Graduate Coursework Programs
Health Program Evaluation
Students specialising in Health Program Evaluation acquire knowledge and skills in both the theory and applied practice of the evaluation of health programs and interventions. There is a strong emphasis on broadening the roles of program evaluation to include program planning, design, implementation, or monitoring as the evaluative focus, as well as the more traditional impact evaluation. The importance of negotiation and planning of program evaluations with commissioners and stakeholders to enhance knowledge utilisation is stressed, and students develop skills in defining appropriate evaluation questions; applying a variety of data collection and analysis strategies; the effective reporting of evaluations; and developing different evaluation plans for pro-active, clarificative, interactive, monitoring and impact evaluation purposes. The role of program evaluation in the conduct of public health programs and its role in the support of health care management through capacity building is examined.
Students may choose to combine their study of Health Program Evaluation with the study of Economic Evaluation, as both represent important approaches to health services research and evaluation. There is a wide choice of subjects focusing upon Health Program Evaluation and the closely associated Health Services Research.
Local and international graduates with a health program evaluation specialisation find work in organisations in a variety of roles, including the commissioning and management of evaluations; undertaking program evaluations within the organisation; program and intervention development, delivery and evaluation; policy analysis; and quality accreditation. All are involved in program evaluation utilization, a form of knowledge transfer. Many work where their specialisation is their key role, while most have program evaluation as an important role in their work.
Graduates wishing to follow a program in Health Program Evaluation can choose the following option:
Master of Public Health with a specialisation in Health Program Evaluation.