Late Fee | $50 |
| Graduate Degree and Certificate Application | $50 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
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For Graduate Certificate Programs, Please Submit:
- An application
- An application fee*
- An official transcript indicating a completed bachelor's degree. If your bachelor's degree is from outside the United States, you may be required to take the TOEFL examination.
- No Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for graduate certificate programs
F1 student visas are not issued for this program. Applications can be completed and submitted at any time during the year. Your application will be processed as soon as all admission materials have been received. You may apply to more than one certificate program but can only take 12 credits maximum before enrolling in an advanced degree. Learn more about specific application requirements for your program of interest.
Count Your Graduate Certificate Toward a Master's Degree
Credits earned from a graduate certificate may be used toward a related graduate degree.
Graduate Program Admissions Requirements
Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before formally applying to the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.
Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?
Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).
For General Assistance:
For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!
