Advanced Topics in Program Evaluation and Applied Research

Note: This course will be taught with less synchronous class time and an increased amount of asynchronous work. Please contact the instructor with any questions.

Topic Description: This course provides social sector professionals with fundamental knowledge and practical skills for leveraging artificial intelligence technologies. Through a project-based learning approach, students explore three core themes: ethical considerations in AI deployment, current AI tools relevant to social impact work, and essential prompt engineering skills. The curriculum addresses the intersection of technological advancement and social impact initiatives, with particular focus on applications in nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and public service entities. Students develop competencies in evaluating AI tools, implementing ethical frameworks, and creating effective prompts for AI systems while producing practical deliverables relevant to their professional contexts. This 1-credit course emphasizes hands-on learning through targeted exercises and a focused project demonstrating AI implementation in social impact settings.