Make a measurable difference within an organization committed to social impact. Participants in this program will master practical skills from our project monitoring faculty with extensive experience in all phases of M&E management, in addition to guest lectures from practitioners in funding and implementing organizations.
The curriculum for the 12-credit online Graduate Certificate in Project Monitoring and Evaluation includes four courses.
Core Courses (9 credits)
PME 600: Principles and Theories of Evaluation
This course introduces the terminology, critical issues, and current debates in the field of evaluation, as reflected in evaluation theories and practice. The course teaches the skills necessary to design Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning plans that reflect varying purposes, fields, and contexts. Students learn how to develop Program Theories of Change Models, Evaluation Logic Models, and Evaluation Statements of Work, three documents important to Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning. Students partner with organizations they identify to plan an evaluation, including articulating the purpose of the evaluation; crafting evaluation questions; setting outcomes and indicators; and proposing data collection and analysis plans.
PROF 640: Evaluation: Qualitative Methods
This course teaches qualitative research skills for project planning, monitoring, and evaluation activities. Students will analyze the strengths, weaknesses, and uses of qualitative data, investigating the circumstances under which planners and evaluators use qualitative methods. Working with an academic practitioner, students will learn qualitative data collection tools and techniques, including participant observation, interviews, and focus groups. In collaboration with an organization in their local community, students will complete practical assignments that require the application of several data collection techniques.
PROF 650: Evaluation: Quantitative Methods
This course comprehensively introduces quantitative research methods, the skills to conduct survey research, and the knowledge to produce descriptive and analytical reports that meet the guidelines and expectations of professional practitioners in the field. Students explore various statistical procedures, starting from descriptive statistics, correlation, and graphical representation of data to inferential techniques, analysis of variance, and beyond, and practice using SPSS and R to manage data and generate statistical analysis reports. The course covers ethical considerations in quantitative data collection, data equity, and equity-impacting decision points in data projects. Using practical applications and real-world examples, students are guided through these topics in an informative and approachable manner to make this often-intimidating subject more accessible.
PME 610: Evaluation Approaches & Designs
This course emphasizes the use of mixed method performance and summative evaluation designs that measure progress, outcomes, and impact. Students learn to differentiate performance and impact evaluations, including the data designs needed to support each. The course introduces different performance evaluation designs, including snapshot, simple, cross-sectional, before and after, time series, and case study design; and then focuses on impact evaluation designs, including experimental and quasi-experimental designs. Students learn about different evaluation approaches, such as culturally responsive equitable evaluation, empowerment evaluation, and participatory evaluation. Students partner with organizations they identify to plan an evaluation (including its design and approach); craft theory of change and evaluation logic models; develop data collection instruments; collect and analyze data; and write an evaluation report.
Pursue an M&E Master's Degree by Taking 6 More Courses
American University offers a Master of Science in Measurement and Evaluation to provide you with the knowledge to lead evaluation efforts and the technical skills needed for analytically demanding roles in upper management. The program consists of 6 additional courses (10 courses total) and can be completed within 20-months. Learn more about the Master’s program.
To learn more about American University’s online Graduate Certificate in Project Monitoring and Evaluation and eligibility for the Dean’s Scholarship, request more information or call us toll free at 855-725-7614.
