Graduate Council Process
The Graduate Council has recently discussed and approved the overarching Graduate Learning Outcomes for doctoral and masters programs. Subsequently, it was approved by the Faculty Senate as well (doctoral - on Jan 13, 2011 and Masters - on April 14, 2011).
The graduate outcomes, as approved by Faculty Senate, is presented here:
- For PhD Degree programs:
“As a result of successfully completing the requirements toward the Ph.D., students shall: (a) produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge; (b) demonstrate mastery of subject material; and (c) be able to conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner. Additional outcomes, the assessment of all outcomes and the specification of learning objectives related to these outcomes are to be carried out at the program level and reviewed periodically.
These outcomes are to be assessed at the program level. Outcome (a) is already part of the assessment performed at the final oral exam and the GCR is specifically required to raise this metric. Outcome (b) is part of every unit’s requirements for students and is assessed by course work grades and preliminary examinations. Outcome (c) is new and will require the units to be sure the students are informed/trained as to what is required to conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner. There is an array of methods the units could choose to use, such as the Graduate School course on RCR, along with other courses, instruction in research groups, etc.”
- For Master’s Degree programs:
The Graduate Council approved (on February 25, 2011) the following motion regarding the Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) for Master’s students:
- Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work, and
- Demonstrate mastery of subject material, and
- Be able to conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner
The assessment of these outcomes and the specification of learning objectives related to these outcomes are to be carried out at the program level.
Graduate Assessment Schedule
All graduate programs start discussions on how they might assess the above outcomes and any additional outcomes.
Graduate outcomes assessment plans are due to the Director of Assessment by December 15, 2011.
The actual assessment begins from January 2012.
The first Annual Graduate Assessment Report is due September 15, 2012 to the Director of Assessment.
