Educating Evaluators 1976–2017: An Expanded Analysis of University-Based Evaluation Education Programs

Abstract

2015 was designated the International Year of Evaluation, suggesting that evaluation has an important role to play in service of positive global ideals. It is vital to recognize the critical role that the education of evaluators plays in these efforts. The current study uses an online search and curricular analysis to provide a snapshot of evaluation education in late 2017 as well as a retrospective analysis of advanced degrees in evaluation offered at universities across time. The results indicate a period of dramatic growth in the number of certificates and master’s degrees being offered at universities across the world over the decades, with a minor decrease in doctoral programs in the past 5 years. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords

teaching of evaluation evaluation training university programs evaluation degrees evaluator education

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