Graduate Program Assessment

 

Principles and Procedures of Program Assessment and Evaluation

 The School of Graduate Studies, University of North Dakota

 

The School of Graduate Studies conducts periodic evaluations of the graduate programs at the University of North Dakota. Evaluations are completed in accordance with the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education Policy 403.1.2, Institutional Instructional Program Evaluation. The evaluations, administered by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, are designed to incorporate what the Council of Graduate Schools refers to as “Best Practices” in graduate program evaluations. The following principles and procedures guide the evaluation process:

1. Assessment and evaluation of graduate education at UND is an ongoing and systematic process that includes (1) a periodic formal review of each graduate program every 7 years, and (2) a continuous, ongoing assessment of the program and student outcomes reported in the program’s Annual Report. The assessment and evaluation process attempts to incorporate what the Council of Graduate Schools refers to as “best practices” for assessing graduate education.

2. A summary of ongoing assessment activities of student learning outcomes and program goals reported annually in the program’s Annual Report should be included in the self-study. “…it is important that formal review and continuous outcomes assessment be seen as parts of the same whole, with a common goal of improving the quality of graduate education.” (Assessment and Review of Graduate Programs: A Policy Statement. Council of Graduate Schools, 2005, p. 9).

3. From an assessment perspective, the annual reviews and reports may be viewed as formative assessments, as they may help the program’s faculty learn how well the program and student goals and objectives are being achieved on an ongoing basis, and what if any adjustments are needed. The seven-year formal program review may be seen as a summative assessment that can be used to help the program determine long range goals and revise, as needed, the program’s mission, goals, and outcomes.

4. Assessment and review of graduate programs will be separate from assessment of the undergraduate programs (since the mission, goals, objectives and outcomes for graduate programs will be different from those of undergraduate programs).

 

Seven Year Program Evaluations - Process

1. Graduate program evaluations and reviews will be administered by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

2. The seven-year program evaluation will be conducted by a Graduate School Assessment Team (GSAT) consisting of:

a. Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

b. Two members of the Graduate Faculty appointed by Dean of the School of Graduate Studies..

3. The self-study will be completed by the department. The School of Graduate Studies. provides the department with a template, including the following core data, to be used in completing the self-study: 

• Number of applicants to the program each year under review

• Number of students admitted to the program each year under review

• GRE and GPA for each student admitted for each year under review

• Graduate credit hours produced each year under review

• Number of degrees awarded and time-to-degree for years under review

 4. The program is asked to provide evaluative, insightful interpretation to the questions on the template to demonstrate how well the program has been able to fulfill its mission and goals. When the self-study report is completed it will be reviewed by the GSAT. The GSAT will meet with the program’s faculty and administrators to review the self-study.

5. A final report reflecting the results of the GSAT evaluation will be written and submitted to the Program Director and Chair.

6. The program may prepare a response to the GSAT’s report to be included with the final report.

7. The GSAT’s report and the program’s response will be presented to the Graduate Committee with recommendations for the Graduate Committee’s consideration and acceptance.

8. A summary report consisting of the final report, the program’s response to the report, and the Graduate Committee’s recommendation will be presented for discussion to the Provost, the Dean of the College, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, the Department Chair/Program Director, and department faculty.

9. At the end of each academic year, the Provost will provide a summary of all of the graduate program reviews completed during that academic year. The schedule for graduate program reviews is available below.

Many of the principles and procedures used in the evaluation of graduate programs at the University of North Dakota Graduate School were adapted from several sources identified below:

1. Master’s Education: A Guide for Faculty and Administrators, A Policy Statement. Council of Graduate Schools, 2005.

2. The Doctor of Philosophy Degree, A Policy Statement. Council of Graduate Schools, 2005.

3. Assessment and Review of Graduate Programs, A Policy Statement. Council of Graduate Schools, 2005.

4. Planning and Assessment of Graduate Programs, NCSU Web Site www.fis.ncsu.edu/gradprogrreview/

5. Program Evaluation and Assessment in Audiology and Speech, Language Pathology, Council on Academic Accreditation, American Speech, Language and Hearing Association.

 

Click here to see the Program Review Schedules for:

2005-06 |  2006-07 |  2007-08  |  2008-09  |  2009-10  |  2010-11  |  2011-12

Interim Program Evaluations

2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011