Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation

Purpose

The programme has been designed to provide a balanced training to students who require knowledge and skills in monitoring and evaluation methods. The programme is commensurate with similar programmes internationally and builds on the extensive experience of the course lecturers in doing evaluation studies in South Africa over the past 15 years. Given the dire need for rigorous and systematic monitoring and evaluation research in the public and private sectors in contemporary South Africa, this programme will equip students to undertake such research.

Rationale

There has been an increasing demand for specialised postgraduate training in monitoring and evaluation on the African continent. This demand is driven by public section reforms in many African countries as well as increasing demands for accountability by international donors and development agencies. As a result the past ten years have witnessed a huge increase in demands for accredited training in monitoring and evaluation studies - especially for an integrated, post-graduate level programme. This programme is the first of its kind in the country and - as far as we know - on the African continent.

A Bachelors Degree in the broad field of the social sciences acceptable to the institution (average of 65% in major subjects).

Recognition of Prior Learning

The University considers students applying for Recognition of Prior Learning in terms of the "Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning".

Access to the Qualification

Candidates for inclusion in the programme will be assessed in terms of their academic grounding through their undergraduate degree with at least an average pass mark of 65% in the majors as well as current professional and work context. In particular, preference will be given-where needed-to candidates who work as monitoring and evaluation specialists.

Level, credits and learning components assigned to the Qualification

• Exit level of programme; NQF Level 8.
• Duration (years); 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time.
• Total credits; 120 credits.

Learning component; NQF Level; Credits

• Core; NQF Level 8; 120 credits.

Total credits for Qualification; 120 credits.

All modules in this programme will be assesses internally. The final end-of-year examination will be internally examined and externally moderated. Since contact teaching and learning is the primary mode of delivery for Stellenbosch University, as well as for this programme, the institutional "Assessment policy" and "Regulations for internal and external moderation and the processing of results" apply directly and are appropriate.

Integrated Assessment

The programme will involve both contact teaching (through three contact sessions in January, March and September) as well as continuous web-based e-learning support.

Students (who may be full-time or part-time) will attend a structured seminar series during the three contact sessions. During the course of the year, students will be given regular feedback on their assignments to the five modules.