Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Program

Evaluation

IPDET ORIENTATION

June 13, 2012

Our “DPE” Program

• Program Objectives• Key Features• Target Markets• Annual In-take• Course Progression• Qualifications• Application Process

2IPDET Orientation – June 13, 2012

Program Objectives• To support the CES CE designation• To train evaluators in the methods and

management of evaluations• To understand where evaluation fits in the

broader contexts of public policy, strategic management, and oversight

• To train potential new evaluators, but also mid-career professionals across disciplines

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Key Features

• Accredited program• Offers executive, online (coming soon) and

traditional semester format• Works with various organizations using “live”

projects, including the CES• Works alongside IPDET – students gain

developmental evaluation experience• Access to federal, provincial and municipal

departments• Students can use the DPE to enter the MA 4IPDET Orientation – June 13, 2012

Where do Our Students come from?• Junior evaluators just starting out (50%)• Mid-career professionals wanting a change in

career path (30%)• People wanting the CE Designation (20%)_____________________________________• Federal and provincial departments (50%)• Municipal agencies (10%)• Non-profit organizations (approx. 20%)• Management consultants (approx. 15%)• IPDET (5%)

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Annual In-Take• The program aims for 20 registered

students per year given that hands-on mentoring is key to program success.

Year Applications Registered Completed

2007/08 22 18 182008/09 28 15 142009/10 35 18 172010/11 63 16 102011/12 55 21 In-progress

6IPDET Orientation – June 13, 2012

6-Course Program• PADM5420: Introduction to Policy and Program Evaluation (R)

– Exploring the field, and the Canadian context

• PADM5113: Qualitative Research Methods (R)– Methods used in qualitative policy and evaluation research

• PADM5114: Quantitative Research Methods (R)– Descriptive statistics, probability theory and sampling distributions, hypothesis testing of quantitative

and qualitative population parameters, and regression analysis

• PADM5272: Impact Evaluation (O)– Impact is examined from 3 perspectives: impacts of institutional arrangements; impacts of direct

program results; impacts related to social and economic benefit.

• PADM5215: Benefit-Cost Analysis (Value-for-Money) (O)– Benefit-cost analysis and its application to public-sector investment, pricing policy, discount rates,

marginal cost and shadow pricing, and the handling of risk and uncertainty.

• PADM5424: Evaluation Cases and Application (R)– Selected current issues and challenges in the management and methods of evaluation. Students are

required to integrate their learning through a major project. 7IPDET Orientation – June 13, 2012

New Initiatives• Building an online program (for 2013/14)• Regular peer review of evaluation projects for

advanced students with federal departments and agencies

• Mentorship program with selected institutions of government and non-government

• Regular panel discussions with the professional community (e.g., Winter 2012)

• To work alongside the CUEE to grow evaluation expertise in Canada

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Prospects in the Public Sector• Steady demand for evaluation in and

outside government;• Federal departments are always on the

look-out for new talent, municipalities are building evaluation capacity;

• Third sector demand is increasing;• Get involved with Lunch & Learn as a

way of networking.

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CES Case Competition

• Competition with all major schools in the country• Two rounds:

– Qualifying: February (conducted at home university) – the top 3 move on to final round;

– Final round: In May at CES Conference (new case).

• Preparations for the preliminary round are carried out in January with faculty coaches.

• In 2010, Carleton’s DPE sent a team to the finals and was first runner-up.

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IPDET Comes to Carleton

• 200 participants from all over the world• Top scholars in developmental

evaluation• Various workshops are provided on key

and emerging issues in evaluation• Chance to meet participants and build

an international network

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Research with Carleton Faculty

• We are building research capacity in evaluation as part of the DPE

• Faculty are involved with various research projects and associations (CES, AEA, IPDET, IRSPM, IPAC)

• Faculty are always looking for researchers (e.g., place-based evaluation; realist approaches)

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Qualifying for the DPE• Possible to take qualifying courses from IPDET that can

be applied to up to 3 courses (Intro, qualitative, quantitative) – the Crosswalk is located in your IPDET Program

• Students may apply to take qualifying exams in September, which are due in December (Cost is CDN$75/exam)

• Must achieve at least a B+ grade on exams• Would have to pass intro course at minimum to take

courses in January term• At present, it is only possible to take the final course by

distance (PADM5424)IPDET Orientation – June 13, 2012 13

Applications Process

• Applications are open until 15 July 2012• You must have achieved a B+ average in the last

two years of your undergraduate program, or last 10 courses of your graduate program. Please note, meeting basic admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

• Applications are only available online at www.carleton.ca/sppa. Cost is CDN$100 to apply.

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Application Package Contents

In order for your application to be considered for the DPE

you must submit a complete application with the

following items:

• 2 letters of reference (in sealed envelopes); • 2 official copies of all undergraduate transcripts (in sealed

envelopes), and graduate transcripts if applicable;• 2 signed copies of the application summary sheet; • letter of intent;• Language Test Scores• Resumé; and • Sample of written work.

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And so….• Welcome to Carleton!• Take advantage of the School’s

offerings and talent while you are here attending IPDET!

• Feel free to discuss the DPE!• But, first and foremost, enjoy

your experience!

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