Departmental Assessment Update - Arts and Humanities Report
Department: Speech
Program: MA
Level: Graduate
1. Has your program developed learning outcomes? If
yes, please list.
Yes. To understand the central functions of human communication: message processing, relational communication, and social influence. To develop an integrated and systematic understanding of the human communication process. To be able to apply communication principles in their profession of future graduate study toward the Ph.D.
2. If your program has learning outcomes, where are
they published (e.g., department web page)?
We have our old SLOs listed in the website, UH catalog, and informational brochures. We will be working on updating these with new SLOs this year.
3. Do your faculty list course learning outcomes on
their syllabi?
All faculty members at the Department list their course goals in their syllabi. However, there is a sizable variation across faculty as to how close the articulated course goals are to learning outcomes.
4. Does your program have a curriculum map that
links course outcomes to program outcomes? If
so, please include.
Not yet for the graduate program.
5. Does your program benchmark or have goals for
student performance? (e.g. 70% students will
graduate within 5 years)
Not articulate specifically, but we make it very clear to studnets that we expect them to finish in two years, and close to 85% of out graduate students graudate in two years.
6. Other than GPA, what data/evidence is used to
determine that graduates have achieved stated
outcomes for the degree? (i.e. capstone project,
class assignment)
Passing Speech 601 an 602 class: Our M.A. program requires incoming graduate students pass both Speech 601 and Speech 602 classes with the minimum grade of B and above. Annual assessment by Grad Chair: Every year, the faculty reviews each student's performance at the end of the Spring semester. Each faculty then submits a summary of graduate students they interact with in whatever capacity. Graduate Chair compiles all the information provided by the faculty, reviews, and write up an assessment of each student. On-going interaction with Advisor: Graduate students are encouraged to meet with their faculty advisor on a regular basis. In addition to receiving advising regarding coursework, thesis development, etc., many of our students engage in research collaborations with the faculty. As concrete outcome of the collaborative efforts, many of them make regular appearances in national and international conferences as presenters and co-authors. . Thesis/Plan B proposal defense: After forming an advisory committee and develop plan of study, graduate students submit their thesis or Plan B proposal to the advisory committee. Then defense meeting is set up. After the proposal is accepted, the student officially becomes a M.A. candidate. Thesis/Plan B defense: Each student is required to give an oral presentation of his/her completed thesis or Plan B project, and to defend his/her work by answering questions from faculty members who serve on his/her committee. Successful defense of the project is the culmination of our MA program.
7. Who interprets the evidence of student learning?
Their academic advisor as well as thesis (or Plan B) committee members
8. How are the assessment data/results used to
inform decisions concerning the curriculum and
administration of the program?
Graduate assessment results provide strong direct evidence of learning as well as students’ perceptions of their experience in and satisfaction with the department. These results are shared and discussed among faculty each year, and we make appropriate adjustments in our graduate curriculum to ensure that our students get the necessary courses and support for learning. For instance, we learned that many of our research courses required to produce proposals rather than completed studies. This resulted in a delay in students’ learning of the practical kills needed to complete thesis. Consequently we made a change to ensure some of the research courses require completed projects rather than proposals.
9. What attempts are made to monitor students’ postgraduate
professional activities?
We are in the process of compiling a list of all our graduates and their current professional activities. Once the list is completed, we expect to conduct a follow-up survey/interview to assess the long term impact of their graduate education at the Department.