Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Theory and Practice of Program Evaluation

Course Description

Program evaluation is a core competency in public health. This course will introduce students to the theories, approaches, methods, innovations and related to program evaluation. Designed as a practice-oriented course, this course will assist learners to develop evaluation and professional skills necessary to design and procure program evaluations.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1)      To describe the history and evolution of program evaluation

2)      To describe a program and its theory of change

3)      Describe, assess and choose between different approaches to program evaluation

4)      Design an evaluation plan for a real-world program and work with an external client.

Methods of Assessment

This course includes 4 assignments.

Assignments	Weight
1.       Program theory of change	20%
2.       Compare and contrast 2 evaluation approaches	30%
3.       Group work contract	no grade
4.       Evaluation plan ·         Presentation 10% ·         Evaluation plan 35% ·         Feedback from mentor 5%	50%

 Overview of weekly topics 

Week	Topic	Instructor
1	Overview of the course Evaluation – origins and generations	Carol
2	Theory of Change and Logic Models	Jackie
3	Purposes, types and designs of evaluation	Carol
4	Utilization focussed – 4th generation *Assignment 1 is due *	Jackie
5	Process and Outcome evaluation	Carol
6	Realist evaluation and developmental evaluation	Carol Guest speaker: Dr. Juando-Prats
7	Reading week
8	Policy and advocacy evaluation Divide class into evaluation teams and prepare Group Work Contract * Assignment 2 is due*	Carol
?	NEW?? Integrated program planning and evaluation	Carol
9	Program Mentor – presentations Meet your client	Carol and Guest Mentors
10	Each team meets with instructor to discuss preliminary design considerations	Carol
11	Meet with your client – location to be determine in consultation with your assigned mentor	Guest Mentors
12	Present evaluation design to the clients / class	Carol and Guest Mentors
13	*Assignment 3 is due* – deliver to Carol’s office HS 564