The graduate minor in Program Design and Evaluation is an opportunity for graduate level focus on key elements of this research for social change degree. Students must complete 9 units of credit.
How to Apply
Due to the University of Arizona's current financial situation, admissions to our PhD Minor in Program Design & Evaluation are currently on pause. This means you will not be able to apply to our program until this pause is lifted. If you are interested in taking our minor, please reach out to the Director of Graduate Studies Keith Bentele at dgssirow@arizona.edu for more information.
To declare the Ph.D. Minor, please contact SIROW’s Director of Graduate Studies (dgssirow@arizona.edu).
Program Requirements
The Ph.D. minor requires the following courses:
This course will focus on models of decision science and solution identification in applied settings. Students will examine how these models have been applied to prominent challenges, or problems, of the time. Students will also learn about models of behavior and system change, and considerations of solution feasibility and contextual parameters as they pertain to viability of potential solutions. They will learn how to apply these models to challenges they are interested in, such as creating sustainable agriculture, reducing homelessness, and increasing healthy behaviors.
This course will focus on the methods and tools of monitoring and evaluation used to address identified challenges or problems. This course will survey different goals of monitoring and evaluation including, for example, practice or program improvement and impact assessment. In conjunction, this course will survey corresponding types of monitoring and evaluation, such as process and outcome evaluation. Students will design a program or policy evaluation and monitoring plan for an instructor-selected community organization.
This course will focus on models and methods of disseminating research findings to inform movement to address a challenge or problem. Students will learn about audience, audience- and goal-specific messaging framing, data analytics, and findings presentation. Stakeholder audiences such as funders, consumers, community-based organizations, government officials, and community members will be considered. Students will develop and apply skills to disseminate research through program and policy briefs using multimedia platforms.
Additional Requirements
A comprehensive examination will be administered by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Instructors for the required courses. The examination will be an hour-long oral examination consisting of two questions. This is meant to be a directed conversation with students during which they showcase their application of course content and learning to their areas and/or project(s) of interest.
Program Instruction
Faculty with expertise and decades of experience in community-focused, translational research from the Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW) will provide online instruction and guidance. External experts will enhance course learning by sharing experiences and discussing focal issues of importance.
SIROW faculty have deep relationships with community organizations. They will facilitate the development of applied learning relationships for students. These faculty work in several areas such as economic disenfranchisement, immigration, social inclusion and equity, health-related disparities, LGBTQ civil liberties, harm reduction, homelessness, sexual health and HIV, gender equity, employment, and education equity, and criminal and juvenile justice.
SIROW is a regional resource and research institute renowned for collaborative and translational research focused on leveraging health and social equity through evidence.
Questions?
For more information about the PhD Minor in Program Design & Evaluation, contact SIROW’s Director of Graduate Studies (dgssirow@arizona.edu).