Impact Measurement and Program Evaluatio

In this intensive course, Executive MPA students will learn how to manage an impact measurement and program evaluation lifecycle through lectures, discussions, case studies, readings, and a team project. Students will learn and apply core concepts, methodologies, and frameworks used in the field, as well as be introduced to the use of technologies such as lean data, AI, geospatial tools, mobile, and NLP. Students will consider how to account for diverse stakeholders, risks, counterfactuals, attribution, and the ethical issues involved in data collection, analysis, and reporting. They will also examine critical questions, including: What is the impact, and who is to define it? How do we account for unintended consequences? How should long-term outcomes be measured meaningfully while satisfying short-term investment horizons?  Finally, students will consider how the practice of impact measurement and program evaluation can be leveraged to inform program design and strategy, strengthen mission alignment, deepen accountability, and foster a culture of continuous learning in government, nonprofit, and private sector actors.