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Institutional Research & Assessment

Southern Utah University
School of Business
Report of Assessment Plans for 2000-2001

In the space below, please indicate the department's success in implementing its assessment plan for 2000-2001. Please report the results by June 2, 2001. Should you have questions, please contact the Associate Provost's Office at 586-7706.

NAME: John Groesbeck, School of Business

DATE: April 15, 2001

E-MAIL: Groesbeck@suu.edu

Assessment Criteria and Activities

Entire Department
1. The school will continuously administer the Business Field Exam from ETS in each of our Management 4950, Strategic Management, capstone course each term.

Was this assessment criterion implemented? yes
Was this assessment criterion achieved? yes
What were the results?
The unit scored in the 97th percentile.
The performance on the exam at the 97th percentile was well above our 75th percentile target.

How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
These results signal that our curriculum is hitting the target. We assess the individual indicators by subject area, and share that data widely. Each assessment indicator by subject is above the standard this cycle. In the past, if a subject area was unusually low, we have the faculty evaluate what the potential causes are and then modify their approach as necessary.

2. The school will survey all graduating seniors annually on the day of graduation as to their placement in jobs or graduate schools.

Was this assessment criterion implemented? yes
Was this assessment criterion achieved? yes
What were the results?
Generally, the results look good. The number of students interested in and applying to graduate programs is well over 70 percent. This is a remarkable change from the recent past when only 20 percent or so expressed interest in graduate programs. This assessment will not be complete until 6 months after graduation when we do our follow-up survey.

How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
When the assessment is completed, we will have better information. However, the basic information regarding increasing interest in graduate school will likely help focus our efforts more sharply in that regard. More than likely, the increasing interest is a result of market reality, and our own efforts to raise that level of interest in obtaining an advanced degree. The creation of the MBA is also an important factor in increasing this level of consciousness.

3. The assessment of fit with employers will be achieved by a survey of employers every third year wherein each program area of the department contacts a minimum of 10 potential employers of students to create an ideal profile of an entry-level employee with respect to the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in that area of employment.

Was this assessment criterion implemented? no (Not on cycle this year)
Was this assessment criterion achieved?
What were the results? N/A
How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program? N/A

4. Curriculum fit will be evaluated with student opinions gathered through several formal focus group interviews every third year.

Was this assessment criterion implemented? no (not on cycle this year)
Was this assessment criterion achieved?
What were the results? N/A
How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program? N/A

5. Curriculum fit will be evaluated with by surveying alumni every third year.

Was this assessment criterion implemented? yes
Was this assessment criterion achieved? yes
What were the results?
The results of the survey generally show that we are doing at or above medium quality (on a 5 point Likert Scale) in virtually every area of business instruction by field. The only weakness that is shown is that we need to do a better job of integrating computer use across our curriculum. Alumni overwhelmingly stated that computer use is much higher than they expected, at the same time, stating that their level of preparation is only average.

How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
We will focus on integrating computer use across the curriculum more completely. We will establish internal standards that require relevant computer-based assignments in every course. Further, we are working to integrate Quickbooks Pro into our accounting principles sequence. Generally, we do a pretty good job of requiring basic spreadsheet work, as well as word processing and Powerpoint. Increased use of more elaborate strategic modeling and statistical software may be needed, as well as networking and systems. We will continue to evaluate these needs in the market.

The Associate Provost will compile assessment reports for the Provost and for the University's assessment program.

Should the department wish to make any changes in the report for 2000-2001, feel free to write on a paper copy and forward any changes to the Associate Provost's Office by September 10, 2001.

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Last Update: Friday, June 06, 2003