The admissions criteria will identify those applicants who are likely to be successful evaluation professionals. Specifically, the program seeks to attract applicants who have:

1. A demonstrated commitment to social change and betterment through effective programs and other interventions, and

2. An academic and/or professional background that indicates the ability to successfully complete the program. Acceptance to the program is based on a composite of the applicant’s scholastic record, any standardized test scores, letters of reference and a personal statement. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Admission is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities.

Our graduate application system is designed to put you in control of the application and all documents associated with it. 

You’ll need:

1. A completed online application
2. A bachelor’s degree in any academic background from a regionally accredited institution
3. A current résumé
4. Applicants should have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a scale of 4.0 = A); however all applications will be considered.
5. Unofficial copies of your transcripts (we'll need official versions once you're admitted)
6. Letters of recommendation - Applicants must provide letters of recommendation from two people familiar with their academic record and/or professional achievement. Undergraduate students in good standing at UD who are recommended by their department may apply to the program waiving the second recommendation letter and the application fee.
7. A personal statement - Applicants must submit a written statement of the reasons for their interest in evaluation, their motivation to pursue a graduate degree and their professional goals and objectives.

If English is not an applicant’s first language, then the applicant must demonstrate a satisfactory command of English. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or TOEFL Essentials is required of all foreign national applicants. If TOEFL scores are submitted, a minimum score of 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (TOEFL iBT) is required for consideration for admission. If TOEFL Essentials scores are submitted, a minimum score of 10.5 is required for consideration for admission.

GRE scores are not required.

Group Programs

Organizations may work with the UD Graduate College to create a partnership application to the program that includes a group of individuals. The Graduate College will consider these agreements on an individual basis.

Concentrations

At the time of application, applicants will specify their preferred concentration area, as well as their first and second alternative concentration areas. These alternate concentration areas will be used if the preferred concentration area is full. 

University Policy on Admissions

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Applicants for the master of science in evaluation science will apply to the Graduate College. 

The M.S. in evaluation science requires 30 credits of coursework at the graduate level. The 30 credits of coursework include 21 credits of required courses and a 9-credit concentration.

Spanning six colleges across the University, the nine concentrations range from methodologically focused coursework, including applied statistics, business analytics and bioinformatics data science, to content-focused coursework, including early childhood policy, educational technology, education policy, health policy, higher education policy and public policy.

Core Courses

Area A: Evaluation Core (9 credits) 

• EVAL680: Foundations of Evaluation

• EVAL755: Evaluation Models and Management

• EVAL615: Research Design and Methods

Area B: Mixed Methods Core (12 credits)

• EVAL770: Quantitative Methods and Analysis

• EVAL780: Survey Research

• EVAL771: Qualitative Methods and Analysis

• EVAL781: Mixed Methods Research

Concentration

Area C: Concentration (9 credits) 

• Students may concentrate in one of nine concentrations spanning six colleges across the University. Concentrations range from methodologically focused coursework, such as business analytics, statistics and bioinformatics data science, to content-focused coursework, such as education policy, public policy and health policy.

In the event that a student’s area of interest is outside of the scope of existing concentrations, students may create a 9-credit individualized plan of study in conjunction with their advisor. This plan of study may include 3-9 credits of coursework and/or up to 6 credits in a practicum or independent study research project.

Certificates

• Students completing the program will earn two certificates for their core coursework: (1) a Program Evaluation Theory and Design Certificate and (2) a Research Methods Certificate. 

Concentrations

The master of science in evaluation science has a 9-credit concentration in a methodological or methods-focused content area.

Methodological Concentrations* include:

• Applied Statistics (in partnership with the Department of Applied Economic and Statistics/College of Agriculture and Natural Resources)

• Bioinformatics Data Science (in partnership with Bioinformatics and Computational Biology)

• Business Analytics (in partnership with Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics)

Methods-Focused Content Concentrations* include:

• Early Childhood Policy (in partnership with the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences/College of Education and Human Development)

• Educational Technology (in partnership with the School of Education/College of Education and Human Development)

• Education Policy (in partnership with the School of Education/College of Education and Human Development)

• Health Policy (in partnership with the College of Health Sciences/School of Nursing)

• Higher Education Policy (in partnership with the School of Education/College of Education and Human Development)

• Public Policy (in partnership with the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration/College of Arts and Sciences)

 *Students will need to meet any established criteria for the concentration they choose.

The following table outlines the course requirements for each concentration: 

Variance in Degree Requirements
Students will be assigned an advisor upon admission. The advisor will work with the student to plan their concentration coursework. By the end of the first semester, the student, in consultation with the advisor, will have established a proposed plan of study. Individualized plans of study that are not predetermined concentration areas must be approved by the student’s advisor. Concentrations will appear on student transcripts; the description/title of an individualized plan of study will not appear on transcripts.

In rare circumstances, students may need to alter approved programs of study once they have entered the program for reasons such as scheduling conflicts or the creation of new courses directly related to the students’ goals. Students who wish to make changes to their program of study should first obtain permission from their advisor. The student must then make a written request to the Faculty Governance Committee to revise the program of study. Because most degree requirements can be met by more than one course (i.e., different courses in the participating units may be used to meet the requirements), variance in degree requirements is expected to be a rare event.

If students are involved in research projects involving human subjects, even administration of a survey, approval must be obtained prior to beginning any study. Information about obtaining approval may be found on Human Subjects in Research. If a project involves animal subjects, an Animal Use Proposal must be completed and submitted to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. 

We're Committed to Affordability

$1,116 Per Credit Hour

You could fund your program by receiving a grant, qualifying for federal or private loans, utilizing military benefits or pursuing employer tuition reimbursement. Our dedicated admissions and financial personnel will help you through the process, including enrolling in a payment plan if applicable.

Be in Demand

After getting its start as a way to assess educational and social programs in the 1960s and 1970s, evaluation science is now embraced by many other fields. There is a substantial need for evaluation in a variety of industries including – but not limited to – insurance, health, education, government, national security, scientific research and agriculture. In just about any field, there are programs where evaluation is needed. Total U.S. employment in evaluation science is expected to grow by 8.3 million jobs from 2021-31, with nearly a third of the new jobs in healthcare and social assistance.

Our Universitywide resources allow students to focus on a methodological or methods-focused content area related to their interests and professional needs. As active members of the American Evaluation Association and other affinity organizations, we continually keep ourselves apprised of the latest trends and advancements in the field and incorporate these developments into our curriculum.

A Great Career Choice

According to data from Burning Glass Technologies, the median salary in 2021 for graduates with master’s degrees in evaluation science was $80,893 in the mid-Atlantic region. Occupations with high demand in this region include program analyst, clinical case manager, policy analyst and research associate.

*Core facutly are in bold type

You can transfer up to 9 credits per University of Delaware policy.

Note: No transfers are accepted for the capstone course.

All requests for transfer credit should be directed to the student’s major department using a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form. Transfer credits will be accepted provided that such credits:

• Were earned with a grade of no less than B,

• Are approved by the student’s adviser and the chair of the student’s major department,

• Are in accord with the specific degree program of the student as specified by the unit’s Graduate Program Policy Statement,

• Are not older than five years,

• Are graduate level courses, and

• Were completed at an accredited college or university.

Graduate courses counted toward a degree received elsewhere may not be transferred into a degree at the University of Delaware. Credits from institutions outside of the United States are generally not transferable to the University of Delaware.

Learn more about transfer credit by viewing the Graduate College's Registration and Enrollment Policies.