College of Liberal Arts

Spanish Graduate Programs

PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

Qualitative and Quantitative Information Collected from Portfolios and Exit Interviews

Several years ago we attempted to initiate a portfolio system within our graduate degree programs. It proved to be cumbersome and not as informative as we had expected, so we abandoned it. It is not our practice to conduct exit interviews with graduating seniors, graduate students or departing faculty There simply is not enough time for faculty to do so, given all the administrative duties and committee work that they must perform.

Degree Completion Ratio

Our graduate director reports that approximately 80% of students who begin studies toward an M.A. degree in Spanish complete their objective within four years. About 15% take more than four years, five percent never receive their degree or transfer to another degree program.

Average Time to Completion

Students normally take about five semesters (2.5 years) to complete an M.A. degree. The first four semesters are generally devoted to taking classes (two or three per semester) and passing the four-hour comprehensive exam; the fifth semester is normally devoted to writing and defending the M.A. thesis. At present it is impossible to compile any specific data by which to compile a statistical report. We are, however, in the process of establishing a coordinated information-gathering process to address this issue.

Percent of Graduates Employed in Our Field(s)

We have no demonstrable yield." Many of our students graduating with an M.A. in Spanish move on to doctoral programs at other universities. Others use their cultural and linguistic knowledge in a wide variety of professional areas, primarily in the field of education, but also in the world of business and social services.

Results of Program Assessment; Standardized or Licensing Exams

Standardized or licensing exams do not apply. Our own program assessments in recent years have led to important internal reforms, most notably new graduate curricula and comprehensive exams, revised tenure and promotion criteria, and revised student evaluation forms.

Alumni Satisfaction with the Program

No data is available. One of our immediate goals is to establish a DSIP Newsletter that will serve as a link with our alumni and recent masters degree candidates.

How This Information Has Been Used for Program Improvement

The Department's faculty have always made an effort to keep abreast of scholarly and pedagogical advances in their respective fields, likewise, they have initiated program assessments, almost always without any stimulus, to improve the internal workings of the department and its various programs.