ORG610: Nonprofit Program Planning and Evaluation

Undergraduate Syllabus

Instructor & Contact Information

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Course Description

In this course, you will learn and implement the process of nonprofit program design and evaluation. You will learn how to develop the program’s theory of change, its corresponding logic model, and the means by which you will monitor, evaluate, and improve your program.  Part 1 focuses on the theory of change, which is the comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. Part 2 focuses on the logic model, which is a graphic depiction that presents the shared relationships among the resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact for your program. Part 3 focuses on the process of developing an effective and actionable evaluation and improvement plan.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Summarize the purposes of program planning and evaluation.
2. Elaborate upon the interconnected relationship of the Theory of Change, Logic Model, and Evaluation Plan in program planning and evaluation.
3. Develop a detailed assessment of your participants’ needs and a plan to assess client needs and capabilities in the future.
4. Apply knowledge of components of program development through the creation of a program theory of change, logic model, and evaluation plan.
5. Incorporate appropriate measurement, monitoring, and evaluation systems that inform program decision making and stakeholder engagement.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. This course supports the following program outcomes, marked with an asterisk (*).  After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains:

1. Nonprofit Structure. Apply the roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board of directors and the management team to provide governance and leadership to the nonprofit organization.
2. Finances. Apply basic accounting and budgeting principles in order to successfully manage the finances of a nonprofit organization.
3. Fundraising/Marketing. Apply basic marketing, communication and fundraising strategies in operating a successful nonprofit organization.
4. Nonprofit management. Apply nonprofit management principles related to program development, ethics, decision-making and nonprofit legal and regulatory requirements.*
5. Human resources. Apply the essential elements of nonprofit human resource management including volunteer management, hiring, firing, supervision and legal considerations.
6. Vocation. Create a synthesis of a reflective life vision and plan to enable 24/7 ministry based on God’s purposes for work and their own unique calling.
7. Cross-Cultural Ministry. Develop plans to apply cross-cultural principles toward effective ministry across diverse cultures.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

• Foundation, W. K. Kellogg (2004). WK Kellogg Foundation logic model development guide. WK Kellogg Foundation. Available for Free.
• Kettner, P.M., Moroney, R.M., & Martin, L.L. (2016). Designing and Managing Programs: An Effectiveness-based Approach (5th edition). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc. 288 pg. ISBN: 978-1483388304.

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

• Grading Scale 

• Deadlines to Drop Courses

• Attendance, Late Policy and Extensions

• Technology Requirements for Courses

• Standards of Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Policy

• What plagiarism is and how to avoid it 

• Credit Hour Policy, Grading Policy and Other Academic Policies

• ADA Policy, Learning Accommodations & Disabilities Services
• Student Code of Conduct 

• Library Services

Additional Policies:

• Privacy Policy

• Consumer Disclosures
• Additional policies are listed in our catalog

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: June 3, 2022