Master of Evaluation
Course code: MC-EVALO
January, April, July, October
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available
Access Melbourne is available
January, April, July, October
AUD $37,984 (2026 indicative first year fee)
IELTS 6.5: with no band less than 6.0
Course structure
Overview
What you will learn
Students of this program will learn how to collect and analyse evidence to inform the delivery of successful programs, considering processes, output and outcomes, and consider various approaches to tackle the questions of value and engage with different methodological tools and traditions.
You will develop a wide-ranging understanding of evaluation literature and research including, the nature and purpose of evaluation, types of evaluations, methodologies for conducting research in evaluation, and evaluation-specific tools. You will also gain insight into the relationship between evaluation theory and contemporary practice by observing key practices and methods of data analysis.
This program encourages students to critically review important issues in the design, conduct, and use of evaluation. Students will become well-informed in using design options for maximising the impact of social interventions. You will also become well-versed in the political and social contexts of evaluation, as well as gaining insight into the economic methods of evaluation which analyse and compare costs with results.
Your studies will also give you a thorough understanding of the key trends in evaluation, such as the growing movement towards organisations requesting evaluators to build and develop their capability in evaluation thinking and practice.
Course structure
To gain the Master of Evaluation you must complete 100 points comprised of:
- Three core subjects
- A Capstone subject (EDUC90747 Evaluation Capstone)
- Four elective subjects.
Workload
On average, it is estimated that students will be required to allocate 15 -19 hours per week for ‘study’ time for each subject. However, the time commitment required can vary for each student based on individual task management and planning skills, familiarity with the material, reading style and speed.
Single subjects
You can also study single subjects to contribute to your professional development. For more information, please contact Student Support.
Explore this course
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this degree.
Students must complete all 3 core subjects
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Practice of Evaluation · 12.5 pts |
This subject focuses on connecting theory to evaluation practice. Topics include: evaluation-specific tools and methods; planning, conducting and managing evaluations; stakeholder engagement strategies; and evaluation reporting. |
| Applied Research Methodology · 12.5 pts |
This subject equips students with practical skills to select appropriate research methodologies for conducting evaluation research across diverse contexts. Students will learn to match evaluation questions and purposes with suitable methodological approaches, considering stakeholder needs, resources, and other contextual factors. Through hands-on activities, students will develop competencies in designing applied studies to suit different contexts and evaluative purposes. The subject emphasises the complexities of methodological decision-making within real-world evaluation contexts and prepares students to critically appraise the quality of existing evaluations. Ethical considerations are integrated throughout the subject. |
| Foundations of Evaluation · 12.5 pts |
This subject provides students with an introduction to evaluation fundamentals, including: the nature and purposes of evaluation, the logic of evaluation, types of evaluations, values, and professional standards. |
Students must complete the Capstone subject
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Evaluation Capstone · 12.5 pts |
Drawing on theory, knowledge, and skills developed throughout the Master of Evaluation, students scope and complete an individual project. The project is designed to provide an opportunity to practice from and reflect on learnings they have gained from the course. The capstone project is either 1) a participation in a real evaluation project, which leads to the production of a report, or 2) a critical review of a particular body of literature in evaluation, which leads to the production of a journal article. All students provide an oral presentation of their findings, either in person or via video conference. |
Students must choose 4 elective subjects
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Debates in Evaluation · 12.5 pts |
This subject examines the origins and evolution of evaluation theories, models and approaches. Topics covered include: the nature and role of evaluation theory; pioneering figures and major debates in evaluation’s short but rich history; approaches to classifying evaluation theories; and, the relationship between evaluation theory and contemporary practice. Classes will involve examining and critiquing evaluation theorists and theories through key readings, class debates and interactive role plays. |
| Qualitative Methods for Evaluation · 12.5 pts |
This subject provides students with an introduction to the theory and application of qualitative inquiry. Topics that will be examined include: orientations to, and debates surrounding, qualitative approaches; the collection, display and analysis of qualitative data; the use of systematic methods of data reduction, display and analysis and how qualitative research methods are commonly used in evaluation studies. |
| Mixed Methods Research & Evaluation · 12.5 pts |
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of mixed methods research and evaluation. Topics that will be covered include: the emergence of mixed methods approaches; nature and purposes of mixed methods studies; choosing mixed methods designs; synthesis of mixed methods data; strengths and limitations of mixed methods research and evaluation projects. Practical aspects of the course will involve the design of a mixed methods study incorporating qualitative and quantitative data sources. |
| Developing Evaluation Capacity · 12.5 pts |
Evaluation Capacity Building is explicit and implicit in most evaluation work. Explicitly, organisations across sectors seek to develop their people, systems, and structures to integrate evaluation into their day-to-day work to improve performance. Implicitly, conducting any evaluation usually involves helping clients and stakeholders better understand evaluation to get the most out of their investment in it. In this subject, students will explore the fundamentals of evaluation capacity building and learn to think evaluatively about how to effectively target and develop evaluation capabilities and capacities in individuals, groups and organisations. |
| Impact Evaluation · 12.5 pts |
This subject analyses design options for establishing the impact of social interventions. Topics include: causation; dealing with issues of attribution; conceptual and technical considerations associated with experimental and quasi-experimental design; and alternative strategies for causal analysis. |
| Evaluation and Value for Money · 12.5 pts |
Analysing and comparing costs with results involves a particular set of thinking and tasks – including economic methods of evaluation as well as wider considerations. In this subject, students will focus on developing the basic skills and knowledge needed to engage with evaluation in this area appropriately and effectively in their own practice. |
| Evaluation in Education · 12.5 pts |
This subject will introduce students entering, or already in, the education sector to the many ways that evaluation is used in education. The subject will begin with an introduction to the origins and the political and social contexts of evaluation as well as the nature and logic of evaluation. Subsequent weeks will focus on the applied fields of evaluation set in the context of education. There are six applied fields of evaluation that will be covered: 1) performance evaluation (student assessment; teacher reflective practice); 2) product evaluation (curriculum effectiveness); 3) program evaluation (school accreditation; organisational/systems-level evaluation); 4) personnel evaluation (teacher performance appraisal; principal performance appraisal); 5) policy evaluation (policy to practice and practice to policy studies); 6) proposal evaluation (assessing grant-making applications for funding). The subject will culminate with a look at meta-evaluation (evaluating evaluations). |
| Quantitative Methods for Evaluation · 12.5 pts |
This subject provides students with the knowledge and skills to conduct quantitative analysis and interpret statistical data in research and evaluation contexts. Students will learn to select appropriate quantitative approaches based on evaluation questions, data types, and analytical purposes. Through hands-on activities, students will develop competencies in sampling strategies, survey analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics, and data visualisation. The subject emphasises exploratory and confirmatory data analysis, interpretation of statistical results, and effective communication of quantitative findings to diverse audiences. Students will work with statistical software to conduct analyses and prepare professional reports. |