Planning and Review Committee (PCR) AY Annual Report to the Faculty Senate and UW System

Transcription

1 1 Results of Program Analysis and Recommendations: Planning and Review Committee (PCR) AY Annual Report to the Faculty Senate and UW System During the academic year, the Planning and Review Committee reviewed the following degree programs and made the listed recommendations. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. 1. Nationally accredited (July 2012) - Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) - (PD selfstudy, key faculty, student and advisory board 2. Steady and increasing enrollment particularly after CACREP accreditation (PD self-study, key faculty, student and advisory board 3. High retention, graduation, and graduate placement rates (PD self-study, key faculty, student and advisory board 4. Applied focus (PD self-study, key faculty, student and advisory board 5. Competent and experienced faculty (PD selfstudy). 6. Valued support from Marriage and Family program, School Counseling program, and School Psychology Programs especially for expertise outside of the core faculty (PD selfstudy, key faculty, student and advisory board 7. Strong connection between students and faculty 8. Strong outreach - nationally via CACREP and regionally 9. Strong diversity component 10. Strong internships 11. One program license and one concentration license 1. Counseling lab equipment is extremely problematic (PD report, key faculty, student and advisory board 2. Some alumni report repetition in course material (PD report, alumni 3. Need to grow the number of internship sites in order to increase the admission rate

2 2 Status Report of Dietetics, B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education, B.S. 1. UW-Stout student scores for the Registered Dietitian exam are trending upward over the past several years with the national average remaining flat. 2. UW-Stout graduates are acquiring internships at a rate of 70% while the national average of acceptance is 52%. 3. Small class size, experiential experiences such as internship, coursework and the supportive faculty. 4. Increase in student retention and graduation rates. 5. Student expectations are clearly defined. 6. B.S. Dietetics Program Director and key faculty. 7. The implementation of a successful student mentoring program has resulted in students learning the requirements of the degree and field experience while gaining leadership and volunteer opportunities. 1. Strong leadership by program director (student surveys and advisory committee report). 2. Healthy enrollment given the size of the program (program director self-study). 3. Very high placement rate for graduates (program director self-study, student surveys and advisory committee report). 4. Experienced and dedicated faculty (in the program and from other programs) who continuously update curriculum to meet industry requirements (program director self-study and student 5. Dedicated and engaged students pursuing a teaching career in touch climate (program director self-study). 1. Quality of Instruction: some instructors need improvement on classroom instruction techniques. 2. According to the accrediting body, UW-Stout is required to have a program director (PD) employed as a 1.0 FTE. 3. Nutrition counseling lab still does not exist. Lab mods were submitted at the time of the last PRC review in , but space was not allocated. In addition, there is a need for more lab space, and improvements in the existing lab spaces. 4. Advising: Due to current PD having a limited appointment, time to spend advising students is limited. 5. Course scheduling/planning: A continuing need for collaborative, cross-department and cross-college course offerings on a regular schedule exists. 6. Fulfill open position searches until complete to allow for adequate service to the Dietetics program. 1. Curriculum: Ongoing need to review courses and update to meet accreditations standards (program director self-study). Need to develop new courses to increase flexibility for the students (program director self-study, student 2. Lab facilities and equipment: Outdated lab facilities, classrooms and equipment need to be updated (program director self-study, student surveys, advisory committee report). 3. Faculty/staff support needs: Need to have help in advising students and to teach at least some of the FCSE courses (program director self-study). continuation of this program

