European University-Based Study Programs in Evaluation: Characteristics and Future Challenges

Abstract

How does one become an evaluator? This question has drawn the attention of many evaluation scholars, practitioners and professional associations. It is evident that becoming an evaluator is not as straightforward as becoming a financial auditor, for example. Often, but not always, a tertiary education stands at the beginning of an evaluator’s career; often, but not always, this education consists of some social sciences studies. Then, the evaluator tobe gains some work experience, and in many cases he or she encounters the tasks and challenges of evaluation by having to respond to the requirements of their professional practice. Often, and hopefully, the evaluator then professionalizes by joining an evaluation association, reading evaluation literature, or attending evaluation-specific classes during the course of their career.