Produce Graduates Capable Of Advanced Financial Analysis
Graduates of the Finance MS program will be capable of providing their employer with advanced financial skills or capable of continuing their education at the doctoral level in Finance.
Objective
Analytical Skills
A graduate of the Finance MS degree will be able to apply advanced financial principles to a variety of business scenarios.
Indicator
Critical Thinking
Finance MS students will take the Texas Assessment of Critical Thinking Skills (TACTS) in a required course.
Criterion
TACTS Scores Exceed Undergraduate Scores
The average of the TACTS scores will be statistically higher than that of the undergraduate students.
Finding
TACTS Assessment
The TACTS instrument was administered to a BAN 568 class and a BAN 363 class in the fall semester of 2008. The results were consistent with previous years where the graduate students scored higher on the average than the undergraduates. Graduates students had an average score of 18.4 correct out of 35, while the undergraduates had an average of 14.4 out of 35.
Action
Analytical Skills Improvements
An item analysis was not possible because a pre-test and post-test were not administered, and student names were not requested. This should be done in the Fall 2009 semester.
Objective
Finance Knowledge
Finance MS graduates will have an advanced understanding of financial principles.
Indicator
Advanced Financial Principles
Students will be able to apply knowledge of Finance in solving complex business problems.
Criterion
MS Finance: Embedded Question Assessment
At least 80% of Finance MS students will score better than 75% on the embedded questions in various 500 level Finance courses.
Finding
MS Finance: Embedded Questions
Students that took the examinations containing the embedded questions achieved an average of 84% correct all units tested. Some quantitative units proved to be more difficult, specifically in the area if risk and return evaluation, for the students and emphasis on instruction is to be adjusted accordingly.
Action
MS Finance: Embedded Question Assessment
Based on scores from the in-depth application and quantitative based questions. An evaluation of time devoted to this area of the course will occur. Adjustments will be made to the focus of the course curriculum. It is expected that an increased focus in this area will yield improvements on student performance.