The CHSS will develop academic programs and constantly review existing programs to ensure excellence in this important mission of the college.
Objective
Periodic Graduate Program Review
The CHSS will complete a thorough program review of each of its graduate programs before August 2019.
KPI
Graduate Program Review Process
The College will complete program reviews of all its graduate programs according to the following schedule:
Review Year Program 2012-13 History MA 2013-14 School Psychology SSP 2015-16 Political Science MA 2015-16 Public Admin MA 2015-16 Communication Studies MA 2016-17 Sociology MA 2016-17 Spanish MA 2017-18 Dietetics MA 2017-18 Family & Consumer Sciences MA 2018-19 English MA 2018-19 Clinical Psychology MA 2018-19 Clinical Psychology PhD
Scheduled completion of the PSYC MA SSP review before closure of the 2013-2014 reporting cycle will indicate timely initiation of this process. All departments will fulfill the process by submitting thorough program self-studies conducted according to a rubric provided by the Office of Graduate Studies. Each department will then host on-campus visitors from peer institutions/programs to review the reports and to make further recommendations. Departments will conclude the process by submitting responses to visitors' reports and any additional program planning inspired by the overall program review.
Result
SSP Graduate Program Performance Review
The PSYC MA/SSP program completed a full cycle of reporting, visitation, and response to the visitor report. In June of 2014, the SHSU Office of Graduate Programs confirmed successful completion of the review process. Relevant documents are attached above to the Graduate Program Review Process KPI.
Action
2014-2015 Graduate Program Reviews
According to the reporting schedule issued by the Office of Graduate Programs, CHSS does not have a program review scheduled for completion in 2015. POLS MA and MPA,and COMS MA will begin program reviews in the fall of 2015, scheduled for completion in 2016.
Objective
Increase Student Enrollments
The CHSS will increase both undergraduate and graduate student enrollments by specified amounts each year.
KPI
Increase Enrollments In Graduate Programs
Increase enrollments in graduate programs by 10%.
Result
Graduate Enrollment Progress
In 2012-2013, CHSS recorded 897 graduate student enrollments for 5961 student credit hours. In 2013-14, CHSS recorded 1053 graduate student enrollments for 6534 student credit hours. These figures represented an 17% increase in student enrollments and a 10% increase in total graduate student credit hours.
The enrollment breakdown by departments/program appears in the attached spreadsheet document.
KPI
Increase Undergraduate Enrollments
Increase undergraduate majors in programs of college by 2%
Result
Undergraduate Enrollment Performance
In 2012-2013, CHSS recorded 4395 undergraduate-major student enrollments for a total of 113469 student credit hours. In 2013-2014, CHSS recorded 4447 undergraduate-major enrollements for a total of 117,662 student credit hours. These changes indicated a 1.1% increase in majors with an 4% increase in student credit hours.
The enrollment breakdown by departments/program appears in the attached spreadsheet document.
Action
Undergraduate Enrollment V. Undergraduate Majors
While CHSS undergraduate enrollment has kept pace with overall university growth, numbers of majors in CHSS programs have not. Specifically, ENGL, FOLG, and HIST have stalled or even declined. In response, the college will begin to apply support for faculty teaching development and a review of undergraduate experience in the various programs.
Objective
Enhance Graduate Student Entering Credentials
The CHSS will increase the quality of credentials of incoming graduate students.
KPI
Increase GRE Scores Of Incoming Graduate Students
Increase GRE scores of incoming graduate students in departments with underachieving admissions criteria. During this academic year, average GRE scores of incoming graduate students in the departments of COM, SOC and FOL will increase by 2%.
Result
Incoming Graduate Student GRE Scores
In the intervening reporting period, the GRE scores received by CHSS have become uniformly reported in the new scoring system. An additional difficulty is that the grading scales for the two main sections of the test are no longer parallel. These facts make a direct year-to-year comparison with 2012-2013 scores problematic. Here, CHSS will report the new averages (combined verbal and analytical), and begin the process of developing a multi-year data set.
As part of rebuilding the data track on GRE admissions standards, the CHSS will monitor departmental practice of GRE waiver. It must be noted that in each program, admissions policies do cite instances for GRE waiver. The intent here is to track the overall rate of such waivers with a view to identifying any trends needing further investigation.
