INVESTIGATING INTEREST IN THE DUAL DEGREE: SURVEY RESULTS FROM ALUMNI AND STUDENTS

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1 INVESTIGATING INTEREST IN THE DUAL DEGREE: SURVEY RESULTS FROM ALUMNI AND STUDENTS November 2011 What are the perspectives of alumni who have graduated with a dual degree? What are the perspectives of current students about this new offering? Background. The Teachers for New Era (TNE) initiative, whereby the Neag School of Education (Neag) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) work collaboratively to promote and enhance outstanding teacher preparation programs, brought the dual degree offering to the attention of the Board of Trustees. After much discussion, the Board approved the dual degree in the spring of This report presents the results of a survey extended to alumni who graduated with a dual degree over the last three years. Additionally, this report contains the results of a survey presented to current non-education majors who have the opportunity to pursue this offering. Alumni. The Alumni Dual Degree Survey was developed to assess the dual degree initiative from the perspective of participating alumni who have graduated with dual degrees through this offering. Invitations to complete the survey were initially sent by in the spring of 2011 to these 116 individuals; these were followed by a second round of invitations in the fall. Twenty-four alumni (20.7% response rate) who submitted responses to this survey. Findings from alumni indicate: Most alumni respondents earned their Neag School of Education degrees in the areas of English/Language Arts (26.1%), Elementary (17.4%), and History/Social Studies (17.4%). Secondary degrees were primarily earned from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the fields of English (43.5%) and History/Social Studies (17.4%). With regard to content area preparation, 83.3% Agree or Strongly Agree with the statement the dual degree helped me be a better-prepared teacher in my content area, and 79.2% feel more confident in the content area because of the dual degree. 83% believe that the dual degree will help them to receive job offers in the future. 54.2% agree that the dual degree has already contributed to their ability to receive teaching job offers, while 25% disagree with this statement. 87.5% of respondents would recommend the dual degree to others. Only 29.2% felt well-informed about the new initiative went they were a student. Qualitative information was gathered from alumni in the form of their responses to questions about the project s strengths and areas for improvement. From the responses obtained to each question, several themes emerged: The most frequently reported strength addressed increased content area knowledge and/or preparation, with 65% of responses touching on this particular area. 25% of alumni cited incentive or opportunity to take additional courses as a benefit of the dual degree. 1

2 25% of alumni looked forward to having more options for future employment while 15% noted their greater eligibility for their current teaching position. The most commonly offered suggestions for improvement involved the need for more clarity in advising students about requirements (50%), and the need to inform students early in the program about this opportunity (28%). Students. During the spring of 2011, students who were presently pursuing non-education majors the University of Connecticut were surveyed during a course taken at CLAS. (See full report entitled Investigating Teacher Interest for Students with a Non Education Major: Survey Results from the Spring of 2011). As part of this survey, questions were embedded about the topic of dual degrees. Of the 706 students responses to the Teacher Interest Survey, 359 responses were obtained to questions directly related to current student awareness and interest regarding the dual degree. Of those students responding to this set of questions, 60% reported that they were familiar with the option to seek a dual degree. 78 out of 359 students (22%) indicated that they Probably or Definitely would seek the dual degree, while 68% reported they Probably or Definitely would not pursue the option. An additional 37 students (10%) were undecided. Students also were asked to cite their reasons for possibly pursing or not pursuing the dual degree. Eighty-five qualitative responses were obtained to the question asking students their reasons for possibly considering the dual degree, while 159 responses were offered as reasons for not pursuing this option. The most frequently reported reason note for pursuing a dual degree was increased employment opportunities, versatility, or greater marketability, with 39 responses (46%) addressing this motive. A quest for knowledge was viewed as important for 21 respondents (25%); 18 cited multiple interests or passion/interest for a particular subject, while 3 noted the desire for a broader education, or simply more knowledge. Fourteen percent (12 responses) indicate that earning the second degree does not require much more work and/or time beyond what is required for the first; and three offered other remarks on value in terms of cost. Nine students (11%) wished to receive increased content area knowledge for teaching. The reasons most frequently offered by students for not pursuing the dual degree were: Sixty-four respondents (40%) stated that completion would require too much time, or that it was now too late in their course of study to begin the necessary work towards another degree. Forty-one students (26%) felt that the workload would be too demanding; of these, 11 noted that they were already pursuing a demanding major, such as engineering. Little or no interest in teaching K-12 and/or other career goals was cited in 31 responses (19%); another 26 students (16%) reported they were not interested in the option or did not feel the need to pursue it. Finally, 9% of those responding to the question (14 students) indicated that they were already pursuing a double major. 2

