Interdisciplinary Studies Program Review: Fall 2014

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1 Interdisciplinary Studies Program Review: Fall 214 I. PROGRAM MISSION AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES A. Mission Statement The mission of the Interdisciplinary Studies program is to provide a comprehensive, yet personalized education for students wishing to continue their education. The curriculum includes career-technical, general education/transfer, and topics courses. Program requirements are flexible and specific to each student s needs as to help students establish their educational goals. 1. Is the program mission aligned with the College s mission, vision, and strategic plan? Yes B. Institutional Student Learning Outcomes 1. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills. 2. Students will use reasoning skills to analyze and solve problems. 3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures and value systems. 4. Students will apply health-related knowledge to promote physical and mental well-being. C. Program Student Learning Outcomes 1. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills using a variety of genres, and utilizing different technologies. 2. Students will use critical thinking and reasoning skills to analyze and solve problems. 3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures and value systems. 4. Students will apply health-related knowledge to promote physical and mental well-being. 5. Students will display professionalism in appearance, job performance, and ability to work as team members. 6. Students will develop the professional competencies to function effectively within their chosen academic disciplines and careers. II. ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM OUTCOMES A. Assessment of Program Student Learning Outcomes This degree program requires all students complete a 1-credit capstone project during their last semester. This was added to the degree during the Fall of 214. This capstone is designed to allow students to develop a project or product demonstrating how they have met the program s outcomes and are prepared to enter the workforce in their degree field. The capstone is unique to each student, as each student s degree focus will look somewhat different. 1 P a g e

2 Each degree-seeking student will begin an electronic portfolio during his or her college orientation course. Initially, we are using the campus online learning management system, Moodle. This portfolio will contain items for student use (education plans and resumes), institutional use (outcome measurement), and multi-use (student reflective statements). When completing general education courses, students will be required to upload an assignment to their portfolios demonstrating their progress toward achieving the relevant student learning outcome. Also, students will upload a reflective statement for each course. This reflective statement will describe, in the student s own words, what he or she has learned in the course and why the course will be important to his or her future. B. Outcomes Assessment Results and Action Response Due to lack of graduates and lack of previous data collection, there is limited assessment data for this program. Previously this program did not identify a method for obtaining this data. Therefore, changes were made to increase the assessment of this program. These changes include the eportfolio and Capstone listed above. C. Employer/Self-employed Satisfaction (A.A.S, Diploma, Certificate) This data has not been tracked over the past 5 years. Since this degree program is specific to each student s educational needs and based upon the graduate s future career desires. The job market in the area is very heavily focused on the oil and gas industry as well as education, health and medical and support services. Students in the areas of education, health and medical would be better served with an AAS degree in that area instead as there are often certifications required. For support service positions not requiring specific certifications, this degree would be a viable option. For someone wanting to own his or her own business, this could be a beneficial degree as it offers valuable general education courses while also allowing the student to customize a their degree to fit their needs. D. Transfer Information (A.A, A.S) N/A E. External Reviews and Recommendations When the state advisory team was here in the Fall of 214, no recommendations were made. III. PROGRAM RESOURCES AND SUPPORT A. Student Enrollment Data 1. Trends and Barriers 66 students were matriculated into the program, then called General and Technical Studies, in the Fall of 213. The program s name was changed in late Fall 213 to lessen confusion for students. During the Fall of 214, 5 students were matriculated into the program. When advising these students it was discovered the students were actually AA or AS students whose goal was to take generals, to transfer, or were undecided. In the past 3 years, there have been no students who actively pursued a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students are listed incorrectly due to how they filled out their application. 2 P a g e

3 B. Faculty Data 2. Action Plan and Strategy This program doesn t have any students actively pursuing this degree program, although the numbers show students in the program these students need to have program change forms completed. It may be time to consider eliminating this program. The majority of courses taken in this program vary from student to student. All students are required to take a course in Communications; Math, Science, or Computer Science; Humanities, or Social Science; Wellness; and College Strategies or College Transitions. Currently there are a wide variety of classes offered and adequate staff to meet the needs of students in these general education areas. Students are also required to complete a capstone as well as a co-op experience. The co-op program at WSC is very informal and could be improved. The other credits required are based on the student s chosen field and vary from student to student. C. Facilities/Technology/Budget Data Facility needs are similar to the AA and AS programs as students take similar courses. Students will need access to computers, learning commons, tutoring/supplemental instruction, advising, online course support, counseling, student services, etc. The current renovation of Stevens Hall that will open in the Spring of 215 should meet these needs. No additional funds are needed at this time. D. Student Support Services Advising in this program is currently assigned to Extended Learning as credit for prior learning could easily be incorporated into this degree. Current advisor is knowledgeable in advising and has been instrumental in developing student education plans across multiple degree areas. Currently WSC hosts an online job site for students and employers to access regarding job opportunities for graduates. On campus tutoring is available for all students in the area of Math and Writing. Online tutoring is offered across multiple subject areas for all students. Tutoring in other subject areas on campus would be beneficial for all students. E. Internships/clinical/practicum/co-ops This program requires students to complete 1 credit of co-op that relates to the degree they are obtaining. This degree allows students to choose a specific area of interest to pursue and internships/coop which are focused in their chosen area. Currently WSC does not have a highly structured COOP program. The students are responsible for finding their own internship/coop site and then signing up for the course and completing the requirements of the course. They receive little assistance. The faculty member who was previously in charge of the COOP course no longer works at WSC and this course is currently housed in the business department. WSC does have an online site that employers can post an internship/coop with. This is something that could be expanded and marketed. This is something that should be looked at and improved. There are 3 P a g e