DEPT: Fall Waiver Rate/Spring Waiver Rate
COMS: 20%/100% (1 admission Spring 2014) Creative Writing MFA: 0%/0% ENGL MA: 25%/0% SPAN MA: Not Required HIST MA: 14%/33% POLS MA: 25%/33% POLS MPA: 58%/60% PSYC MA: 0%/No Spring Admission PSYC SSP: 0%/No Spring Admission Clinical PSYC MA: 0%/No Spring Admission Clincical PSYC PhD: 0%/No Spring Admission SOCI MA: 43%/50%
Of the reporting programs, the POLS MPA is an exception because it serves mid-career active professionals for whom work experience is grounds for the GRE waiver.
KPI
Incoming Graduate Student GPA
Graduate programs across CHSS will demonstrate a total average incoming graduate student GPA increase of 2%.
Result
Incoming Graduate Student GPA Performance
Average Incoming Graduate Student GPA
DEPT: Fall 2012/Spring 2013 :: Fall 2013/Spring 2014
DEPT: Percent Change Fall to Fall/Spring to Spring
COMS MA: 11%/24% Creative Writing MFA: 10%/-4% ENGL MA: 10%/-5% SPAN MA: 6%/16% HIST MA: -3%/4% POLS MA: 4%/19% POLS MPA: -2%/-1% PSYC MA: -5% (admits annual fall class only) PSYC SSP: 0% (admits annual fall class only) Clinical PSYC MA: -7% (admits annual fall class only) Clinical PSYC PhD: -3% SOCI MA: -1%/3%
Action
GRE Waiver Rates
The key findings from the various graduate admissions metrics focus on high GRE waiver rates in some programs. Two solutions propose themselves: one bookeeping and one qualitative.
For bookeeping, it is true that some programs such as SOCI MA and POLS MPA attract mid-career professionals not seeking subsequent degree work. In these instances, getting departments to define levels of work experience acceptable as alternatives to presentation of GRE scores at application, would clarify the true extent of the waiver issue;
Qualitatively, the notable waiver rates in other programs indicate a likely review of provisional and conditional admissions for the purposes of increasing the overall demonstrated quality of incoming graduate students.
Objective
Promote Centers Of Academic Excellence
The CHSS will develop centers for focused scholarly activity within the departments
KPI
Centers Of Scholarly Excellence
Each department will present to the dean of the college at least one area of focused scholarly excellence for that department. The college will support the establishment of at least two interdisciplinary research centers recommended by CHSS faculty.
Result
Centers Of Scholarly Excellence Development/Performance
Over the academic year 2013-2014, the CHSS proceeded with significant development of one center of academic excellence: the Center for Disaster and Emergency Management. A copy of the proposal is attached. Completed steps are as follow:
CHSS Dean’s office met with POLS representatives to discuss guidelines and ideas for a proposal;
POLS drafted a proposal;
CHSS Associate Deans reviewed proposal and made suggestions for additions and changes, and held a meeting to discuss;
POLS revised incorporating new data and budget information;
CHSS Associate Deans reviewed proposal and submitted to Dean for review;
Preparation to submit proposal to Academic Affairs/Office of the Provost and for review by the Council of Academic Deans.
Action
Progress On The CDEM
Efforts on behalf of the CDEM have been successful. The logical next action step is to assist the center's inauguration of operations.
Goal
Faculty Research Development
The CHSS will identify and promote best practices for faculty research development.
Objective
Faculty Research Publications
The CHSS will increase the number of faculty involved in peer-reviewed publications.
KPI
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Universities must produce new knowledge and understanding. The college will collect data on the number of peer-reviewed publications and compare this with the previous year. Because these are peer-reviewed publications, the quality of the research also is measured. The college will increase the per capita number of peer-reviewed publications by 2%.
Result
Faculty Publication Performance
During 2013 CHSS average 1.32 articles per faculty member. In 2013, per capita book production was .12, while book chapter production was .15. During 2012 CHSS averaged .60 journal articles per faculty. Book production in 2012 was .09 and book chapter production was .03.