3 Responses from Alumni to the Dual Degree Survey Please indicate the field/program that you received your degrees. Option Count Percent Neag School of Education Degree English/Languge Arts Elementary History/Social Studies World Language Mathematics Biology College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree English History/Social Studies Biology Mathematics Political Science World Languages Other Please rate your level of agreement with each of the following statements. My dual degree in education and a content area contributed to my ability to get job offers as a teacher. My employment was influenced by me having a dual degree. I believe that my dual degree will help me receive job offers in the future. I believe that the dual degree helped me be a better-prepared teacher in my content area. I feel more confident in my content area because of the dual degree. I feel that colleagues in my department appreciate the fact that I received a dual degree. I would recommend the dual degree to other people. I felt well informed about the dual degree when I was a student in the program. Strongly Disagree Disagree 3 Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree 2 (8.33%) 4 (16.67%) 5 (20.83%) 6 (25.00%) 7 (29.17%) 2 (8.33%) 4 (16.67%) 5 (20.83%) 8 (33.33%) 5 (20.83%) 1 (4.17%) 0 (0.00%) 3 (12.50%) 8 (33.33%) 12 (50.00%) 1 (4.17%) 1 (4.17%) 2 (8.33%) 6 (25.00%) 14 (58.33%) 1 (4.17%) 2 (8.33%) 2 (8.33%) 7 (29.17%) 12 (50.00%) 1 (4.17%) 2 (8.33%) 7 (29.17%) 8 (33.33%) 5 (20.83%) 1 (4.17%) 1 (4.17%) 1 (4.17%) 3 (12.50%) 18 (75.00%) 7 (29.17%) 6 (25.00%) 3 (12.50%) 3 (12.50%) 4 (16.67%)

4 What would you consider the strengths of the dual degree offering? Response I think that the strength would be the increased content area knowledge. The dual degree program provided incentive for me to take more English classes. The dual degree not only made me feel more confident in my content area, but it allowed me to take various classes that expanded my repertoire. I was also able to interact with other faculty members from different departments on a regular basis, and was provided with an alternate perspective other than just Neag. I spent so much time and effort completing courses in college, especially when the rest of my friends were out partying. Getting the dual degree, to me, felt like a reward for all the hard work. More content...and you practically do the same amount of courses for the School of Ed. degree, so you might as well get both. Also, if for some reason you leave the field, you still have another degree. I am not sure if this survey applies to me, as all music education students received a dual degree, but I am glad that I earned a degree in my subject area. Music is a highly specific field, so the additional coursework in this area contributed to my having a strong background in my subject. With the dual degree in education, as well as in a content area, you become the most qualified teacher in the classroom. Also it gives you the opportunity to take more courses in your content area, which helps when teaching high school. I think its vital for UCONN to offer the dual degree. For a teacher to be considered "highly qualified" he/she has to have a degree in their respective content area. Without the dual degree I would not have been eligible for the job I am currently in. I think it will give me more options in the future. Say for example, after 10 years I decide I don't want to teach, but want to write math curriculum. I think having a solid math background will help me better do that. More coursework in content area I think that it allows me greater job opportunities both inside the field of education and inside the field of biology. As a result, I now am happily employed by Middle School X as a French teacher. I was also certified in Elementary education, but due to the economy and vast amount of applicants- I received few callbacks. Without my dualdegree I would not have a full-time job now!! By gaining a dual degree, I felt more versatile. If there was ever a point I wanted to change my teaching position, I already had a degree in the content area and would simply need to take a few extra education classes and pass the Praxis II. I felt it provided me an opportunity to be more prepared for my future. In my experience, the NSoE if great for teacher prep but light on content. The dual degree program helped me to develop a thorough understanding of the content I now teach. Having a strong foundation in my content area (Music) has made me a better teacher. I had more opportunities to build skills and content knowledge than I would have in the new IBM Music Education program. I would not be able to do my job effectively without the specialized graduate training I have been receiving from another institution. The Music Education Master's degree should NOT be offered as part of an integrated program. The capability to pursue a job other than teaching. I think the dual degree made me more marketable, although I'm not teaching the content area my degree is in. More core content in discipline area 4

