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Institutional Research & Assessment

Southern Utah University
Business Education/Computer Information Systems Department
Academic Outcomes Assessment Plan
Academic Year 2001-2002

Mission Statement:

The BE/CIS department supports the University Mission Statement by providing students with a personalized learning environment and encouraging superior teaching by the faculty. The role of the department is to afford students the opportunity for professional education and training in three distinct areas: business teacher education, computer information systems, and business applied technology.
Baccalaureate composite degrees are offered in Business Education (teaching) and Computer Information Systems (nonteaching). Business Education (BUED) emphases include Administrative Support, Marketing/Basic Business and Microcomputer Systems. Computer Information Systems (CIS) emphases include Administrative Support, CIS–Applications, and CIS–Networking. Minors are offered in both Business Education and Computer Information Systems.
Associate of applied science degrees are offered in CIS–Applications, CIS–Networking, Office Management, Paralegal, Secretarial Technology, and Small Business Management.
One-year certificates are offered in the areas of Clerical Technology and Medial Secretary (a STIT program).
Faculty members strive to provide superior teaching through continued professional development by maintaining membership in appropriate professional organizations, attending regional and national conferences, receiving counsel from our advisory committee, updating knowledge and skills. Faculty members also present workshops to faculty and staff members at SUU and other schools and businesses.

Goals Statement:

As indicated in the mission statement, the department's goal is to prepare individuals for careers in teaching business education and/or a variety of careers in the business world or entrance into graduate school in business education and/or information systems.
The curriculum of the BE/CIS department consists of a combination of theories, methodologies, applications, and hands-on laboratory experiences designed to develop individual skills. The intent of the courses offered is to produce a well-rounded graduate who is knowledgeable with the material in the BE/CIS field and who can proficiently apply his/her knowledge.
The primary goal of the BE/CIS department is to provide a high-quality undergraduate education to students and meaningful service to the communities served by the university. The department offers teacher licensure for the public schools of Utah training students in the areas of administrative support, marketing/basic business, and microcomputers.

Intended Outcomes:

1) Students will be prepared for meaningful employment after graduation.

2) Students will be prepared for post-baccalaureate opportunities.

3) Students will demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of their particular discipline; i.e., teacher education, CIS applications or networking, administrative support, secretarial technology, office management, paralegal, small business management, or clerical technology.

4) Students will recognize and be satisfied with the learning opportunities afforded them by the department. Students will know the options for, and be prepared for, post-baccalaureate opportunities.

Assessment Criteria and Activities:

1) BE/CIS students will pass each of their courses with a minimum grade of C, as assessed by testing measures within each course. BE/CIS courses will include activities that will enable students to demonstrate a reasonable level of proficiency in the skills they have learned.

2) BE/CIS students will be involved in completing secondary research and summarizing their findings in ten of the courses in which they may take in the department; many of these courses they will also be required to make oral presentations about their findings.

3) Networking students will achieve certification in at least the CNA and one other certification such as A+, Cisco, and encouraged to complete the CNE.

4) Applications students will achieve certification in at least one software program such as Excel, Access, MOUS, etc.

5) Business Education students will achieve licensure to teach in the public schools of Utah.

6) At least 75 percent of the graduating seniors will agree with the statement: "The quality, availability, and diversity of course offerings and production opportunities were appropriate."

7) At least 75 percent of the graduating seniors will agree with the statement: "I believe that my program has well prepared me for post-baccalaureate plans."

Implementation:

1) The minimum requirement for a C- grade and a minimum GPA of 2.5 have been placed on all advisement worksheets, the university catalog and is reiterated in personal advisement sessions with the students. The requirement will be reviewed again when the students' papers are evaluated for graduation.

2) Assessment will be through a survey administered to all graduating students by the department advisors at the time of graduation application review.

3) A final assessment survey will be administered to all graduating students during the last week of classes of the students' final semester.

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Last Update: Friday, June 06, 2003