Online Program Evaluation and Data Analytics (MS)

Master the skills necessary to pursue a career in the field of data sciences, one of the “sexiest careers of the 21st century,” by earning an online MS in Program Evaluation and Data Analytics. Learn how to improve organizational effectiveness by translating data into actionable information through evaluation and performance frameworks.

Resident tuition | Non-resident tuition

This tools-based degree prepares you for a career that spans the public, nonprofit and private sectors using data-driven and evidence-based approaches to social impact. You will develop expertise in performance and evaluation frameworks for social programs, and foundations in the field of data science, one of the “sexiest careers of the 21st century” according to Harvard Business School Review.

The Master of Science in Program Evaluation and Data Analytics is a professional degree that emphasizes skills needed to leverage data to improve organizational performance in the public and nonprofit sectors. We have combined curriculum from the field of program evaluation, which provides tools to assess policy or program impact, with data science courses, which empower students to utilize a diverse array of data analysis tools in new and exciting ways. Your coursework will introduce you to impact analysis, data visualization, dashboards, and automation of reporting.

Unlike other data scientist degrees, this program is built using public sector and nonprofit examples. We do not assume that students have a background in computer programming before starting the degree. Courses build the technical skills necessary to implement rigorous approaches to collecting and analyzing data within public organizations to enhance performance management. ASU’s online degree in Program Evaluation and Data Analytics will prepare you to work as an analyst or manager.

ASU Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions:

Research is the forefront of all academic activities with 20 research centers for advancing research and discovery on challenges that affect us globally
Home to ASU’s most diverse student body —and the largest community of first-generation college students
#1 university in the U.S. for innovation
Named a prestigious global university
#4 university in the country for online undergraduate degree programs

Featured Courses

33 credit hours including the required applied project course (CPP 593)

SWG 623 Program Evaluation

CPP 523 Foundations of Program Evaluation I: Multiple Regression

Regression serves as the foundation for modern quantitative program evaluation techniques. Regression analysis is not a single thing--it is a powerful set of tools used to examine relationships in data and test hypotheses concerning the significance of these relationships. Regression can be used to analyze observational data, in which case it can be used to identify important correlations that help us predict when events will occur together. In the program evaluation context we are specifically interested in causal analysis, which allows us to determine whether a management practice, a nonprofit or government program, or a specific public policy has a positive impact. When certain conditions are met we can use regression analysis to estimate the impact of a policy or program. This course builds a foundational understanding of the mechanics of multiple regression, the proper interpretation of regression models and the circumstances in which we can use regression results for causal reasoning.

CPP 524 Foundations of Program Evaluation II: Research Design

Covers important concepts in research design and common quasi-experimental tools for causal analysis.

CPP 525 Foundations of Program Evaluation III: Advanced Regression Tools

Builds the program evaluation toolkit through practice with several common regression models that allow for the estimation of program impacts using a variety of analytical strategies.

CPP 526 Foundations of Data Science I: Introduction to Data Programming

The ability to collect, organize and analyze data is a desirable skill set for professional knowledge workers, high-level management and evaluators. Introduces the R data programming language, an open source platform that has become an industry standard because of its flexibility and power. Students will practice linking datasets; running analysis; and sharing results with stakeholders through reports, dashboards or web applications.

CPP 527 Foundations of Data Science II: Data Wrangling

This course emphasizes the data preparation cycle: gather, clean, tidy and wrangle data to produce a custom database used for analysis of programs or populations.

CPP 528 Foundations of Data Science III: Project Management

This course explores the main tools and practices of managing large or complex data projects and tools for collaboration. .

CPP 529 Data Analytics Practicum

Apply knowledge and tools from previous courses to practice building and analyzing custom databases. Students are given a collection of raw data that needs to be linked together in order to implement a specific research question. Students merge the data, wrangle it into the proper formats, analyze the data, and create a report with key findings.

Electives (6 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)

CPP 593 Applied Project (3)

Faculty

The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions are inspiring the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues around child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity.

Recent Faculty Highlights Include:

Fellow by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Fellow of the American Psychological Association
Director inducted into the National Academy of Public Administration

Related Careers

After completing your degree in Program Evaluation and Data Analytics you might follow one of several career paths. Some graduates will work with local, state, or federal government agencies on issues related to open data, smart cities or, community indicators. They utilize data to improve government performance and citizen experiences. Others might pursue careers as analysts at think tanks, research groups, or consulting firm such as World Bank, OMB, or Deloitte. Some may work with large nonprofits or international development agencies to measure program efficacy and develop monitoring and evaluation capacity.

Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in criminology or criminal justice, public administration or public service, sociology or social work, public safety or fire service management, parks and recreation management, applied sciences, environmental sciences or geography, public health, economics, urban planning, management, political science, nonprofit studies, law, journalism, humanities, STEM or another closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants are required to submit:

Graduate application and application fee
Official transcripts
Proof of English proficiency
Two letters of recommendation
A written statement, at least one page in length, which describes the applicant's educational and career goals and long-term professional development strategy
Evidence of current employment in an organization in this field or at least two years prior professional experience in this or a related field or a bachelor's degree in a related area

Additional Admission Information

An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.

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