5 The opportunity to take a liberal art and be "well rounded" and be able to teach in a different content area. It brings a level of passion behind my instruction as well. The emphasis in MUSIC. Feeling qualified Response What suggestions would you have for improving the dual degree offering? Though it wasn't an issue for me, some of my peers were not well informed about the degree and what specific classes needed to be taken. It would also be beneficial to have classes in the English department designed specifically for education majors or those thinking of going into education. These courses would provide necessary content information, as well as methods for teaching the content. Most students weren't aware of the opportunity--students should be aware that it's feasible to complete a dual degree--but they have to know pretty early. Having this information available to students from the start would be beneficial. Making it more clear what the classes required would before receiving it and showing students that it is not a lot beyond what they are required to do anyway (especially for secondary ed majors) I got the dual degree without knowing I did...i just happened to have done enough courses in both programs. So, I would say informing students from the start about their options is beneficial. I completed this program the first year that the dual degree was offered. The process is probably more streamlined now (hopefully), but I had an awful time getting in touch with people in CLAS that knew what I was talking about. It seemed that no one could help me with determining what classes I need to take to complete my History degree in CLAS. Even the registrar did not know how to enroll me in Undergraduate courses as a 5th year Masters student it was a very frustrating experience! I was the first year when it was offered so I was confused on what requirements I had to fulfill, especially with the changes in gen-ed requirements. Perhaps make it even clearer to students what classes they need to take. I am not sure how it is advertised for entering Freshman who plan to apply to Neag, but getting the duel degree takes planning before the program. The duel degree started the year I was accepted into Neag, and I had to take 17 credits every semester and a summer class to get it. It was stressful but I am happy that I did it. For incoming freshman, they should be made totally aware of what the requirements are so they can plan and take classes accordingly before they are potentially accepted into the program. Don't make this mandatory. There should not be an "all or nothing" ultimatum for this program. I wasn't given an option of a bachelors/masters at the time I was there and received two bachelors, which yielded me no advantages salary wise or finding a better job. I am currently pursuing my masters elsewhere and I am glad to be doing it at a different university. I think it needs to be more readily available and offered. I only did the dual degree because my biology advisor set me up with it and talked me through it. She was the single most important influence in me choosing this option. Make students more aware of the PROCESS of how to get certified. I had to fight tooth and nail to get my dualdegree, since I kept getting referred from person to person for information. Even the state made the requirements uncertain, and I had to check multiple sources before confirming that all I had to do was take two tests and two additional classes to get the certification. It was an extremely difficult and confusing process, but 5

