STO 601 - PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION

College of Ag, Food and Environment

Credits: 3

The purpose of this course is to provide a basic understanding of program evaluation processes, concepts, and theories and to develop expertise needed to design and conduct systematic evaluations of formal and non-formal programs. The material to be covered is applicable to a wide range of topics and disciplines, including social welfare, youth development, family studies, agriculture and the environment, community/economic development, and other formal and non-formal educational programs. Such programs have a common goal of achieving their desired objectives and being held accountable for the resources they obtain from agencies and stakeholders. Because program evaluation is part of a larger interdisciplinary content area that includes research design and methods, the course will briefly cover needs assessment and asset building, with program development also being a necessary component. The majority of the course will focus on evaluation design, methods, and implementation. A range of program evaluation and research methods will be presented, and students will be encouraged to identify those approaches that most closely match their own philosophical perspectives, as well as strategies that will be utilized by their groups, organizations and current/future employers. Students will participate in class discussions and activities, reflecting on any experience working with community programs when applicable. Web-based publications, journal articles and the assigned text readings will comprise the content of the course.

Prerequisite(s):
Prereq: Admission to the UK graduate school; students in good standing;Degree-seeking student in the Science Translation and Outreach or Community Development and Leadership program in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Approved for Distance Learning.
Crosslisted with: CLD 665, SOC 665