OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Health MA

Goal
Improve Research Ability
The students will demonstrate competency in research and writing.

Objective
Improved Research Knowledge
MA Health students will demonstrate their skills to critically evaluating research qualities in published research.

Indicator
Student Research Article Presentation Evaluation
This indicator is to assess students ability to critically evaluate a research article and present the information in a professional presentation.

Students are to select one research article in their chosen discipline. The article must be from a peer-reviewed, academic journal. Students will summarize the article in a short paper that addresses each of the key sections of the article (typically: review of relevant literature, method, results, and discussion). Students will then present the article to the class via a formalized research presentation. The presentation will be 12 minutes in length with 3 minutes for questions from the the audience. Student presentation will be built in a PowerPoint. Evaluation consists of professor assessment of student performance on the research presentation key sections as stated above. At least 80% of students will achieve the target score of "acceptable" on this indicator.

Criterion
80% Success Rate
At least 80% of program students will achieve the target score of "acceptable" on the research article review and presentation.

Finding
Success Rate
80% of program students achieved the target score of "acceptable" on the research article review and presentation.

Action
Include More Research Assignments In Program Courses
After a review of the current state of course curriculum, the program faculty have decided that more focus should be placed upon research, writing assignments, and presentation. Faculty view students' learning to analyze and critically evaluate research as important and needed skills by professionals in the field. Therefore, each course will include at least one more mandatory research assignment so that the students will gain more experience in research, critical analysis, formal presentations, and writing assignments.

Goal
Improve Leadership
 Health MA students will graduate for the program with improved skills in leadership.

Objective
Student Leadership
Health MA students will participate in a variety of leadership learning opportunities for personal and professional benefits.


Indicator
Leadership Assessment
Health MA students will be provided with numerous opportunities to practice and improve their professional leadership skills. The Health faculty will develop assignments and projects in the core classes that are required for this degree (HED 531, 532, 574, and 697). The assignments/projects will include: formal class presentations, attending and presenting at professional conferences, serving as a mentor, serving as an instructional coach/tutor, conducting inquiry into the professional practice, member of a professional/student organization, officer in a professional/student organization, develop a professional resume, and perform at least 10 hours of community service.

Criterion
Assessing Leadership Skills
At least 80% of the Health MA students will participate in at least five of the nine leadership assignments/projects prior to graduating from the program and will achieve an "acceptable" rating on each task as assessed by the faculty in the Health Department.

Finding
Leadership Results
Eighty five percent of the Health MA students participated in at least five of the nine leadership assignments/projects prior to graduating from the program and achieved a rating of "acceptable" on all assignments, as assessed by the Health faculty.

Action
Curriculum Adjustment
After a review of the current state of the MA Health curriculum, the program faculty have decided that more focus should be placed upon the development of leadership skills of students in the Health MA program. Each core course will include at least two more leadership skills activities so that students will have an opportunity to further develop, practice, and apply professional leadership skills.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement It was apparent from the findings that not all students in the Health MA program are achieving the expected outcomes. In order to address this short-fall the graduate health faculty have decided to provide the students with more opportunities to practice their research, writing competencies, and leadership skills.

Changes in the curriculum would include increasing the number of required research, writing, and leadership assignments/projects in the graduate curriculum in which various research, writing competencies, and leadership skills could be demonstrated by students and critiqued by the graduate health faculty. All core MA Health courses will include at least two more required activities in each of the skill areas identified above.