The Master of Policy and Program Evaluation (MPPE) is a full-time, two-year degree program, delivered in-person by the College of Public Policy at HBKU. The program features a distinctive combination of advanced methodological training, strong ethical foundations, applied evaluation practice, and innovation in evidence-informed policy and program design, with a particular emphasis on answering what works, for whom, at what cost, and under what conditions.

The MPPE provides training for graduate students from a range of disciplines in the skills needed to design, conduct, and communicate high-quality evaluations that inform policy and program improvement in Qatar and the region. The program offers world-class academic and professional training in policy and program evaluation, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method approaches; monitoring and performance management systems; and the ethical and responsible use of data and evidence. It also emphasizes stakeholder-informed and participatory approaches, ensuring that evaluation supports effective, inclusive, and sustainable decision-making.

 

Mission

The mission of the Master of Policy and Program Evaluation is to educate, equip and empower the next generation of ethically grounded evaluation professionals and policy practitioners in Qatar and beyond.

We strive to provide advanced knowledge and skills to design, conduct, and communicate high-quality evaluations that address complex policy and program challenges and support evidence-informed decision-making for the public good. Through a comprehensive and applied curriculum, students are equipped to assess effectiveness, efficiency, equity and value, and to translate evidence into actionable insights. We foster an inclusive and diverse learning environment that promotes a culture of excellence, integrity, respect, and fairness. We emphasize the design, analysis, and application of evaluation methods, including participatory and stakeholder-informed approaches, to improve policies and programs in a rapidly evolving and data-driven world.

The program enhances meaningful contributions to society through evidence use, accountability, and continuous improvement. Our graduates aspire to communicate findings clearly, engage stakeholders effectively and contribute to positive local and global impact through better policies and programs.

 

Number of Current Students (as of Fall 2025)

ProgramContinuingNew First TimeGrand Total
MPP241943
MSPPE141024
MGHP01616
Grand Total384583

 

MPPE Graduation and Completion Rates

Enrollment DateFall 2022Fall 2023Fall 2024Fall 2025
Graduation DateSpring 2024Spring 2025Spring 2026Spring 2027
Initial Enrollment10161312
Transfer1000
Dismissal / Withdrew1415
Effective Enrollment after Transfer, Dismissal, Withdrawal916127
# Effective Enrolled who Graduated, On-Time, Two Years9 (90%)12 (75%)12 (92.3%)In Process
% of Enrolled who Graduated in Three YearsIn ProcessIn ProcessIn ProcessIn Process
% of Enrolled who Graduated in Four YearsIn ProcessIn ProcessIn ProcessIn Process

Language

English

Program Duration

2 Years

Certification

Masters

Factsheet

The MPPE program builds on the core pillars of policy and program evaluation: evaluation design, economic analysis, ethics, and research methodology. The program is designed to combine methodological training, critical inquiry, and applied evaluation practice within an interdisciplinary learning environment. Distinctive features include a strong emphasis on ethics, evidence use, and engagement with real policy and program settings. The capstone and thesis pathways, together with sectoral electives, deepen the core training and provide opportunities for students to work with partners and stakeholders on current evaluation challenges. The program’s ambition is to develop professionals who can think critically and act effectively.

The MPPE is a 36-credit program taught in English and delivered face-to-face in a classroom setting over two years. It includes:

  • Core Courses

    7 core courses (21 credits)

    CodeCourse Name
    PPO 601Research Methods for Public Policy
    PPO 602Ethics, Law, and Public Policy
    PEV 603Foundations of Policy Cycle & Program Design
    PEV 660Advanced Methods for Program Evaluation
    PEV 661Benefit-Cost Analysis for Program Evaluation
    PEV 602Qualitative Methods for Program Evaluation
    PEV 662Program Evaluation Planning and Designs

  • Elective Courses 

    3 electives (9 credits) if pursuing the Capstone option, or 2 electives (6 credits) if pursuing the Thesis option, selected from the following courses (as available): 

    CodeCourse Name
    PPO-672Digital Governance
    SPO-650Leadership in Public Policy
    SPO-657Education Policy
    PPO-651Global Political Economy
    PPO-671Postwar Reconstruction
    PPO-702Advanced Seminar in Sustainability and Climate Policy
    PPO-703Advanced Seminar in Social Policy
    GHP-601Foundations of Global Health Policy
    GHP-604Data, AI, and Methods in Contemporary Health Policy

  • Culminating Experience

    PEV 690: Capstone Project (6 credits)

    or

    PEV 695: Thesis (9 credits)

Upon completion of the MPPE program, graduates will be equipped to:

  • Analyze and frame policy and program evaluation problems using stakeholder-informed, participatory, and context-sensitive approaches across diverse and evolving policy environments.
  • Design and apply appropriate quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods evaluation approaches to generate credible, context-appropriate and policy-relevant evidence.
  • Critically assess the effectiveness, efficiency, equity and value of policies and programs using program theory, economic evaluation tools and evidence-based approaches.
  • Interpret and synthesize evaluation findings and communicate them effectively in written, oral and professional formats to inform decision-making, accountability and policy and program improvement in ethically responsible ways.
  • Design and implement monitoring, performance management and evaluation systems using appropriate indicators, administrative data and stakeholder-informed participatory approaches to support learning and continuous program improvement.

The MPPE program aims to:

  • Enable leading practitioners or senior managers, policy makers, policy analysts, as well as policy and program evaluators to function effectively in the public or private sectors, NGOs and other organizations, by designing, improving, leading and implementing effective and efficient policies and programs.
  • Provide solutions to complex public-policy and programmatic challenges that account for economic, ethical, and societal considerations as well as professional standards, by applying acquired knowledge in policy analysis and evaluation.
  • Prepare practitioners to apply their broad education in policy and program evaluation to design and conduct credible evaluations, communicate findings to diverse stakeholders, and use evidence to support program improvement and policy decision-making.

Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Policy and Program Evaluation should hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a strong academic record (minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale). Applicants from all academic backgrounds are welcome, including engineering, natural sciences and humanities. Preference will be given to those with prior academic preparation in political science, public administration, economics, communications or other social science disciplines. In addition, prior work experience in a relevant field - and/or prior academic coursework in statistics - is recommended.

Applicants are required to submit an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 79 to demonstrate their proficiency in English.

Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available at CPP Admissions.

ProgramMaster of Policy and Program Evaluation
Total Program Tuition FeesQAR 90,000
Tuition Fees per Credit HourQAR 2,500
Total Program Credit Hours36
Program Duration2 years