6 well worth the trouble for me to get my current wonderful job. At times, I felt the School of Education did not always provide opportunities to learn about the dual degree system. I feel that informing new students to Neag about this opportunity would influence many more students to pursue a full degree in their content area as well as their degree in education. Also, having advisors at the School of Education collaborate with other advisors from dual degree major programs would help students better understand the requirements to fulfill the expectations. Make the workload clearer; student should know what they're getting into. Make the dual bachelor's degree program the only way to complete a Music Education program--eliminate the integrated Master's program in Music Education. There is already too much to learn in five years, and beginning teachers need time to figure out what specialized graduate training would make them better musicians and teachers. Make it possible to do a dual degree in unrelated subjects. Example: history and math. That way it would be easier to obtain dual certification. N/A If I could go back and redo my undergraduate education, I would never have chosen the dual degree program. Even in this survey, it is clear that music education majors were in no way thought of or treated as an equal part of the education program (our field isn't even listed up top!) I felt more in touch with the music department than the school of education. After being referred to as "the music kids" more than once in multiple education classes, having assignments either completely forfeited by ed staff or told we could "be creative and figure out how this applied to us", I completely lost respect for the program. I respected the music faculty only, who took their time to make sure our classes were curtailed to our needs. General classes like exceptionality, ed psych, and etc. were in no way this way. I am disappointed in the fact that not only was I only given the option of the dual degree, which I knowingly stepped into, but I was then forced to pay for a 5th year of school that gave me a second bachelors with no benefits for such. As a 4th year teacher who has worked in two separate districts, this has in no way affected my salary positively. I am still paid as if I only had one bachelors and there is no "bachelors plus 30" step. I am also now paying off a 5th year of school and trying to pay for grad school since a masters was not offered as part of our "dual degree program". I am aware that this has changed now for the music ed majors, but I do not think it is right that students have no CHOICE in whether or not they are able to get a double degree or just a single degree. The option should be offered. It doesn't exist anymore. Bring it back! The duel bachelors gave me the education I needed, not just pieces of paper that said I supposedly knew the information. Bring back the duel bachelors for music majors instead of making it similar to the other majors. More in applying the English curriculum to the actual classes we may be teaching. 6

7 Responses from Students Regarding Interest in Dual Degrees (Results of entire survey are included on a separate report: Investigating Teacher Interest for Students with a Non Education Major: Survey Results from the Spring of 2011) Are You Familiar with the Option to Seek a Dual Degree (e.g., CLAS and Neag School of Education)? Option Count Percent Yes No I am a graduate student so this is not applicable Total: Might You Seek a Dual Degree? Option Count Percent Definitely yes Probably yes Probably no Definitely no I do not know Total: What Are Your 1-2 Most Significant Reasons for Possibly Pursuing a Dual Degree? More employment opportunities Better career opportunities EUROTECH Program, opportunity to study abroad I want to be comfortable teaching in my content area and pursuing a dual degree would help me best. If I wish to further my studies, then I can maybe pursue higher education. Better career opportunities Better job opportunities balance to further my knowledge of English at the university level 1. Why not? 2. I love English more options and opportunities opportunities that an additional degree would bring more career options NCLB requirements, expanded career opportunity 7

8 Being able to get hands on in the school systems as I pursue the degree So I can teach a variety of different grade levels. Like middle school/high school Spanish or English, just in case I end up not enjoying teaching elementary education as much as I thought I would. Having an additional degree with not a ton of extra classes I want to pursue a dual degree to become certified to teach both Elementary and Secondary English. to get more advanced experience in a particular subject Because it s not that much extra work, and it might make me look better when I'm applying for a job. Availability to find careers outside of education if that is necessary Keep my options open I believe that having a degree in English will make me a better English teacher; I will have a stronger basis of knowledge on the subject I want to instruct others on can feel like a great accomplishment, more to offer future employers more career options, better resume Increased skill set leaving college, better chance at job placement More job competitiveness To have a more narrow area of expertise All of the courses I'm taking meet the requirements for 2 degrees. Might as well go for it. It combines two fields of interest I find very interesting and will help me find a career path that I am interested in. Interest in multiple subjects. Studying multiple areas at once you enjoy. Getting a broader education. I like polysci and would like to teach I am interested in more than one thing Too many interests to satisfy with one degree looking good for when I apply for a job/ having 2 interests and can t decide pursue two different interest areas There are only a few more classes to take to receive a second degree. To widen my teaching opportunities if I decide later on that I do not enjoy teaching Elementary Education. I have a dual-degree in Accounting & Spanish. Job opportunities (I already have one in NYC) & I love Spanish. Already doing Spanish and business So I can be proficient in b I want to be a speech language pathologist who can practice in Spanish, so I am getting a dual degree in Communication Disorders and Spanish... though they're both in CLAS Multiple interests, language goes well with anything I am also interested in teaching Italian If I choose one day to stop teaching, I will have a backup degree which I can work with 8