4 currently no affiliation agreements for this program. IV. PROGRAM STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT A. Strengths Flexibility in course choice for students, which allows them to design a degree that fits the area of study they are interested in. This degree also allows students to utilize appropriate credit for prior learning through on the job training, military training, and certifications they may already hold. The capstone requirement of the program allows students to document and demonstrate what they have learned in their program. This is used to not only evaluate the program, and that the student has met the program requirements, but could also be used to demonstrate skills to a potential employer. B. Opportunities for Improvement If the program remains, it needs to be marketed more to employers and community members who may benefit from this type of degree program. COOP program campus wide could be improved to become a more comprehensive co-op that works with area employers to identify more opportunities for students. V. PROGRAM VIABILITY This program has only had 3 graduates in the past 5 years. The last time someone graduated was May 212. With the AA and AS degree as well as a variety of AAS programs for students to choose from, is there a need for this program anymore? Even with the name change students are still confused as to what this program is because we don t have an undecided major. Since the AAS degree isn t as transferable as an AA or AS, is it beneficial to students? Marketing related to credit for prior learning and obtaining a degree using it through WSC was done over the 214 and still no students showed an actual interest in this program. VI. VII. REVIEW TEAM Katie Peterson Matt Peterson James Stout APPENDIX Program Outcome Guide Enrollment Data Graduation Data Curriculum Map 4 P a g e

5 WSC Program Outcome Guide (POG) Interdisciplinary Studies (AAS/CP) Prerequisites Courses Assessment Tasks Completion of high school degree or equivalent. For writing course placement, students must demonstrate proficiency through ACT test scores, COMPASS test scores, or completion of ASC 87. For math course placement, students must demonstrate proficiency through ACT test scores, COMPASS test scores, or completion of ASC 93. Students are required to take 1 class from each of the following 4 areas: - Communications - Math, Science or Computer Science - Humanities or Social Science - Wellness First time students are also required to take ASC 1 In addition this program requires students participate in 1 or more credits of COOP 197. Remaining credits should be chosen based on student s career goal and be approved by the program team. Student can earn up to 15 credits for approved credit for prior learning. COMMUNICATIONS BOTE 21 COMM 11 COMM 211 COMM 212 COMM 216 ENGL 15 ENGL 11 ENGL 12 ENGL 125 COMPUTER SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY BOTE 12 BOTE 152 BOTE 188 BOTE 218 BOTE 299 CIS 15 CIS 128 CIS 129 CIS 13 CIS 18 CSCI 11 CSCI 114 CSCI 12 CSCI 122 CSCI 16 CSCI 161 CSCI 289 Capstone projects are embedded in various courses to measure intended student learning outcomes. Intended Outcomes 1. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills using a variety of genres, and utilizing different technologies. 2. Students will use critical thinking and reasoning skills to analyze and solve problems. 3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures and value systems. 4. Students will apply health-related knowledge to promote physical and mental wellbeing. 5. Student will display professionalism in appearance, job performance, and ability to work as team members. 6. Student will develop the professional competencies to function effectively within their chosen academic disciplines and careers. 5 P a g e

6 HUMANITIES ART 11 ART 21 ART 211 ART 299 COMM 2 ENGL 211 ENGL 22 ENGL 222 ENGL 299 ENGL 224 ENGL 225 ENGL 238 ENGL 261 ENGL 262 ENGL 265 GERM 11 GERM 12 HIST 257 HUMS 21 HUMS 211 HUMS 251 HUMS 252 HUMS 253 HUMS 29 HUMS 299 MUSC 1 MUSC 11 MUSC 111 PHIL 11 PHIL 21 PHIL 215 RELS 12 RELS 23 SPAN 11 SPAN 12 SPAN 21 SPAN 22 THEA 11 THEA 261 THEA 27 HIST 11 HIST 12 HIST 13 HIST 14 HIST 22 HIST 223 HIST 299 MATHEMATICS MATH 1 MATH 12 MATH 13 MATH 14 MATH 15 MATH 17 MATH 146 MATH 165 MATH 166 MATH 21 SCIENCE ASTR 11 BIOL 111 BIOL 115 BIOL 124 BIOL 15 BIOL 151 BIOL 22 BIOL 221 BIOL 23 CHEM 112 CHEM 115 CHEM 116 CHEM 121 CHEM 122 GEOG 121 GEOG 161 GEOL 15 PHYS 1 PHYS 211 PHYS 212 PHYS 251 PHYS 252 PLSC 11 SOIL 21 SOCIAL SCIENCE ANTH 171 CJ 21 ECON 15 ECON 21 ECON 22 GEOG 151 GEOG 161 GEOG 263 POLS 115 POLS 116 PSYC 1 PSYC 111 PSYC 25 PSYC 27 SOC 11 SOC 115 SOC 235 SOC 299 SWK 255 WELLNESS HPER 1 HPER 11 HPER 12 HPER 13 HPER 126 HPER 21 6 P a g e

7 HPER 217 HPER 253 HPER 26 NUTR 222 Interdisciplinary Studies Program Enrollment Data (General & Technical Studies Prior to 214) Applied Admitted Matriculated Revoked Deferred Withdrew Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall P a g e

8 CERT Interdisciplinary Studies Enrollment Data Applied Admitted Matriculated Revoked Deferred Withdrawal Fall Spring 214 Fall Spring 213 Fall Spring Fall Spring 211 Fall P a g e

9 21 Interdisciplinary Studies Graduation Data AAS- IDS CERT IDS P a g e