The Advanced Learning Certificate in Program Evaluation is designed to provide theory and relevant practice to build your expertise, effectiveness, and confidence in evaluating programs. As funders and donors increasingly view their support as an investment, competency in Program Evaluation has become an essential skill within health and human services organizations. Regular, systematic evaluation helps ensure organizations are delivering on their missions and acting as good stewards of donor dollars. To respond to the increasingly competitive funding landscape, human services organizations must not only measure impact; they need to be able to maximize their impact. This certificate program will help you align your resources and efforts to the change your organization strives to create.

The program design includes lectures, case studies, practice exercises, and readings – all carefully chosen to increase your skills. An optional 1:1 private consultation for your project or program is included. By the end of the course, all participants will walk away with a plan for evaluating the initiative or program of their choosing.

ONLINE PROGRAM: This 5-session program includes online class meetings on Fridays, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/4, and 12/5 via Zoom, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Central Time).

September 26 – December 5, 2025

Continuing Education Information:

• 45 Missouri/Illinois Social Work CEs

AN APPROVED APPLICATION IS REQUIRED BEFORE ENROLLING IN THIS COURSE. APPLY TODAY!

Application Deadline: September 12th by 5:00 p.m., Central Time.

Course Outline

The program is suitable for individuals involved in program planning or delivery in government, community organizations, or non-profits, including those looking to transition into evaluation or related roles within the health and social service fields. You do not have to be an alum of the Brown School to apply for consideration.

The cohort will meet over 11 weeks, with a 4-hour class meeting from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., every other Friday, respectively. Participants will have approximately 5 hours of work to complete between class sessions, including modest reading assignments required before each class meeting. All texts are included in the program fee.

Please note that only one class absence is permitted for the duration of the program.

Learner Outcomes

By the end of the program, participants will:

• Understand the different evaluation types, approaches, and evaluation competencies, including tenets of culturally responsive evaluation.
• Be able to conduct a stakeholder-driven evaluation planning process and develop a comprehensive evaluation plan.
• Know how to identify and prioritize key evaluation questions and select appropriate methods.
• Understand how to systematically manage quantitative data.
• Have practiced conducting basic data analysis using Excel.
• Understand and practice methods for collecting and analyzing qualitative data.
• Learn strategies for translating evaluation findings into compelling data visualizations to enhance strategic learning & utilization.

To successfully complete the certificate program, participants must complete course projects, such as developing a logic model and creating an evaluation plan, submitting contributions to class discussions, and completing mini-practice exercises related to the class content.

Testimonials

The course provided me with a new language, practical tools, and vital skills − to engage partners, evaluate programs, manage projects, and communicate data to diverse stakeholders.