9 Currently seeking a double major in French and Spanish I'm graduating in May with a dual degree in Communication Science and Spanish save money 2 in 1 great saving like the combination of a language with another degree Further employment in translation in addition to teaching If I have taken the majority of the classes and it is not too far out of my league, then I do not see any reason to pick another degree up. I am also heavily interested between my World language majors and have exposed me to different modes of thinking. I already am pursuing a dual degree because I wanted/needed more classes and experience with the Spanish language. I still wish I could take more classes. broaden career options More job opportunities My courses overlap with other majors because I want to learn and better my opportunities interest I have enough credits that it seems logical to do it. Higher qualification for job certifications, to learn more Having better background knowledge; Being able to teach ECE calculus Having more options Content AND pedagogy are critical for teaching More knowledge more options after I graduate; making sure I like my career decision just in case I want to get the most out of my undergraduate career. Math is serious and music is for fun and relaxation more options for post college; interested It won't put me behind in classes; I might as well do it. Preparation to teach college-level calculus in high schools. It looks good on a resume. MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES multiple interests one a couple extra classes more money already pursuing dual degree better preparation for what I want to become 9

10 More opportunities for jobs. Time is money I already am getting better one in German / Engineering Opens up many more career opportunities graduating quicker with both degrees not sure not that hard to obtain more knowledge and better job opportunity interested in human-computer interaction / user experience design (combination of CS + cognitive psychology) What Are Your 1-2 Most Significant Reasons for Not Pursuing a Dual Degree? I'm graduating with a double major already. The ridiculous and unnecessary requirements of the University. already dual degree-ing I want to go to graduate school and get my PhD and am not interested in getting certified to teach high school at this point I do not have enough time to finish my studies. I don t have enough time and I am not interested in teaching. I'm almost done so I don't have time. I'm not looking to teach on the high school level. I didn't decide to go into teaching soon enough. Too much time in school Too large of a course load Because I'm not in NEAG, so I'm not able to pursue an additional degree in Education Too late in college career; unsure of career path I was rejected from the IB/M program and am graduating early not positive I want to become a teacher I wanted to focus on my English degree and have more freedom to take classes that interested me, not just survey courses. Do not have the time to fit it in the four years because of transferring here. I am already a senior, and I was not interested in pursuing a master's degree in education until I received a bachelor's in another field. too late to start it now SIGNIFICANTLY more work involved 10

11 I became interested in education and teaching too late in my college career to actually pursue the dual degree and graduate within a 4 to 5 year period. I am not interested in teaching any levels below university. It seems like it would be too much work for me to handle. Moreover, I do not believe I would make a good teacher. Both of my majors are in the same school I am graduating in 1 month so that ship has pretty much sailed. Also I really don't think I want to be a teacher, except possibly at a university after studying for a PhD Not interested in teaching at all. Ability to graduate on time not enough time Law School Time. I already want to study so much within my one school (CLAS) I am not interested in teaching as a career, I would like to pursue a different option Credit amount I do not see the need for it at the moment. Two majors in CLAS, probably not interested in teaching I already have a second major. don't have enough time too late not enough time money, more time in school not interested in teaching Not enough time I am graduating soon and that would mean staying for an extended amount of time seems as my current majors aren't directly related to what I want to teach. I will already have a bachelor's degree I am graduating in May, I have a double major in CLAS I am interested in teaching at the college/university level, and I'm pretty sure that NEAG applies mostly to those planning to teach K-12. Already pursuing a dual degree in Business- so didn't want to pursue 3 degrees, and was too late to add another degree program by the time I decided to pursue teaching (Spring of my Junior year) I want to be a college professor, so I have to get a PhD. Once I decided to become a teacher, it was too late to pursue a dual degree and graduate within a reasonable time frame. 11