3 3 Packaging, B.S. 6. Strong reputation in state and nation (program director self-study, student surveys and advisory committee report). 1. Specialized nature of the degree program: a unique major with an effective mix of theoretical and applied learning, varied concentrations; one of the few programs of its kind in the nation (student surveys, Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey, program 2. Strong experiential hands-on component in the curriculum: labs, computer software, testing equipment, material equipment, etc. (student surveys, Meisner self-study, key faculty B survey, program advisory committee survey). 3. High quality co-op and internship programs thanks to close ties to and support from industry partners (student surveys, Meisner self-study, key faculty B survey, program advisory survey). 4. Addition of medical device packing to the curriculum (student surveys, program 5. Knowledgeable faculty/staff (student 6. Growing enrollment and steady retention (Meisner self-study). 7. Attention to diversity and increased enrollment/retention of female students (25% of students in major) and graduates (60% of engineering graduates) (Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey). 8. High job placement rates of graduates and competitive starting salaries (student 4. Recruitment of students: Need to increase diversity in student population (program director self-study). Need to maintain enrollment in the program or increase slightly (program director self-study). 1. Challenges in advisement/registration and shortages in course offerings: an insufficient number of classes and/or course sections to meet increased student enrollment and demand; subsequent delayed progress-toward-graduation (student surveys, Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey). 2. Managing student-instructor ratios and class sizes (student surveys, key faculty A and B surveys, program 3. Funding for maintaining, upgrading, and/or procuring lab equipment (student surveys, Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey, and program 4. Strong and stable leadership of chair and program directors (student surveys, Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey, program 5. Attracting and retaining high quality instructors: need for additional faculty and better trained teaching faculty (student surveys, Meisner selfstudy, key faculty A and B surveys, program 6. Improved marketing in order to advertise program uniqueness, compete with other programs to recruit high-achieving students (program continuation of this program review in and the recommendations made by the committee are implemented.

4 4 Studio Art, B.F.A. Technical & Professional Communication, M.S. surveys, Meisner self-study, and program 9. Continuous efforts to keep pace with industry demands and alter course offerings based on industry trends; strong industry partnerships and guidance (student surveys, Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey, and program 1. Knowledgeable and supportive faculty committed to teaching and research (PD selfstudy, student survey, instructor survey). 2. Evidence of student and alumni achievement through exhibitions, publications, and acceptance to graduate school (advisory committee survey, PD self-study). 3. Program provides strong foundation in core areas of the field (PD self-study, advisory committee survey). 4. Studio Art program is well-integrated with other courses and majors 5. Campus gallery available to showcase students work (PD self-study, student survey, instructor survey). 6. Collegial faculty that collaborates effectively with other departments (advisory committee survey, instructor survey). 1. Flexible, online learning: Online programs in technical and professional communication (TPC) are fairly scarce, and the UW-Stout program is designed for online delivery, reaching place-bound, working adults (PD self-study; student survey). 2. Polytechnic curriculum: The program course array goes beyond writing. It has an edge in the more polytechnic aspects of technical communication such as information design and user-centered design. It also approaches 1. Need for improved facilities due to outdated labs and inadequate space (PD self-study, student 2. Funding issues affect program s ability to meet ongoing needs for basic supplies and equipment (PD self-study, student survey, instructor survey). 3. Limited student access to studio space needed to complete projects outside of class (PD selfstudy, student 4. Need for more student opportunities to gain experience in the field (student survey). 5. Class sizes are too large for available space and restrict instructors ability to provide feedback 1. Recruitment. Continue to recruit quality students from beyond Wisconsin and the U.S. to diversify the student body and capitalize on the asynchronous online instruction and competitive tuition rate. An excellent method for reaching national and international prospective student is by continuing to take advantage of recruitment opportunities afforded through the Society for Technical Communication (STC). The program director exhibits annually at the STC national

