Forensic-Related Careers Or Advanced Graduate Studies
This performance indicator is a measure of post-graduate success with respect to employment in the area of forensic science or the pursuit of research or an advanced graduate degree.
Objective
Postgraduate Success
Upon completion of the MS program, graduates will be employed in the area of forensic science or will pursue advanced graduate studies or research.
KPI
Job Or Advanced Program Placement
The number of MSFS graduates that are successfully employed in forensic careers or pursue advanced degrees or full time research within 12 months of graduation.
Result
Postgraduate Success
The employment status of MSFS graduates is surveyed within twelve months of graduation. In 2013, 93% of 2012 graduates were succesfully employed in forensic science or were pursuing advanced degrees in the discipline.
Action
Postgraduate Success
MSFS graduates enjoy high rates of postgraduate success in terms of employment and research due to the rigorous FEPAC accredited curriculum and extensive hands-on laboratory instruction.
The program must continue to invest in extensive laboratory instruction, despite the growing cost.
Goal
Enhance And Develop Academic Program Quality
Enhance and develop academic program quality and scope by developing and submitting a proposal for a doctoral degree in forensic sciences.
Objective
Doctoral Program Development
Propose, develop and gain support for an interdisciplinary forensic science doctoral program.
KPI
Doctoral Program Proposal
Develop a proposal and gain institutional approval for the PhD in Forensic Science.
Result
PhD In Forensic Science
A PhD proposal was finalized, reviewed and received institutional approval during the spring of 2013. The proposal received a highly favorable rsponse from the Texas Stae University Systems Office and is pending review by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Action
PhD Proposal
The Department will respond to feedback from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board once their review is complete.
Objective
Develop Current, Rigorous Curricula
Maintain a dynamic and rigorous MS curriculum that is responsive to FEPAC accreditation standards, departmental and external assessments (Annual MSFS Curriculum Survey and FSAT performance) and student feedback (MSFS Postgraduate Survey).
Indicator
Current And Rigorous Curricula
Perform an annual quality review of curricula to ensure it meets the program’s mission and accreditation needs.
Criterion
Annual Quality Review
One Quality Review shall be performed and documented annually.
Finding
Annual Quality Review
The Annual Quality Review is performed at the close of each academic year (during the summer). The annual Curriculum Survey is included as part of this review. Faculty discussed student feedback, suggestions and areas of improvement.
Action
Annual Quality Review
The 2012 Annual Quality Review resulted in specific recommendations including the introduction of new courses, decreasing credit hours for some courses, faculty reassignments for certain subject areas, addition of laboratory sections to reduce crowding and the requirement for rigorous reviews of written reports during the capstone research experience.
Goal
Increase Enrollment
To increase enrollment via recruitment and retention of qualified and motivated students.
Objective
Increase Enrollment
To increase enrollment via recruitment and retention of qualified and motivated students.
KPI
Enrollment And Retention
Enrollment numbers and retention rates of students accepted into the Master of Science in Forensic Science annually.
Result
Enrollment And Retention
The department completed a five-year review of enrollment and retention. Enrollment has been steadily increasing. A total of 17 students were accepted into the MS program during the fall of 2012. Student retention has been strong and the program experienced its first ever termination following a period of academic probation this year.
KPI
Graduate Research Assistantships
Resources available to support graduate assistantships and scholarships.
Result
Graduate Research Assistantships
In May 2013, the MSFS graduating class comprised of only seven students. Due to low enrollment during the fall of 2011, student financial support was increased. Increasing the financial awards to students in the form of graduate research assistantships allowed the department to accept seventeen students during the fall of 2012.
Action
Enrollment
The department must continue to offer student assistantships and scholarships in order to remain competitive with other FEPAC-accredited graduate programs.
Goal
Excellence In Teaching, Research And Service
Sustained excellence in teaching, research and service at the department level.
Objective
FES
All faculty will engage in research, teaching, and service.
KPI
Faculty Evaluation System
Faculty are evaluated per University guidelines on research, teaching, and service. Faculty must be actively engaged in sustained efforts that demonstrate effective research (evidenced by publications and supervision of student-directed research), teaching (evidenced by student evaluation scores on IDEA that meet department expectations), and service (evidenced by documented service activities to the department, college, university, and academic community at large). 100% of faculty in the department will meet or exceed the minimum expectations in all three areas.
Result
Faculty Performance
The standardized faculty Evaluation System (FES) matrix utilized by the College of Criminal Justice showed that all faculty performed at or above the minimum expectations in terms of research, teaching and service.
Action
Faculty Evaluation
Specific actions will include:
1. Efforts to distribute student researchers evenly among faculty. This can be achieved by increasing student interaction with under-represented faculty and exposing them to the disciplines of study that are not yet attracting sufficient interest.
2. The College of Criminal Justice FES matrix will be updated in 2013 to address specific performance-related functions associated with FEPAC (Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission) standards.