School of Business Report on Learning Outcomes 2015
table of contents 01 Program Learning Outcomes 04 Business Degrees Awarded 02 Assessment Methods 05 Retention Rates 03 Student Performance 06 Changes Based on Assessment
Learning Outcomes School of Business Program Learning Outcomes There are five basic learning outcomes for every student earning a bachelor s degree in Business Administration. 1. PROFESSIONAL - Demonstrate the ability to apply and synthesize the functional areas of business to make sound business decisions. 2. INFORMATION LITERACY - Access, use and evaluate information in business decision making. 3. DISCIPLINED INQUIRY - Use quantitative and qualitative analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate information, solve problems and make sound decisions. 4. COMMUNICATION SKILLS - Communicate effectively in various forms. 5. ETHICS - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors in the workplace.. section 01
Business students are assessed using a variety of methods to prove proficiency of program learning outcomes. Comprehensive Business Plan Major Field Test Business Plan Presentation Total Performance Community-based Research Internship Business Simulation Game section 02 University Assessment
Assessment Method Comprehensive Business Plan Students in the bachelor of science or arts in Business Administration are required to complete a business plan for their senior capstone. Students are required to apply what is learned in their core business courses and create a feasible business plan. Students present their plan to their peers, department faculty, and their instructor. Target Market Competition Strategy & Risk Technology Financials 5
Student performance BUSINESS PLAN ASSESSMENT In 2014-2015, business plans submitted by four sections of BA 499 were evaluated using a common rubric. A total of 46 plans were rated based on a scale of 0-4 for each section. 4 3 2 1 0 A-level qualities B-level qualities C-level qualities 3.64 3.60 3.56 3.46 3.42 3.36 3.35 3.31 3.29 3.20 3.19 3.17 3.14 3.10 2.99 2.94 2.88 D-level qualities (90 100) (80 89) (70 79) (60 69) F-level qualities (below 60) Average Section Ratings of Four Section of BA 499 (2014-2015) Total Number of BP Evaluated = 46 Executive Summary Company Description Writing Mechanics Documentation and support Management and Organization Operations Industry Analysis and Trends Development, Milestones and Exit Plan The Target Market Community Involvement and Social Responsibility Financial Information Formatting and Referencing Strategic Position Risk Assessment The Competition Marketing Plan and Sales Strategy Technology Plan Average Rating 1.0 6
Student Performance Business Plan Assessment Course sections were compared including Face-to-Face in Ashland, Medford, and Online instruction. 4 3 2 1 0 A-level qualities B-level qualities C-level qualities D-level qualities (90 100) (80 89) (70 79) (60 69) F-level qualities (below 60) Comparison of Average Ratings By BP Segment, By BA 499 Section Overall Average Rating 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 Overall Average Rating Ashland F15 3.41 Online F15 3.12 Ashland W15 3.29 Medford F14 3.37 7
Assessment Method Internships and Business Research As part of the core business requirements, students must complete an internship or a practical business research project working with an external business client. In 2014-15, there were 167 students who chose to do an internship and 51 who chose to complete Business Research. 8
Assessment Method Practical Application Internships Typically 120 hours of internship work are completed in a term Business Research 75 % Students participate in a community-based group research project 25 % Internship or Business Research? 9
Student Performance Internships Employers are required to complete a final evaluation of the student s performance in the internship experience. The overall performance of students over the past three years has been high and improving. This chart displays the categories in which students are evaluated and the percentage who performed at the outstanding level in each category over the last three years.. 10
Student Performance Business Research Students are evaluated by the business client using a rubric with a scale of 1-5 with 1 being Poor and 5 being Excellent. Communication Skills Met Objectives Cooperation Incorporated Client s Suggestions Added Value to your Business Presentation of Report 1 2 3 4 5 Note: Beginning 2015-16 year, results of the client evaluations will be aggregated for use in annual assessment reports.
Assessment Method SOU Senior Writing Assessment In 2013-14, the University Assessment Committee, using a normed rubric, evaluated and rated a random sample of senior capstone projects from every SOU department as part of the University s assessment and accreditation process. The papers were evaluated based on content, fluency, convention, focus, evidence, inferences, and conclusion. The scores for business students were compared against the University as a whole. Business students outperformed other seniors on writing quality and demonstration of critical thinking. 12
Senior Writing Assessment Senior students in the Business Department scored higher in their written communication and critical thinking assessments than other SOU seniors. Sample All University Seniors (n=28) Business Seniors (n=6) Content Development/ Organization Fluency of Expression Standard Convention Sustained Focus Evidence 2.61 2.61 2.75 2.61 2.39 2.36 3.33 3.00 2.83 3.67 2.83 2.67 Valid inferences/ Conclusion SCALE: 4 = Exemplary, 3=Accomplished, 2=Developing, 1=Beginning 13
Assessment Method Business Strategy Game In the Business Strategy Game (BSG), groups of students are assigned to operate an athletic footwear company that produces and markets both branded and private-label footwear and competes head-to-head against footwear companies run by other members of the class. The companies compete in a global market arena, selling in four geographic regions Europe-Africa, North America, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. SOU business students consistently rank in the Global Top 100. 14
The BSG Performance Categories Evaluated: 1. Earnings per share 2. Return on equity 3. Stock price 4. Overall score 15
2014-15 BSG Global Rankings BSG Global Top 100 Ranking 16
Assessment Method Major Field Test The ETS Major Field Test is a comprehensive undergraduate and MBA outcomes assessment designed to measure the critical knowledge and understanding obtained by students in their major field of study. The test goes beyond the measurement of factual knowledge. It evaluates a student s ability to analyze and solve problems, understand relationships and interpret material from their major field of study. The test consists of multiple-choice questions, half of which are based on short case-study scenarios. Questions use materials such as diagrams, graphs and statistical data. Major Field Test Outline 1. Marketing 2. Management 3. Finance 4. Accounting https://www.ets.org/mft/about/content/mba 17
Student Performance Major Field Test Both undergraduate and graduate students who are near the end of their program of study participated in the major field test. Number 2015-2016 (n=30) 2010-2011 (n=47) Count above 50 th percentile Count below 50 th percentile 70% 51.1% 30% 48.9% 18
Business Graduates The number of program completers remains fairly constant. The number of certificates awarded has declined in recent years due to focusing of resources leading to fewer certificate programs offered in the School of Business. Academic Year Undergraduate Business School Degree Conferment 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Business Certificates Awarded 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Number of Graduates 129 144 146 135 101 76 76 68 Business Minors Awarded 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 33 19 29 24 section 04 19
Student Retention School of Business Fall 2015 Returning from Fall 2014 Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Retention Rate 71.7% 77.1% 80.8% 82.5% The retention rate of business seniors remains steady over the last four years. The percentage of freshman returning has increased by about 9 percentages points. Fall 2014 Returning from Fall 2013 Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Fall 2013 Returning from Fall 2012 Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior 60.9 71.0% 76.5% 82.8% 64.1% 73.4% 79.5% 81% section 05 Fall 2012 Returning from Fall 2011 Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior 63% 73.5% 80.2% 82.6% 20
Curriculum Changes A Result of Our Assessments Business Communication was added as a core requirement to improve our students oral and writing skills and develop a more professional disposition Advanced Spreadsheets was added as a program prerequisite to enhance students ability to analyze data The faculty have discussed core business requirements leading up to the capstone course with the goal of better coordination of activities and development of e-portfolios A value statement for the department is being developed to communicate to students the department s expectations in and out of the classroom section 06 21
thank you contact information For more info, please contact Dr. Joan McBee Chair, School of Business mcbeej@sou.edu 541.552.6493