The MBA program is designed to develop candidates for positions of leadership in modern organizations.
Objective
Analytical Skills
A graduate of the MBA program will have the analytical skills necessary to function in the current business environment.
Indicator
Quantitative Skills
Students will have an understanding of financial, statistical and other quantitative techniques used in business decision making.
Criterion
Performance On Embedded Quantitative Questions In FIN 531
Embedded questions on the final exams in FIN 531 (a course taken by all MBA students) will be used to assess the ability of MBA students to apply quantitative skills. MBA students should average 85% correct responses on these questions.
Finding
FIN 531 -- Fall 2010 Results
There were two sections of FIN 531 taught during the semester with a total of fifty-six (56) students completing the assessment process. Assessment consisted of a series of multiple choice questions embedded within the exams given throughout the semester. Overall performance on the embedded questions was 71.04% (a score of 16.34 correct out of 23 possible).
Indicator
Students Should Have The Skills Necessary To Organize, Process, And Interpret Data
Students will be able to organize, process and interpret data to provide options for decision-making.
Criterion
85% Of BAN 568 Students Will Score Higher Than 85% On Semester Project
Students taking BAN 568 during the Spring 2009 complete semester long projects which involve the gathering of data, organizing/processing the data to be used in modeling, and interpreting the statistical results. 85% of the students should demonstrate their mastery of these skills by earning at least 85% of the points for this project. (See attached rubric.)
Finding
BAN 568 Spring 2011 Project Results
The fall 2010 BA568 students were assigned a project that involved gathering data, processing data, and interpreting statistical results.
76% of the students scored 85% or better on their projects
Action
Need For Common Rubric
Not all of the BAN 568 sections used the same rubric to evaluate projects. A common rubric needs to be developed.
Objective
MBA Students Should Excel In Their Knowledge Of Management Fundamentals
MBA students should demonstrate a solid understanding of modern business management fundamentals.
Indicator
Marketing Management Exams (Pre-Test/ Post-Test Analysis) And Marketing Plan (Graded By Rubric)
Assessment of decision making knowledge will be made using pre-test and post-test performance on exams evaluating their knowledge of Marketing Management issues. Pre-test exam questions are administered on the first class day and the post-test questions are administered on the last class day. A Marketing Plan for a Small Business will be completed during the semester. A grading rubric will be used to assess their application of marketing management principles to the marketing plan.
Criterion
Improvement In Exam Scores (Pre-Test Vs. Post-Test) And Class Average Grade On Post-Test Exam. Marketing Plan Grades (Graded By Rubric)
Students will average at least a 50% improvement in post-test scores as compared to pre-test scores. The class average on post-test exam questions will be at least 75%. Regarding the Marketing Plan, students will receive at least a 75% grade based on the marketing plan rubric that guides evaluation of the written plan and student presentation to the sponsoring business.
Finding
Marketing Management Findings
The criteria for assessment were achieved. Eleven exam questions were used for pre-test and post-test comparison. The average performance score on the pre-test was 64.4%%, whereas the average on the post-tests was 97.5%. This exceeds the target performance level of 75% on the post-test and reflects a 51.6% improvement. All students received a grade of 75%, or above, on the Marketing Plan.
Areas included on the exams where there was less than a 50% improvement were identified, such as topics including forecasting, consumer behavior, marketing in the new economy, etc. These areas of the course have been earmarked for increased attention during future sessions.
Indicator
IDEA Score
Question 22 of the IDEA student evaluation form asks students to rank on a scale of 1-5 how well the course helped the student learn the fundamental principles, generalizations and theories of the discipline. A score of 1 is the lowest score, and 5 is the highest. Question 23 asks the student to rank on the same scale how well the course helped them to apply course material "to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions."
Criterion
IDEA Score
MGT 567 is the capstone course for the MBA. All MBA students must take this course, that encompasses the key skills sets required of all MBA students. While the ideal goal is to achieve an average score of 5 on question 22 which concerns mastery of the material, a more realistic yet still ambitious criterion is a target of 4.75.
Finding
MGT 567 -- Fall 2010 -- IDEA Scores For Questions 22 & 23
The average score for question 22 was 3.7 and the average score for question 23 was 4.1. Both are below the target score of 4.75. On question 22, 55% of the students reported making substantial or exceptional progress. On question 23, 91% of the students reported making substantial or exceptional progress.
Action
Need For Additional Direct Measures Of Management Skill Levels.
We have typically taken data from MGT 567 and MKT 570 to assess this objective. Additional metrics need to be developed.