HIGHER EDUCATION PRACTICE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS

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1 1750 H Street NW, 2 nd Floor, Washington, DC P F HIGHER EDUCATION PRACTICE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS June 2012 The following abstracts describe a sampling of projects commissioned by Hanover Members during June MARKET EVALUATION SURVEYING DATA ANALYSIS BENCHMARKING LITERATURE REVIEW

2 MARKET EVALUATION An Overview of Professional Science Master s Degrees and Related Market Trends - In this report, Hanover Research examines the structure of Professional Science Master s programs in the United States, with a particular focus on program structure, curriculum, funding mechanisms, and growth through academic consortiums nationwide. This report further examines market trends related to PSM degrees, including employment projections for related occupations and degree conferral trends in relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Competitor Comparison: Evening Healthcare MBA Programs - In this report, Hanover Research profiles Evening MBA programs at competitor institutions that offer a specialization in health care. Emphasis is placed on the curriculum of these programs, specifically on the curriculum required for the health care specialization. Demand for Business-Related Academic Programs in Canada - In this report, Hanover Research examines academic and labor market demand for business degrees in Canadian markets. The report notes recent enrollment and completion levels across the markets, as well as employment trends and projections for various business-related occupations. Innovative Nursing Programs - In this report, Hanover Research examines the current landscape for innovative nursing education programs in the United States. An overview of recommendations and alternative models and strategies for nursing programs is offered in order to establish broad trends within the topic area. Additionally, employment projections are made for professions relevant to graduates of master s degree programs in forensic nursing and certificate programs in palliative care nursing, coupled with a brief review of the literature on demand within these fields. Finally, profiles of a sample of forensic nursing and palliative care nursing programs within the University s region are provided in order to demonstrate the common structures and characteristics of such programs. Accelerated Elementary Education Program Demand Study - Hanover Research examines labor market trends affecting the viability of a proposed accelerated program in elementary education in the city. We assess trends in elementary education completions at institutions within approximately 50 miles of the University and supplement these indices of student demand with an analysis of the economic viability of the elementary education profession at the national, state, and regional levels. To provide further insight into the key components of accelerated elementary education programs, we profile six related programs within 50 miles of the University, describing their structure, content, and cost. Finally, we examine the basic characteristics of two programs offered nationally. Market Analysis for Hospitality and Tourism Management Programs - In this report Hanover Research analyzes the market for hospitality and tourism management programs in Australia among domestic and international students. The report addresses national and international trends and potential student demand for tourism and hospitality programs as well as the characteristics of competitor programs in Australia. Market Study for a B.S./M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - In this report, Hanover Research performs a market demand study for prospective bachelor s and master s degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University, including an evaluation of student demand, national and state-wide long-term employment projections for related careers, and profiles of competitor programs. Market Analysis for a Bachelor s Degree in Political Science - In this report, Hanover Research assesses the market for a bachelor s degree program in political science. The report includes an analysis of national and state degree completion trends, focusing particularly on the University s peers 2

3 and competitors, and an exploration of the labor market for political science graduates. The final section profiles political science programs at peer and competitor institutions. Two appendices are included to provide brief overviews of local graduate programs in political science and common undergraduate internships opportunities, respectively. MA in Leadership and Ethics/MA in Social Entrepreneurship Market Assessment - In this report, Hanover Research examines the current and potential demand for specialized master s degrees in organizational management and leadership, with a focus on ethical leadership or social entrepreneurship. These degrees would be uniquely informed by the multi-faith traditions that constitute the University s community and curriculum. Potential demand is gauged through an examination of completion rates among master s programs in similar academic areas, as well as through an assessment of projected employment growth in related professions. Case studies of current graduate degree programs, including information on course requirements and student body demographics, are further provided to serve as examples in the creation of such a degree program at the University. BENCHMARKING Distribution of Core Curriculum and Electives - In this research brief, Hanover Research profiles the Institution and selected peers based on the distribution of core curriculum and elective courses in a range of academic programs. The first section, which profiles the Institution, serves as a foundation for the selection of programs and offers a means of contextualizing the report s findings. The first section also briefly outlines the methodology of program and peer selection. The second section profiles seven selected peers. Benchmarking Graduate Student Assistantships and Graduate Tuition - In this report, Hanover examines the standards and policies regarding graduate assistantships and tuition rates among several public institutions of higher education. Our report includes three profiles of institutions in the state and five profiles of institutions that are considered peers of the University. Effect of Boomtown Growth on Educational Services - In this brief, Hanover Research discusses strategies used by institutions of higher education in boomtown regions to prepare for a post-boom environment, often characterized by an undereducated and unemployed workforce. Graduate Program Cost Benchmarking - In this report, Hanover Research explores different financial models used by colleges and universities across the country to determine cost-to-revenue ratios for graduate programs with the goal of assessing financial viability. The report looks closely at several costing models and financial management strategies in an effort to clarify how the University may evaluate its own costing methodology. Non-Academic Staff Salary and Title Benchmarking US and Canada - In this report, Hanover Research investigates salaries for non-academic staff in the human resources, information technology, student services, finance, and library divisions of U.S. and Canadian higher education institutions. Where possible, we link salary information to position title to convey the relationship between compensation and managerial responsibility in the North American higher education system. Although few detailed data sources are available, we examine these sources to extract significant relationships between a university s structure and its non-academic staff profile. Benchmarking Course Completion Rates - In this benchmarking report, Hanover provides course completion rates at two-year institutions of a similar size to the University. Using data published by institutions in publicly available accountability and effectiveness reports, we include completion rates for developmental math, reading, and English/writing courses; vocational coursework; and college-level algebra, communication, and English I and II. 3