12 longer to graduate I learned about it too late I didn't have time to have a dual degree because I transferred a year into my undergraduate college career double major; studying abroad gets in the way with NEAG I'm assuming Not enough time to complete all my credits as a double major. I am a double major in CLAS. Staying Extra Year I don't want to become a teacher. It does not in any way benefit my career goals I don't think that I want to go into teaching at this point. Too close to graduation Already double majoring in CLAS Graduating in spring 2011 course load I m graduating It's not necessary for what I want to do for a career Double major extra time in school Too demanding. Would be in school for too long. Having to take extra classes The course load would be too tough Chemistry major is enough I want to graduate in 4 year, engineering is enough already. I question the necessity of it too much work, don't know what I want to do The extra work load I am a Pre-med/Engineering (like a dual degree already) money and time Too much work & not enough time; aren't many chemistry teacher openings I'm graduating Engineering w/ a minor is tough enough as it is, dual degree may take 5th year 1) I have enough work as it is. 2) I don't like people. It doesn't help me, it's more work not reason to 12

13 Don't see the need for taking extra classes to get a math degree when the single degree by itself will allow me to teach one is enough I am already senior Too late in my college career to start dual degree. PhD / work experience route Too late in my career, and not interested in teaching n/a Not interested in teaching right now Too much work Too many classes Too much work; Not enough time It will add to my course load, which is strenuous enough ultimately. too much work Too much work Too many classes to complete until I graduate. already am majoring in engineering and physics I don't have two areas I'm interested in getting a degree in TOO LONG. NEED JOB. I want to graduate in 4 years Career would not be challenging enough I'm engineering major and that's already like having two. It may be a lot more work. 1. unnecessary for what I want to do. Hard major already / almost completed / not enough time I do not want to be a teacher. The amount of extra time and money. not interested / don't want to teach I am more interested in pursuing research. Know I want to be a doctor, not a teacher. Engineering and b/c I want to teach later in life. CLASS LOADS Chemical Engineering is hard enough. Also, 2 minors. Not enough time. one degree is enough 13

14 Not enough room in schedule. for classes Too much work Simply wish for one degree in one school more time, spend more money Too much work / wouldn't graduate or late Time, money I want to focus on one degree so I can do the best I can Course load & not enough time to focus on one field overwhelming workload time commitment, workload I'm not really interested in seeking one. It's a lot of work and I don't think I could handle it. I have no interest in anything else More work and time in school; more money spent. Engineering is already too stressful without getting a second degree Time is money 1) too late to declare now to graduate in 4years 2) too many credits needed It would take longer and + cost more Don't think I can handle the work, my major is tough enough Already too busy w/ major and minor intense course load and not interested engineering is already very, very time consuming not what I want to do in life civil engineering is already taking me more than 4 years I can't apply now it would take six years engineering is hard enough it would cost too much b/c it would take more time at college not sure don't have time to fit in a second degree I want to graduate on time do not feel it necessary 1: money 2: money lots of work and I don't see myself becoming a teacher in the future engineering is a lot of work one engineering degree is hard enough 14

15 no need I don't like teaching other people I know what I want to do I don't want to take extra classes and be here for more than 4 years not interested don't want to I don't have time not enough time or money worse money, bad at explaining thing doesn t interest me, too much work with engineering major 15