Policy and Program Evaluation Graduate Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Policy and Program Evaluation (PPE) provides students the opportunity to gain expertise in policy and program evaluation methods, including completion of an applied evaluation project. In addition to the public and nonprofit sectors, the certificate is appropriate for individuals in disciplines such as criminology, education, economics, gerontology, social work, and sociology who need to conduct assessments of the programs for which they are responsible.
Certificate Requirements
This program consists of a six-course sequence (18 credits): 5 required courses (15 credits) and 1 elective (3 credits). The Certificate may be taken by non-degree students or in conjunction with 1) the Master's in Public Policy Administration degree program; 2) the Master's in Social Work/Master's in Gerontology degree programs; or 3) the Master's in Economics.
Students with sufficient job experience in program/policy evaluation may submit a written request to waive the Applied Evaluation Project requirement. If granted, this requirement will be replaced with a three-credit elective.
Students pursuing a graduate degree along with the certificate should check with their graduate advisor regarding which courses will also count towards their degree.
A maximum of two courses at the 4000 level can count towards the Certificate.
At least 12 of the 18 credits must be taken in residence at UMSL.
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| P P ADM 6000 | Introduction to Policy Analysis | 3 |
| P P ADM 6010 | Introduction to Policy Research | 3 |
| or SOC WK 5450 | Social Work Research Methods and Analysis | |
| or ECON 4100 | Introduction to Econometrics | |
| or ECON 5100 | Econometric Theory and Methods | |
| P P ADM 6750 | Applied Research Design | 3 |
| or SOC WK 6400 | Practice and Program Evaluation | |
| POL SCI 6402 | Intermediate Techniques in Policy Research | 3 |
| P P ADM 6950 | Internship (which must include an evaluation project) 1 | 3 |
| or P P ADM 6751 | Applied Evaluation Project | |
| or SOC WK 6800 | Graduate Field Practicum II | |
| or SOC WK 6850 | Graduate Field Practicum III | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Applied Econometrics | ||
| Geospatial Analysis in the Social Sciences | ||
| Fundamentals of Cost-Benefit Analysis | ||
| Advanced Techniques in Policy Research | ||
| Multi-Method Research Design | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
SOC WK 6800 or SOC WK 6850 must include an evaluation project.
Requirements for admission to the graduate certificate program include an undergraduate degree and a GPA of 3.0 or better. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, preferably with at least one from a current or former college-level instructor. Applicants must submit a personal statement explaining how the certificate program fits in with the applicant’s educational and professional goals. The letters and the personal statement should be sent directly to the Public Policy Administration Program.