College of Education and Human Development

Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development

Evaluation studies MA

in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development

Evaluation professionals bring a sophisticated toolkit of methods and models to help organizations understand what is happening in their programs and what could happen. Through organizational partnerships, you will work in real-life evaluation cases and get hands-on experience while in your program. With a master’s degree in evaluation studies, you will be able to provide specialized knowledge and skills to all kinds of professional settings, including education, governance, health care, industry, non-profits, and NGOs.

    This evaluation studies (ES) track program prepares you with the professional experience and the theoretical knowledge for a career in program evaluation.

    In this program, you will learn how to:

    • Frame and conceptualize organizational issues,
    • Assess the performance of public and nonprofit programs, and
    • Apply advanced techniques in evaluation and measurements in order to get actionable and reliable results.

      This degree prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:

      • Program evaluator
      • Program manager
      • Program specialist
      • Program developer
      • Organizational development specialist
      • Trainer or research manager
      • Adjunct instructor
      • Behavioral scientist

      Join us for an online info session!

       

      Coursework

        Program core (6 credits)

        Take a minimum of 6 credits from the following:

        • OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
        • OLPD 5502—Theory and Models of Evaluation (3 cr)

        Electives (3 credits minimum)

        At least 3 credits selected in consultation with advisor to meet 31-32 total credit requirement.

        Research design and methods (6 credits minimum)

        Two methods courses—one qualitative and one quantitative—selected in consultation with advisor.

        Related fields (6 credits taken outside ES)

        The master’s degree requires at least 6 semester credits to be taken outside the ES program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. These courses should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

        Such as:

        • EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr) or comparable stats course required
        • One additional EPsy measurement or methods course

        Thesis credits (10 credits)

        Take 10 or more credits of the following:

        • OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)

        Program core (9 credits)

        • OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
        • OLPD 5502—Theory and Models of Evaluation (3 cr)
        • OLPD 8596—Evaluation Internship (3cr)

        Electives (6-7 credits)

        Coursework related to the student's specialization, selected in consultation with the advisor. This will total 6-7 credits. These may be OLPD or outside courses.

        Research design and methods (6 credits minimum)

        Two methods courses—one qualitative and one quantitative—selected in consultation with advisor.

        Related fields (6 credits taken outside ES)

        The master’s degree requires at least 6 semester credits be taken outside the ES program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

        Plan B paper (3 credits)

        Total of 120 hours of work required. Students must take OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (3 cr). 

        How to apply

          Admission Deadline

          Applications are due by February 1 for a Fall semester start.

          Fall semester start only.

          Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.

          Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.

          Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.

          Admission Requirements

          Degree: Bachelor's degree

          GPA: Undergraduate 3.0

          GRE: Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.

          TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):

          TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above (21 writing/19 reading)
          IELTS = 6.5

          Tuition and funding

          Tuition information: CEHD | OneStop

          Financial aid: CEHD | OneStop

          Readmission

          If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.

          Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.

          1. Complete the proper online readmission application.

            If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
             
          2. Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.

            Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
             
          3. Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.

          Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.

          Individuals seeking readmission to the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.A. program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.

          Detailed application instructions

          Click here to access the online application for admission.

          Required fields in the application for admission are: Personal Information, Application Information, Educational Background, Languages, Awards & Activities, Employment/Residence Information, Financial Support, Applicant Statements #1 & #2, Recommendation Letters (limit 2), and  Resume or CV.  All other fields or application materials are optional, but will be taken into consideration if submitted.  

          Fees: 
          Review information about application fees here. The University of Minnesota Graduate School does not offer application fee waivers, reductions, or refunds.

          Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts, there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.

          GRE scores are not only not required, they are not considered for applications to this program.

          Statement #1, Personal Statement (required): Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person’s name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field. If you are applying for the Ph.D.—CIDE/Leadership for
          Intercultural and International Education (LIIE) or the Ph.D—EPL/Executive cohort programs, indicate this in your statement as well. [Please do not exceed two pages.]

          Statement #2, Diversity Statement (required): Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. [Please do not exceed one page.] 

          Statement #3: Extenuating Circumstances (optional): If your grades and/or test scores are not strong, and you would like to provide an explanation, please do so. [Limit 1200 characters.]

          Two letters of recommendation (required). The strongest recommendations typically come from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work. Other recommenders, such as employers, are also acceptable.

          English Language Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) Click here for more information about TOEFL Scores

          Common Ground Consortium Fellowship: If you wish to be considered for a Common Ground Consortium fellowship for African-American students indicate this by uploading your statement in the "Program Supplementary Information -Upload #1" section. The statement should briefly address the following: Given that the UMN is a public land grant institution, it is imperative that CGC scholars can both benefit personally from their membership in the program as well as further the university’s founding mission to contribute to scholarship that benefits the local and greater communities. Please describe how your participation as a CGC scholar would do the following: (a) enhance your graduate student experience, (b) prepare you for your chosen career, and (c) benefit the public.

          Questions?

          We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.