Please check the start date and application deadline on the online courses' main page

About this course

This course builds upon the introductory course on impact evaluation and provides a hands-on approach to estimating and analysing causal impacts using various techniques. These include randomised control trials and designs, regression discontinuity design, difference-in-differences, propensity score matching and instrumental variables methods. Students will learn how to conduct an in-depth econometric estimation/analysis of causal impacts.

Audio-visual lessons will be provided together with datasets and step-by-step analysis guides to using various impact evaluation techniques in STATA software. Lessons and case studies will give participants a knowledge base to help them understand the applicability of methods to a given set of circumstances. Interested students should have intermediate knowledge of statistical analyses or econometrics.

Tutoring to working professionals is a very enriching task, as students are always seeking to bridge practical situations from their daily lives to theory

Lorena Giuberti Coutinho - Course Tutor

Learning Goals

Having knowledge of:

How to execute randomised and quasi-experimental impact estimations.
Software code for data analysis.

Understanding:

How to identify causal estimates of impacts through various techniques
How to assess robustness and validity of each technique.

Key Concepts

Estimation of causal impacts.
Conducting validity tests and sensitivity analyses.
Using STATA for analysis.

Prerequisites

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Social Sciences.
Knowledge in econometric analysis.
Knowledge of STATA is highly recommended
Basic understanding of impact evaluation purposes and methods (this course builds upon the introductory course on impact evaluation).
The course instructions and all readings are given in English. Fluency in English, both reading and writing, is essential in both technical and common language.

Cost

600 EUR

Estimated Workload

The estimated workload is 60 hours including:

10-15 hours per week.
10-15 hours per assignment/oral exam.

Duration: 10 weeks

1 week to access the platform and become familiar with the material
4 weeks of coursework
1 week to submit the final assignment and
2 weeks for potential resits.

Certification

Participants that complete the course obtain an online educational certificate indicating the course has a 2 ECTS equivalence workload.

Application Process

You can apply for each course by using the online application form.

During the application process, you will need to upload the following documents:   

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
A copy of your (valid) passport (PDF or JPEG)

After completing the application, you will receive a confirmation email along with the payment information. Once we receive the payment, we will register you as a participant for the course, and the Online Courses Administration Team will contact you. The administrative process typically takes an average of 5-10 working days.  

If you have any questions regarding the application documents or the application process or if there are any clarifications you need before applying, please feel free to reach out to the Capacity Development Office at the email address: onlinecourses@merit.unu.edu.

Payment

By credit card: https://www.aanmelder.nl/173049/subscribe.

In case you cannot pay by online transfer, please send an email to onlinecourses@merit.unu.edu including your name, your preferred course and starting date. We will send you bank transfer information, and we will only register you upon receiving a bank transfer. This process will take longer to complete.

Please note that we are unfortunately not able to provide scholarships or tuition fee waivers for the online courses.

Refund Policy for Course Withdrawal

Full refund before registration deadline: Participants who withdraw before the registration deadline and before official registration in the university system are eligible for a full refund of fees paid. Administration costs are not refunded (15 EUR).

Partial refund after registration, until one week before the course start date: If a participant withdraws after the registration deadline but before one week of the course start, 50% of the tuition will be refunded. Administration costs are not refunded (15 EUR).

No refunds once course has begun: No refunds will be issued in case withdrawal happens one week before the course starts.

If a participant completes the registration and payment but is deemed not eligible for the course, the full tuition fee minus the administration costs (15 EUR) will be refunded. If you have doubts about your eligibility, please email us at onlinecourses@merit.unu.edu