Action
Faculty Publication Support
Efforts to promote faculty research publication have been successful. The college will maintain current travel, leave, and research support structures.
Objective
Faculty Conference Participation
The CHSS will increase faculty activity at scholarly conferences.
KPI
Faculty Presentations At Scholarly Conferences
Universities must not only produce new knowledge, but they must also disseminate this knowledge. Conference presentations are one method of disseminating knowledge. The college will collect data on the number of presentations at professional, peer-reviewed conferences and compare this with the previous year. Because these are peer-reviewed presentations, the quality of the research is also measured. The College will increase by 2% the number of per capita professional conference presentations by faculty in the college.
Result
Conference Presentation Performance
In 2013, the college faculty of 117 made 329 conference publications for a per capita average of 2.81, a decrease from the 3.0 average in 2012 but higher than the 2.71 in 2011 and 2.52 in 2010.
Action
Faculty Conference Presentation Support
CHSS did not demonstrate growth in this metric. The result appears however to be in line with a four-year positive trend. The college will maintain current faculty conference participation support infrastructure and monitor performance.
Objective
Faculty Grant Activity
The CHSS will increase the number of grants submitted by college faculty and funded.
KPI
Increased Grant Submissions And Grant Funding
One measure of the productivity of faculty is the number of outside grants funded. Outside funding shows that the research of the faculty is of high quality. The amount of funding varies by the discipline as do the funding opportunities. The College will collect data on the number and amounts of outside funding received by our faculty, as well as the number of grants submitted. These numbers will be compared to last year's numbers. The College will increase by 2% the per capita number of grants externally submitted and the percentage of submitted external grants that are funded. Measurements of per capita grant activity and grant success rates also will be analyzed.
Result
Faculty Grant Activity Results
Over 2013, 117 CHSS faculty submitted a total of 55 grant applications (26 internal and 29 external for a per capita submission rate of .47 (.22 internal only and .25 external only). Of these submissions, 27 (15 internal and 12 external) were funded for a per capita success rate of .23 (.13 internal only and .10 external only). The submission success rate was 57%. In calendar year 2012, 117 CHSS faculty members submitted 42 grants, of which 25 were funded. The per capita submission rate for this year was .36 while the success rate was 60%. The 2011 submission rate was .28 with success of 58%. The 2010 submission rate was.33 with a success of 51%.
Action
Faculty Grant Activity Support
Efforts to promote faculty grant applications have been successful. The college will maintain current research support structures.
Goal
Student Research Development
The CHSS will promote the whole experience of students taking courses in the college: classroom activities, research opportunities, and presentation opportunities. The college will also monitor student graduation outcomes.
Objective
Student Research Objectives
The CHSS will increase the quality and quantity of both undergraduate and graduate student research publication activities.
KPI
Number Of Students Presenting And Publishing
As research and scholarly activity increases with faculty, the college would like to see more students involved in the research process. The process of creating knowledge is essential to each discipline, and exposing students to this process provides quality instruction. The College will collect data concerning the number of peer-reviewed presentations and publications by undergraduate students and by graduate students and compare this to last year's data. The College will increase by 2% the number of undergraduate student and graduate students who are involved in research that result in publication or presentation at professional conferences.
Result
Student Presentation And Publication Performance
In 2013-2014 52 undergraduate students presented papers and 7 published for a total of 59 undergraduate research activities. In 2012-2013, 64 undergraduate students presented papers, while 15 published for a total of 79 undergraduate research activities. The totals were 75 for 2010 and 81 for 2011-2012.
In 2013-2014 93 graduate students presented papers and 52 published for a total of 145 research activities. In 2012-2013, 107 graduate students presented papers while 42 published for a total of 149 graduate student research activities. The totals were 89 in 2010 and 119 in 2011-2012. Graduate student research activities increased 25% over 2011 and by 39% in the last two years.
Action
Student Research Participation Support
Efforts to ehance student scholarly research activities were not successful. This result is of particular importance to the question of promoting majors among the college programs. The dean of CHSS will convene the chairs to ascertain the exact reasons for the decline, and to discuss qualitative issues as well.