5 5 emerging technologies through a cultural lens, giving students a well-rounded and practical education 3. Engaged program faculty: Program faculty in the MSTPC meet weekly to discuss student progress, curriculum, recruitment, assessment, and other program initiatives. The program and its success would not be possible without their high level of engagement (PD self-study, advisory committee, faculty surveys, student survey). 4. Industry competencies: The program s curriculum is characterized by several areas of focus that are critical for technical communicators, including multilingual and transnational technical communication; project management; user experience and user design; communicating through emerging media; and oral and interpersonal communication. The type and breadth of these areas are unlike any regional master s program and unlike many across the country 5. Affordability: The $525/credit hour tuition (2013/14) is a flat rate, regardless of residency. Of the 12 peer institution TPC programs surveyed, nine listed graduate tuition rates higher than UW-Stout, most were double the per-credit rate (PD selfstudy). 6. The program is responsive to the needs of industry: courses continually adapt to incorporate the latest technology and address the needs of industry and society (multiple advisory committee members comments). 7. Flexible and cutting edge curriculum: cutting edge, forward thinking courses, and flexibility of instruction. Through its conference, attracting at least one student who has enrolled in the program each year (PD selfstudy; key faculty A survey). Independent Research. Improve the quality of students independent research (IR) experience by increasing the percentage of students who successfully complete their IR within the standard timeframe (one semester for 735, two semesters for 770) and more clearly articulate the role of the students IR as it relates to academic and professional workplace experiences/goals

6 6 Training & Human Resource Development, M.S. innovative curriculum, the program offers both foundational and cutting edge coursework in a format that is easily accessible to working professionals (advisory committee). 8. Excellent program leadership: The program director offers strong and comprehensive support to students. She is always accessible. Julie Watts is a major strength (advisory committee, faculty surveys, student survey). 1. A curriculum that is focused on applied learning and research (PD self-study, student surveys, faculty surveys, program advisory committee 2. Flexibility in program delivery, reaching students beyond the Stout campus (PD selfstudy, student surveys, faculty surveys, program advisory committee 3. A rigorous curriculum that surpasses industry guidelines (PD self-study, student surveys, faculty surveys, program advisory committee 4. A committed program director and advisory board (faculty surveys, program advisory committee 1. As the program initiates its online program, there may be a shortage of qualified faculty to deliver both on-campus and online courses (PD self-study, student surveys, faculty 2. Faculty face challenges in accessing resources to assist them in instructional design and delivery for both on site and online classes (PD self-study, student surveys, and program advisory committee 3. Reoccurring shortages of faculty advisers for student theses (PD self-study, student surveys, faculty 4. Absence of certificate options in the areas of training, organization development and talent development/human resource development (PD self-study). review in and that the recommendations made by the committee are implemented. Vocational Rehabilitation, M.S. (on-campus and on-line) 1. Strong site-based supervised experiential/applied learning opportunities (PD self-study, key faculty B and program advisory committee 2. Ranked in top 10 rehabilitation counseling programs in the USA 3. Accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education 4. Strong graduation and retention rates (PD self-study and program facts). 1. Ongoing issues with outdated lab equipment and furnishings that do not reflect ergonomic principles promoted by the curriculum and professional rehabilitation best practices (PD self-study, key faculty, student and alumni 2. Need for ongoing instructional design assistance and faculty training for online delivery of the curriculum, online students desire to have more personal review in and that the recommendations made by the committee are implemented.

7 7 5. Student involvement in scholarly activities 6. Excellent faculty and reputation of strong program leadership (PD self-study, key faculty and advisory committee surveys. connection/engagement with faculty (PD selfstudy, key faculty, and student and alumni 3. Two FTE that is unavailable to teach, due to long-term administrative secondment, medical leave or grant release time 4. Fluctuating enrollment (program facts). 5. Some requests to expand the curriculum to include topics beyond the CORE standards (PD self-study, key faculty B, student and alumni Additional Committee Actions: The committee recommended to the Faculty Senate the following Notice of Intent proposals: B.S. in Chemical Engineering B.S. in Electrical Engineering B.S. in Mechanical Engineering B.S. in Web Technology B.F.A. in Game Design & Development-Art The committee also received the following Authorization to Implement proposal: B.S. in Criminal Justice & Rehabilitation M.S. Technical & Professional Communication UW System Joint Review will be due Summer, 2014