CRJS 6960 - Program Planning and Evaluation
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43874,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Latricia Kyle
Email: llkyle@ysu.edu
Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Social science research: Principles, methods and practices | Anol Bhattacherjee | Textbook is uploaded in course (9781475146127) |
Renfro, J. L. (2023). Public administration: The essentials. University of Northern Iowa. Textbook is uploaded in course.
DeCarlo, M. (2018). Scientific inquiry in social work. Open Social Work Education. Textbook is uploaded in course.
National Institute of Justice
https://nij.ojp.gov/
CrimeSolutions
https://crimesolutions.ojp.gov/
OJJDP Model Programs Guide
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/model-programs-guide
Read Renfro: Chapter 1 Public Administration - The Basics
Read Renfro: Chapter 5 Public Policy
Read Renfro: Chapter 3 Organizational Management & the Foundations of Administration
Read DeCarlo: Chapter 12 Experimental Design
Read DeCarlo: Chapter 3 Reading & Evaluating Literature
Read Bhattacherjee: Chapter 3 The Research Process
Read Bhattacherjee: Chapter 3 The Research Process
Read National Institute of Justice Article: Evaluating Technology-Based Services for Victims of Crime
Read DeCarlo: Chapter 15 Real world Research
Read DeCarlo: Chapter 1 Intro to Research
Read DeCarlo: Chapter 16 Reporting Research
Read DeCarlo: Chapter 5 Ethics in Social Work Research
Read Bhattacherjee: Chapter 16 Research Ethics
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Read Renfro: Chapter 1 – Public Administration – The Basics | : Introduction to Program Planning and the Program Evaluation | DQ #1 Chapter 1 (due 08/31/2026) Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday DQ #2-Introduction Discussion Post (due 03/16/2026) Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday |
| 8/31 | Read Renfroe: Chapter 5: Public Policy | Public Problems, Community Needs, and Strategic Planning | Quiz #1: Chapter 5 due 09/06/2026 |
| 9/7 | Read Renfroe: Chapter 3: Organizational Management & the Foundations of Administration | Needs Assessment and Stakeholder Analysis | Quiz #2: Chapter 3 due 09/14/2026 DQ #3: Chapter 3 (due 09/14/2026) Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday |
| 9/14 | Read DeCarlo: Chapter 12: Experimental Design | Foundations of Program Evaluation and Evaluation Design | Quiz #3: Chapter 12 due 09/21/2026 |
| 9/21 | Read DeCarlo: Chapter 3: Reading & Evaluating Literature Read Bhattacherjee: Chapter 3: The Research Process |
Developing Evaluation Questions | DQ #4 Chapter 3: due 09/28/2026 Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday |
| 9/28 | Read Bhattacherjee: Chapter 3: The Research Process | Preparing for Program Implementation | Quiz #4: Chapter 3 Bhattacherjee |
| 10/5 | Read: Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Implementation Science Checklist Series Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Implementation Science Checklist Series – Step 3: Prepare for Implementation (2021) |
Program Implementation and Organizational Leadership | Written Assignment: Program Implementation & Planning due 10/11/2026 |
| 10/12 | Read National Institute of Justice Article: Evaluating Technology-Based Services for Victims of Crime | Implementation Fidelity and Process Evaluation | Annotated Bibliography Assignment due 10/18/26 |
| 10/19 | Read DeCarlo: Chapter 15: Real world Research Read OJJDP Model Programs Guide |
Outcome Evaluation and Measuring Program Success | Quiz #5 Chapter 15: due 10/26/2026 DQ #5: due 10/26/2026 |
| 10/26 | Read DeCarlo: Chapter 1: Intro to Research | Evidence-Based Criminal Justice Programs | DQ #6 Chapter 1: due 11/02/26 Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday Quiz #6 Chapter 1: due 11/02/26 |
| 11/2 | Research YSU Library Research & Review National Institute of Justice (NIJ) |
Performance Management and Accountability | Critical Thinking Exercise #1 due 11/09/2026 |
| 11/9 | Research & Review an NIJ evaluation report of a Crime Solutions program profile | Budgeting, Resource Allocation, and Program Sustainability | Critical Thinking Exercise #2 due 11/162026 at 6:00 p.m. |
| 11/16 | Read DeCarlo: Chapter 16: Reporting Research | Communicating Evaluation Findings | Quiz #7 Chapter 16 due 11/23/26 |
| 11/23 | Research National Institute of Justice Research Crime Solutions |
Using Evaluation Results for Program Improvement | DQ #7 due by 11/20/2026 |
| 11/30 | Read DeCarlo: Chapter 5: Ethics in Social Work Research | Ethics and Future Challenges in Program Planning and Evaluation | DQ #8 Chapter 5 due 12/07/2026 Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday |
| 12/7 | Read DeCarlo: Chapter 5: Ethics in Social Work Research Read Bhattacherjee: Chapter 16: Research Ethics |
Integrating Program Planning and Evaluation | Final Exam due 12/07/2026 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.