Hands-on program evaluation training: The evolution of a doctoral course

Abstract

This article provides details of the background for the focus of this special issue—the accounts from groups of students who conducted evaluations of a local agency while enrolled in a Program Evaluation course in a Psy.D program. These projects were a part of the 5th year that students in the course worked explicitly with an agency on a Program Evaluation. Important themes and insights from the experiences of all 5 years are presented. Analysis of course evaluation data indicates these evaluation group projects were associated with a significant increase in the rating students gave the course. Comments from students on the evaluation forms likewise support the value of this experience, as well as pointing out some additional areas for consideration.

Keywords:

• Collaboration
• experiential learning
• program evaluation
• service learning training