Introduction to the concepts and practices of human services program evaluation. Emphasis upon program evaluation as a research process. Hands on experience with the techniques, procedures, computer applications and conclusions and reports of evaluation. Accountability has come to the nonprofit sector with a vengeance. One of the principal means by which agency stakeholders expect nonprofit executives to act responsibly is by documenting the quality of the services offered by their organizations.
Documentation requires judging the effectiveness and efficiency of programs through evaluation.
Program evaluation is a systematic research process requiring a high level of expertise and experience. This course is designed to provide a basic foundation for Human Services Management students who may be given responsibility to develop strategies to evaluate programs and organizations within the human services sector. Prepare student to assume responsibility for evaluation activities. Students will be capable of identifying evaluation strategies and selecting evaluation tools appropriate to the needs of a specific evaluation responsibility. Students will develop skills in both design and implementation of agency wide evaluation systems and targeted evaluation research.