Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This Programme Brief summarizes the contents of the Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) degree programme and is accordingly structured as follows. The programme rationale, aim, objectives and target group are outlined in Sub-sections 1.1 to 1.4 respectively, while the admission criteria and programme regulations are given in Section 2.0. Section 3.0 and 4.0 outline the assessment criteria and exemptions, while course codes and the programme structure are outlined in Sections 5.0 and 6.0 respectively.

1.1 RATIONALE

Monitoring is a continuous function that utilises the systematic collection of data on specified indicators to provide management and stakeholders with information on the extent of program progress and the achievement of objectives. The Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is an academic programme which seeks to develop sound and in-depth understanding on theoretical and practical aspects of monitoring and evaluation. This programme adopts standard methods, techniques and best practices that are increasingly employed by international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) and the World Bank in conducting monitoring and evaluation of development programmes in developing countries.

Such methods, techniques and practices not only expose but also equip students with sufficient knowledge, skills and attitude that are analytically and logically informed by results-based outcomes and impacts in development programmes. The underlying philosophy under this programme is underpinned by the overarching objective of producing competent experts who are proficient in carrying out monitoring and evaluation assignments in large scale development programmes. The programme is designed for students who possess a first degree in any discipline seeking to develop a career in a result-based monitoring and evaluation programs. It is also designed to enhance applied research skills for those aspiring to pursue advanced studies in monitoring and evaluation.

UNDP (2009:8) defines monitoring as the “ongoing process by which stakeholders obtain regular feedback on the progress being made towards achieving their goals and objectives”. An evaluation is “a rigorous and independent assessment of either completed or ongoing activities to determine the extent to which they are achieving stated objectives and contributing to decision making” (ibid). Both can be conducted to look at many things, including an activity, a project, a program, a strategy or even a policy. Monitoring and evaluation(M&E) systems are therefore important to provide the information that the various people concerned by a development intervention need for accountability, management and learning purposes.

In this course, students will learn about the different ways that development actors can assess their interventions and follow upon the different activities of a project or programming order to become aware of its short comings and successes and to identify the extent to which development operations are achieving the results that they seek to produce. The first part of the course will discuss the importance of monitoring and evaluation, its place within the project cycle and how different stakeholders relate to the process. It will also look at the various elements that must be considered during the project designing order to put the system in place, such as the theories of change that underpin development interventions, logical models and frameworks.

The second part of the course will look at the main components of a monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems well as different strategies and tools of data collection and their relevance to baseline studies, monitoring, end of project evaluations and impact assessments.

The third part of the course will focus on making sense of, using and communicating the information gathered through monitoring and evaluation. Considering the diversity of practices amongst development organizations, both indicator-based and outcome-oriented approaches to monitoring will be presented, but more emphasis will be given to those that are aligned with major donors’ requirements.

1.2 Aim

The aim of this course is to enable students to familiarize with Monitoring and Evaluation systems (M&E) through the assessment of results, effectiveness, improved processes, and performance within entities and the environments in which they operate.

1.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the programme, students should be able to:

1. Understanding of formulating, coordination and evaluating development programmes;
2. Understanding of the state-of-the-art competencies in M&E, including key principles and practices;

3. The ability to apply a significant range of professional and business skills, practices and techniques in M&E;
4. Understanding of planning and effective M&E leadership and executive decision-making in implementing the projects;

1. Understanding of designing monitoring and evaluation systems.

1.4 Objectives

The specific objectives of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research program are to:

1. maintain credibility by producing scientifically robust analysis and evidence of the environmental impacts of MSC certification;
2. provide accountability to donors and stakeholders on the contribution of MSC certification to the sustainability of fish stocks globally;
3. promote effectiveness by facilitating evidence-based decision making and reporting on organisational achievements and performance;
4. enhance organizational efficiencies and cross-organizational learning;
5. reinforce research capacity and information transfer to the global scientific understanding of fish stocks, fisheries management best practices and seafood certification; and
6. link environmental improvement and the underlying meaning of the MSC ecolabel to broader societal benefits such as social and economic resilience of fishery and seafood operations.

1.5 Learning and teaching activities

The lectures are based on self-study, lectures, module notes, and group work and in-class exercises. The lectures are illustrated with examples of major projects and the practice experiences of international firms. The use of exercises will illustrate the challenges of managing projects and project-based organisations in real-world settings. Students are provided with module notes that are based on the book listed below. Students are expected to engage in class discussions and exercises related to the topic of each week’s session. Lectures and recommended readings expose students to the basic concepts and theories. Knowledge and understanding of these areas is deepened with small group discussion and experimentation and assessed in assignments.

 A strong emphasis on independent reading and research in the course is particularly important for developing breadth of outlook at this level of study. Students are encouraged to locate relevant material in library serials holdings and via bibliographic databases. Group discussion and assignments are designed to encourage reflection on the complexity of organisations and management and the interaction of cohesion and diversity. Practical engagement with data collection and analysis confronts students with ambiguous situations. Computer lab sessions allow supported experimentation. Students are coached through the analysis of given data sets. Close tuition and set tasks in computer labs builds competency in the use of social network analysis software.

1.6 Expected study time

1.7 Additional Requirements

Active engagement, in classroom and through the completion of periodic tasks, will be considered to assess overall students’ performance, especially when at the borders of different mark bands.

