At a glance
The CDC-Harvard Program Evaluation Practicum is an applied learning opportunity in evaluation. The practicum is specifically designed for maternal and child health (MCH) programs and students.
How it works
Program Evaluation Practicum
The practicum is a collaboration among:
- CDC's Division of Reproductive Health.
- Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH).
- The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
Each fall, MCH programs are selected from a pool of applicants from state, local, or tribal public health agencies. HSPH students who apply and enroll in the course are matched with an MCH program.
Teams are made up of two students and one to three program representatives, including an epidemiologist. During week 1 of the practicum, teams participate in an intensive public health evaluation course.
Course work includes:
- Understanding the concepts, elements, anatomy, and design of evaluation plans.
- Designing culturally responsive evaluation and integrating equity in evaluation.
- Developing logic models.
- Identifying indicators, data types, and data sources for evaluation.
- Using qualitative methods in evaluation and engaging communities.
Learning is complemented with hands-on exercises and team time.
In week 2, teams meet at the field site, where students work directly with the MCH program. Students also meet with key partners and local program constituents to gain additional insights for the evaluation plan.
The final evaluation plan is developed by students with the guidance of MCH program staff and partners. The evaluation plan is submitted by students to HSPH and CDC faculty for review. The MCH program receives the final plan after students consider comments by course faculty.
Summer Evaluation Practicum
The 5-week Summer Evaluation Practicum is an extension of the Program Evaluation Practicum. It helps participating programs implement evaluation plans developed during the winter course. The purpose of the Summer Evaluation Practicum is to:
- Help programs prepare for evaluation implementation.
- Help programs collect and analyze data for the evaluation.
- Implement the evaluation plan.
Students are expected to prepare a report summarizing activities, findings, recommendations, and lessons learned.
Common questions
Who can participate?
MCH programs at state, local or tribal jurisdictions, or other health organizations that:
- Aim to improve health or reproductive outcomes.
- Aim to address chronic or infectious disease in MCH.
- Aim to address emergency preparedness and readiness in MCH.
What is the time commitment?
Participating staff should expect to dedicate about 2 weeks to the practicum. Before the training, time should be set aside to:
- Prepare background information about the MCH program.
- Coordinate roles among the MCH program staff for the practicum.
- Coordinate meetings with program staff and community members.
- Ensure student access to site and program information.
- Schedule a presentation for the draft evaluation plan.