Expand Your Expertise
The Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation is designed for those who are working with educational and youth-serving organizations – including K-12 schools of all types, as well as non-profits and other related organizations. This certificate gives you expertise in using data to evaluate the programs and make strategic decisions on future curriculum direction.
Time to Complete
8 months – 4 courses in two summer sessions, and one more course in Fall semester ending in December
Credits
5 courses totaling 13 credits
Program Highlights
- This program is perfect for students with busy schedules: Being completely online in an asynchronous platform, students benefit from the ultimate convenience.
- You choose some courses: There is some choice in courses, allowing you to select the option that is most beneficial for your goals.
- You receive a credential from a respected University: CSU is a leading public, urban, research university, giving you the opportunity to learn from professors who are involved in large-scale research on learning sciences, particularly in urban environments.
Admissions Requirements
- Have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Apply for admission to Cleveland State University
It is highly recommended that EDB 601: Educational Research be completed before taking the program courses.
Courses
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDB 572 | Statistics for Health and Human Services | 3 Credits |
| EDB 711* | Educational Evaluation & Innovation | 3 Credits |
| EDB 715 | Applied Programming & Data Analysis with Statistical Software | 2 Credits |
Choose between
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| UST 510 | Proposal Writing | 4 Credits |
OR
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDB 620 | Psychology of the Adolescent Learners | 3 Credits |
| EDU 701* | Advanced Research Design | 2 Credits |
*EDB 601 or equivalent (an introductory research course) is a prerequisite for these courses.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and financial aid for CSU programs are kept competitive so you can receive the education you deserve. Tuition for online programs and courses follows the same fee structure as traditional, on-campus programs and courses. Current CSU Graduate tuition costs can be found on the Bursar’s website.
Approximately 70% of CSU’s students receive some form of financial assistance. The University participates in or administers all the major federal and state grant and loan programs. In addition, CSU provides University grants and scholarships.
To begin the financial aid process, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must file a FAFSA every year after January 1st to receive your financial aid. Cleveland State University’s financial aid school code is 003032.
If you have any questions, visit the Financial Aid section of CSU’s website, or contact the Financial Aid office.
Faculty
For our professors, teaching isn’t a profession — it’s a passion. More than 90% of our full-time professors hold the highest degree in their fields. The faculty members who teach online are the same faculty members who teach our traditional, on-campus courses. All faculty members schedule time to meet or talk with students, and they are eager to provide students with personal attention and feedback.
Our faculty’s outstanding achievements in research and scholarship are reflected in an overall increase in research funding. In addition, faculty present their work in nationally and internationally renowned journals, and as speakers at seminal conferences in their fields. For more information on individual CSU faculty, see Cleveland State University Faculty Profile index.
Student Success Coaching
At CSU, you will be paired with a Student Success Coach to support you on your journey from acceptance into a program to graduation. Coaches help with:
- Time management
- Study strategies
- Focus techniques
- Work-life balance
- Academic support resources
- Navigating University policies and procedures
- Resolving issues and locating the right resources
Student Success Coaches will reach out to you for a welcome call early in your program. Coaches can help you create an academic success plan with strategies and goals that will help you be successful. Student Success Coaches are available to you throughout your program. Student Success Coaches do not replace academic advisors or other counselors, but rather work as a team with them to provide you with all the right resources.
Career Outcomes
Take the next step in your career. This certificate is used to enhance your skills and marketability for a career in an educational or youth-serving organization. The program evaluation skills developed in this program are excellent for teachers and administrators at all types of schools, as well as for those in youth-serving non-profit organizations. Earning this certificate recognizes you as a member of the CSU alumni community; an institution with measurable notability in the education space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program meant for those in K-12 schools?
This program was designed for those in a broad variety of careers – including those in K-12 schools, but also for those in non-profit organizations that are related to education and/or youth.
What is program evaluation?
Program evaluation is the process of gathering and analyzing data using research methods to understand how well a program is functioning and to find ways to improve the program. In this certificate program, you will focus on the skills needed to evaluate educational and youth-serving programs and the decision-making process to improve these programs.
Why is the certificate 12-13 credits?
The pathway through the program that is always offered online has five courses and 13 credits. There is also a course in grant-writing that is often offered online, but is occasionally face-to-face. For anyone who prefers to take this course, it can be taken in lieu of two others, for a total of 12 credits in the certificate (please see the list of courses for details on this).