1.2 TARGET GROUP

The MSc in Monitoring and Evaluation degree programme is designed to meet the growing demand for practitioners and researchers in Projects where stakeholders obtain regular feedback on the progress being made towards achieving their goals and objectives for example Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

2.0 ADMISSION, GRADING AND AWARD CRITERIA 

2.1 ADMISSION CRITERIA

To qualify for admission to the MSc in Monitoring and Evaluation degree programme an applicant must have any of the following qualifications:

• a degree in project management, engineering, and Monitoring & Evaluation from a recognised institution or
• any relevant degree from a recognised institution, provided that the candidate has studied projects related courses as part of the degree or any other recognised qualification.

2.2 REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE AWARD OF MSc DEGREE

2.2.1 Duration of study

The programme of study for the award of the MSc in Monitoring and Evaluation qualification shall be completed in a period of not less than 18 months and not more than three academic years.

For the purpose of computing the maximum period of study where a person undertakes the study for the MSc in Monitoring & Evaluation qualification, partly as a part-time/evening/distance education, three (3) courses successfully completed by the student shall count as one academic semester (one half year). 

2.2.2 Student progression

The Programme of study shall be taken in sequence approved by the ZCAS-U Senate.

Full time students

• Every semester, a full-time student shall register for and take four courses, provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• A part-time student who passes all the courses taken during the semester of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
• A part-time student who fails in one course in any semester may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course at the first available opportunity.
• A part-time student who fails two courses in any academic year will normally proceed to part-time studies until he or she has cleared the outstanding courses.
• No part-time candidate shall be permitted to proceed to the independent study (dissertation) of the degree programme unless he/she has satisfied the requirements of the course work.

Evening and distance education (DE) students

• Every semester, an evening or DE student shall register for and take three courses, provided that a student may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to take one additional course whether carried over from the previous academic year or additional in any one semester.
• An evening or DE student who passes all the courses taken during the semester of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
• An evening or DE student who fails in one or two or three courses in any semester may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course(s) at the first available opportunity.
• No evening or DE candidate shall be permitted to proceed to the independent study (dissertation) of the degree programme unless he/she has satisfied the requirements of the course-work.

Part time students

• Every semester, a part time student shall register for and take up to three courses.
• A part time student who passes all the courses taken during the semester of study shall be allowed to proceed to the next level of study.
• A part time student who fails in one or two or three courses in any semester may be permitted to proceed to the next level of study; provided that the student repeats the course(s) at the first available opportunity.
• No part-time candidate shall be permitted to proceed to the independent study (dissertation) of the degree programme unless he/she has satisfied the requirements of the course-work.

2.2.3 Deferred examinations

A student who is unable to attempt a scheduled assessment may be awarded a deferred assessment subject to a successful application based on extenuating circumstances. A deferred assessment shall be graded normally, i.e. the student shall be awarded the actual mark obtained in the assessment or a final grade of between D and A+ in the course.

3.0 COURSE ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

3.1 COURSE ASSESSMENT

Various summative and formative assessments will be used on this programme depending on the nature of the course. These include assignments, group reports, individual reports, tests, final examinations, quizzes, virtual class forum discussions, essays and case studies.

3.2 GRADING

To be eligible for the award of the MOEV degree, a student must have:

• Passed all the nine Courses.
• Adhered to the requisite course combinations in each semester.

In the grading of final examination results, the following scale will apply:

Pass grades

A+                   Distinction (86% and above)

A                     Distinction (76% – 85%)

B+                   Meritorious (66% – 75%)

B                     Very Satisfactory (61% – 65%)

C+                   Definite Pass (56% – 60%)

C                     Bare Pass (50% – 55%)

S                      Satisfactory, pass in a practical course

Fail grades

D                     Fail 49% and below

U                     Unsatisfactory, fail in a practical course

NE                   No examination taken

WD                 Was withdrawn from the course with unsatisfactory academic progress – recorded where a student has not completed the required level of course work after a warning from the Dean of the School. The Dean of the School has withdrawn the student from the course before the examination.

LT                   Left the course during the semester without permission

DQ                  Was disqualified in a course by Senate

DR                   Was de-registered for failure to pay fees

RS                   To re-sit the course examination only – recorded where a student is allowed by Senate to re-sit the final semester examination in the course, and to carry over the previous course work assessment.

3.3 CLASSIFICATION OF THE DEGREE

• In calculating the grade of the degree, the following points shall be applied to the grades obtained.
  1. A+ 6 points
  2. A                    5 points
  3. B+ 4 points
  4. B 3 point
  5. C+ 2 point
  6. C 1 point
• The grading of the MOEV is based on all grades obtained in all the nine courses on the programme. No points are awarded where a course has been repeated.
• The points for classification of the degree shall be as follows:

Distinction                  38 – 54 points

Merit                           27 – 37 points

Credit                          16 – 26 points

Pass                             0 – 15 points

4.0 EXEMPTIONS (ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING)

There shall be no exemptions from any course, regardless of a candidate’s qualifications.

5.0 COURSE CODES

The letters of the course codes are an abbreviation of the name of the programme while the first digit stands for the year of study. The second digit is the serial number of the course in the semester and the last digit indicates whether it is a first or second semester course. For example, MOEV211 means an MOEV second year, course number one offered in the first semester.

6.0 COURSE STRUCTURE

Each year of study is divided into two semesters and students are expected to take three courses in each semester.  The course structure is as shown in Tables 1 to 2 below.

Table 1 Year1 courses

  Year 2