Fall 2008 Graduate Survey Assessment Day Presentation Office of Assessment Fitchburg State College

History and methodology Model: UMASS-Dartmouth Inherently interesting target group May also stand in for alumni data Approach: Banner workflow generates warning of survey, link then sent via either Tk20 (N = 40) or SelectSurvey (N = 610)

Sample and return rate About 650 graduation applicants for Fall 2008/ Winter 2009/Spring 2009 Respondents = 240 (37%) 202 usable records (102 GR, 100 UG) Degree programs represented: – Bio, Business, Comm. Media, Computer Science, CJ, Econ., Education, English, EXSS, History, Human Services, ITEC, IDIS, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

Topical sections Classwork in major(s) Non-major classwork Library/media center Perceptions of learning Experiences with co-curriculum and student services Future plans

Results – Major studies Baseline: Overall satisfaction with FSC. – 3.76 (5-point scale) UG, 4.10 GR, SDs < 1. Eleven items – Availability of classes, frequency of course offerings, class size, quality of instruction, quality of texts, faculty availability, timeliness of coursework, learning facilities, major-related extra-curricular activities, relevance to career goals, level of challenge. UG items of interest: class size (3.95), quality of instruction (3.89), frequency of course offerings (3.32)

Results – Gen Ed Same item set as major coursework. Scores generally about 0.10 lower than corresponding items in the major. UG items of interest: class size (3.69 vs. 3.95), faculty availability (3.67 vs. 3.86), match to career goals (3.39 vs. 3.66).

Results - Library Five items: resources, accessibility, staff quality, staff as teachers, library facilities. Align with domains of the LibQual survey. Response means: 3.81 – 4.07.

Results – Learning Perceptions (I) Ten items: written communication, oral communication, quantitative skills, dealing with diversity, conducting research, accessing information, using computer technology, critical reasoning, leadership, teamwork. Five-point scale, “very weak” to “very strong.”

Results – Learning Perceptions (II) Perception of end state typically about 4.35 Perception of change typically about Items of interest: – quantitative skills end state 4.11 – research skills change 0.72 – accessing information change 0.60.

Results – Student Affairs Laundry list of 30 student services and offices, plus a question on extra-curricular campus life overall. Five point scale, mean Highly variable response numbers, little variation in results. Outlier: parking (2.96)

Typical Academic Affairs Questions How many graduates go on to careers in their fields of study? How long does it take graduates to get their careers launched? How do graduates assess their earning power and how successful are they in their chosen fields? How many graduates go on for more formal education?

Results – Future Plans Most (UG, 78%, GR 67%) look forward to full- time employment in field of study. 34% (UG) have full-time jobs or job offers, 9% have part-time jobs or job offers. Mean reported UG starting salary in field of study: $32,700. Mean reported GR starting salary in field of study: $39,900. Only 17% of UG grads anticipate graduate school in the next 12 months.

Overall Issues with the survey size and data collection process limit inputs. Small Ns so far for most programs. Some useful info for academic departments and College offices.

Questions