Evaluation Lab

Evaluation Lab — 6 Credits

The Evaluation Lab is one of the most distinctive features of the UNM MPP — and one of the experiences our alumni cite most often as transformative.

Over two semesters, you will work in partnership with a real community organization to design and conduct a genuine program evaluation. This isn't a simulation. Your work will be used. The organizations you partner with — nonprofits, public agencies, and community groups working on issues like homelessness, child welfare, education, and public health — rely on the evaluations MPP students produce to improve their programs and make the case for continued funding.

The Lab emphasizes collaborative, culturally competent problem-solving, rigorous data analysis, and clear communication of technical findings to non-technical audiences. You will work under the supervision of an Evaluation Lab Team Lead and alongside fellow MPP students, developing the professional skills and community relationships that stay with you long after graduation.

The Evaluation Lab is offered as a paid fellowship. Students apply for one of the available spots through a competitive application process. Spots are coveted — and for good reason.

The two-semester sequence (Evaluation Lab I in the fall, Evaluation Lab II in the spring) is offered as PUBP 502. Students who are unable to complete the two-semester sequence may fulfill this requirement through the Evaluation Lab Summer Institute, a five-day intensive course typically offered in June or July.

Learn more at the Evaluation Lab website, including how to apply.