The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Courses & Registration

EDUC 690P Foundations of Program Evaluation – Beginning Fall 2019!

The purpose of this course is to introduce (or re-introduce) participants to program evaluation, the process of collecting, analyzing and maximizing use of systematically collected information about the significance, worth, and/or quality of organizational services and activities. We will explore the purposes, principles, practices of program evaluation and consider how various evaluation approaches are applied in a range of settings and contexts.


Those who complete the Certificate will successfully complete five three-credit courses:

    • Foundations of Program Evaluation (required first course)
    • Data Collection and Analysis for Program Evaluation
    • Data Visualization for Program Evaluation
    • Evaluating Organizational Collaboration
    • Capstone in Program Evaluation

Online courses are typically 12 weeks long and include readings, online discussions and both practical and written assignments tailored to your own program evaluation context. Assignments may also include multimedia presentations, virtual small group work, and online presentations of students’ products. Participants should expect to spend approximately 10 hours each week on coursework.

You can take just 1 or 2 courses, if you wish, for your own professional development, and you will receive 3 graduate credits for each course. You are not required to take all 5 courses. Do note, however, that you are only eligible for the Graduate Certificate if you complete all 5 courses. However, if you sign up for any of the courses, you are required to do the assignments. Even if you don’t want the university credits for completing the course, doing the assignments is important to help you process what you are learning. Also, sometimes other students will share their assignments with you and you will share yours with them, or you may work on a group assignment together; thus everyone learns more. If people take the course without doing the assignments, it makes the course less valuable to all.

The Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation is pending approval.

Registration

You can enroll yourself in our courses through SPIRE, the student information system for the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Close up of student's hands at laptop

  1. Create a student account. Go to spire.umass.edu. On the right hand menu, under “Apply/References” click on “Non-Degree Enrollment Application” and fill out the form there. Please note that although there is a field for Social Security Number, you do NOT need a Social Security Number to apply – just leave that field blank.You will receive an email with your NetID and password (this may take up to 3 days.)
  2. Get an enrollment appointment. Once you have received your NetID and password, activate your account and log in to SPIRE (spire.umass.edu) with your new NetID and password.
    • Go to Main Menu > Enrollment > Summer/Wntr/Non-degr Enroll Appt and follow the instructions.
    • (NOTE: It can take 1-2 days for SPIRE to recognize your NetID, so if you do not see these screens, try again the next day.)
  3. Register for the class. The enrollment appointment should be available immediately.
    • Go to Main Menu > Enrollment > Add Classes.
    • Search for the class (ex, EDUC 690P). If you are a current student enrolled in a UMass Amherst degree program, select the University section. If you are a non-degree Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) student, select the CPE section.
    • Add the class to your Shopping Cart, then select the class from the Cart to enroll.

View example step-by-step screenshots for Step 2: Get an enrollment appointment.

View example step-by-step screenshots for Step 3: Register for class.

If you are having trouble with registration, please contact the Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) Registrar’s Office at regoff@oe.umass.edu or (413) 545-3653.


For more information, please email evaluation@umass.edu

Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation
College of Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst
813 North Pleasant St
Amherst, MA 01003