American University Academic Program: SPA: Doctoral Programs - PhD

Transcription

1 Program American University Academic Program: SPA: Doctoral Programs - PhD Academic Program: SPA: Doctoral Programs - PhD Contact Person for Laura Langbein Assessment: Program Mission: Ph.D. programs in Public Administration; Political Science; and Justice, Law and Society: The mission of each program is to produce the next generation of leading scholars. We aim for our graduates to produce original research that is methodologically sound, socially relevant, and makes important contributions to knowledge, theory and practice. Unit Website Address: Unit's Primary Department: Public Admin/Policy Are there any changes in your assessment method?: Learning Outcome: Key Theories ( ) Doctoral students will demonstrate understanding of relevant literature in their field by identifying and explaining key theories and controversies in their field(s). Passing performance on culminating comprehensive examinations. Significant percentage of candidates are able to pass comprehensive examinations in their field(s) of study. The Director of the SPA Ph.D. Learning Outcome: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods ( ) Students will demonstrate knowledge of the conventions in the conduct of inquiry using quantitative and qualitative methodologies and the ability to make use of these methods in research Completion of Series of Assignments in Required Methods Courses (GOVT 612/13) 75% of students will perform satisfactorily every semester Learning Outcome: Formulate Research Questions ( ) Doctoral students will be able to formulate sound research questions, demonstrating awareness of the limitations of existing scholarship. 10/28/2013 1:16 PM Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive. Page 1 of 5

2 Students will successfully write and defend orally a proposal for their dissertation. 95% of students will pass the dissertation proposal defense All faculty who teach in the three programs meet with the SPA Director of Ph.D. Programs and three departmental coordinators to assess student progress each June. This group discusses each student's progress holistically, evaluating whether he or she is making sufficient progress toward completion of the degree. The departmental coordinators work with the director to formulate a letter for each student that outlines the key conclusions from this meeting. For students who are deemed to be making adequate progress, the letter is designed to give feedback to help them continue to make progress and ultimately graduate. For students who are deemed to be making inadequate progress, the letter identifies explicitly the targets that the student must reach by the next review cycle in order to continue in the program. Learning Outcome: Test Research Questions ( ) Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct credible original research, applying appropriate methodologies effectively to test a significant and compelling question in political science Dissertation Completion and Oral Defense 95% of students will successfully complete and defend their dissertations on-going Learning Outcome: Communication of Findings ( ) Students will demonstrate the ability to disseminate their research findings to the scholarly community, within SPA and outside as well. Start Date: 05/15/2013 Students will submit an annual report each May. The annual report will require information on presentations, publications (peer-reviewed or other publications), and papers submitted for peer review. Survey 50% of 3rd-5th year PhD students will have at least one paper submitted for review for publication or presentation at a conference. 75% of 3rd-5th year PhD Annual 10/28/2013 1:16 PM Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive. Page 2 of 5

3 students will have at least one conference presentation in previous year. Learning Outcome: Employability ( ) Students should be able to secure employment in their fields at academic or research institutions Outcome Status: Active Program Outcome We will track the employment of our graduates at research and academic institutions. Job/Grad School Placement 90% of graduates will be employed within 2 years of graduation at research or academic institutions annually Learning Outcome: Application Doctoral students can identify void(s) in literature that future research can fill. Successful dissertation research and defense. No target identified. The Director of the SPA Ph.D. Final Paper/ Final Project Course papers and research projects. No target identified. The Director of the SPA Ph.D. Written Assignment Track papers published or presented at conferences by student No target identified. and recent alums. Network with graduates and colleagues at academic conferences and workshops to track contributions and advancement in the field. The Director of the SPA Ph.D. 10/28/2013 1:16 PM Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive. Page 3 of 5

4 Learning Outcome: Theory Doctoral students will be able to synthesize the literature as the basis for an argument Comprehensive exam will be reviewed. Using a rubric, faculty reviewers will evaluate this learning outcome. Each faculty member will rate each comprehensive they grade on each of the 5 outcomes and provide written feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the candidate's ability to meet this outcome. Comprehensive exams are typically given in September, January and sometimes in May. Faculty will review all rubrics at once and write a summary of the overall results. Students demonstrate mastery of research methods by passing both Conduct of Inquiry I and II during the first year, as well as the first-year qualifying paper/examination. All students will pass both Conduct of Inquiry I/II and the first-year qualifying paper/exam. Student grades are monitored by the departmental coordinators and academic advisor as they come in (Conduct of Inquiry I: end of December; Conduct of Inquiry II: middle of May). Marginal grades are flagged and discussed as necessary by the relevant faculty. Qualifying papers are all defended during the month of May, and students are notified immediately if they pass the defense. For fields requiring a qualifying exam, students are notified as soon as possible after taking the test. Both of these targets - passing the Conduct of Inquiry I-II courses and the first-year qualifier - are also assessed at the annual review of Ph.D. student progress, held during the summer. Learning Outcome: Accuracy Demonstrates accuracy in describing literature, interpreting results, understanding assumptions 10/28/2013 1:16 PM Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive. Page 4 of 5

5 Learning Outcome: Method Doctoral students can provide evidence (theoretical and empirical) for the argument being put forth. Observation and review of teaching within a seminar or other course setting by doctoral faculty members. SET measures when assigned a full course to teach. Field Work/ Internship No target identified. The Director of the SPA Ph.D. Placement at universities after graduation. No target identified. The Director of the SPA Ph.D. Learning Outcome: Satisfactory Progress Students will make timely progress for each milestone in the program: courses, qualifying exams, comprehensives, dissertation proposal defense, dissertation defense, and, if applicable, performance as a GA, and presentation of papers at conferences and refereed publications Start Date: 10/01/2010 End Date: 05/12/2012 Outcome Status: Archived Program Outcome Students who enter with an MA are expected to complete all milestones up to proposal defense by (or before) the end of the third year of residence, and the dissertation during the fourth year. Students who enter without an MA are expected to complete all milestones up to proposal defense by (or before) the end of the fourth year of residence, and the dissertation during the fifth year. 10/28/2013 1:16 PM Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive. Page 5 of 5