4 A Review of Faculty and Staff Compensation at the University - In this report, Hanover Research examines faculty and staff compensation benchmarks from a national and regional perspective. Compensation data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the American Association of University Professors, and the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources are utilized as a basis for comparison with compensation levels at the University. These datasets allow the University s information to be analyzed based on geographic location, academic rank, and professional category. QUANTITATIVE & QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS U.S.News & World Report Position Assessment - This report examines the University s position in the U.S.News & World Report law school rankings, and analyzes the projected effect on this ranking by an increase in the University s scores in each of the variables underlying the ranking. The projected changes in ranking are calculated using a reconstruction of the U.S.News & World Report rankings produced by Hanover Research. First Year Student Performance Analysis - In this report, we examine the relationships between various student characteristics and performance as measured by students GPA at the end of their first year at the University. We employ the use of regression analysis to determine whether certain variables can help predict passage, and measure which variables have the greatest impact on success in the first year. Gap Analysis Bachelor s in Early Education - In this report, we perform a gap analysis between projected employment demand for Early Education professionals and the likely supply of new graduates in the University s region and the state that will aid in meeting that demand. SURVEYING Dropped Student Survey Analysis - In this report, Hanover Research analyzes dropped student survey responses and provides a factor analysis of reasons students choose to leave the University before completing a degree program. Interdisciplinary PhD in Health Science - In this report, Hanover Research analyzes the results of a survey delivered to the University s alumni, preceptors, and clinical instructors. The purpose of this survey was to identify the potential market for the interdisciplinary PhD in Health Science and elements of degree design that are important to prospective students. Analysis - Business Deans Survey - In this report, Hanover Research presents a full analysis of results from our survey of business school deans. Specifically, this report sheds light on the resources and processes used by deans to complete the annual U.S.News & World Report peer assessment survey the results of which heavily influence the rankings of business schools. Civil Engineering at the University High School Students (Brief) - In this report, Hanover Research analyzes the results of a survey administered to high school-aged students to explore regional demand for a bachelor s degree program in civil engineering at the University. Alumni Placement Survey Analysis - In this report, Hanover Research provides an analysis of the University s alumni placement, with a particular focus on Education and M.B.A. alumni. Tracked characteristics include employment history, current educational status, and attitudes toward the student experience at the University. The data used in this report were drawn from an online survey conducted in April and May of Full-Time MBA Exiting (FTEX) Student Survey Analysis - Hanover Research describes trends in the responses of 2012 graduates of the full-time MBA program at the University. 4

5 Respondents assess many aspects of their educational experience at the University, from library and study facilities to core courses, electives, their classmates academic contributions, and the strengths and weaknesses of the school s career services. To gauge changes in exiting students opinions over time, we compare 2012 survey output to comparable results dating from 2008, 2009, 2010, and LITERATURE REVIEW Distance Learning Support Office Best Practices - In this report, Hanover Research presents best practices and models for the administration of distance learning programs. We also analyze the distance learning administrative structures of nine of the Institution s peer institutions. Effective Structuring of University Academic Year Calendars - In this report, Hanover Research provides an analysis of findings on academic year calendars at institutions in New Zealand, Australia, and other international countries. Following this analysis we provide a literature review on varying academic calendar systems, finding that there is no established support for the superiority of any one system. Ensuring Seat Time in Online Courses - In this report, Hanover Research examines several methods for ensuring students in online courses regularly and meaningfully engage with course materials. This report also includes examples of learning management systems that have features designed to monitor student participation in online courses, as well as profiles of institutions that employ comprehensive attendance policies for students taking courses online. Inter-Institutional Course Sharing - In this report Hanover Research examines inter-institutional course-sharing practices. Course-sharing initiatives seek to pool the academic resources of multiple institutions, broadening the services each can offer its unique student constituency to meet a range of needs. We review the entire process of course-sharing, from negotiation to planning and troubleshooting implementation. 5