2000 - 2001 Planning and Review Committee
Consultant Report
I.
II.
Program Reviewed:
B.S. in Telecommunication Systems
Program Director:
John Burningham (Interim Director)
PRC Consultants:
Janet Polansky and Danny Bee
Date of Review:
March 23, 2001
Purpose of Review:
The purpose of the review is to assess the quality of the B.S. in
Telecommunication Systems as part of a seven-year review cycle
required of all degree programs at UW-Stout.
Committee Findings: The committee found strengths and issues of concern about program
identity, growth, resources, and assessment in the major. Status reports
need to be submitted to PRC in Spring 2002 and Spring 2003 which
address, in detail, the concerns expressed in the recommendation section
of this report.
Abstract
The Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication Systems was introduced to UW-Stout in the fall
of 1996. Prior to 1996, Telecommunication Systems was a concentration within the Industrial
Technology program. This degree prepares students for a career as technical experts and
managers of telecommunications, or the electronic/optical communication of information. The
program builds on Stout's national reputation of developing professionals in a distinctive array of
programs. This review is the first for this program.
The program requires 124 credits for graduation, of which 42 are approved general education
credits and the remaining 82 are deemed professional requirements. Professional requirements
are categorized in three areas: management (24 credits), technical (46 credits), and elective (12
credits). Coursework utilizes current hands-on learning in the still developing
telecommunications lab and is heavily tied into professional certification in several areas.
Students, as part of their program of study, must pass professional certification examinations
leading to the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), the Cisco Certified Design Associate
(CCDA), and either the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), the Cisco Certified
Design Professional (CCDP), or the Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE). These
certifications are industry recognized and were added in during the recent program revision,
approved at the February 2001 Curriculum and Instruction Committee. There are presently 226
majors enrolled in this program (fall 2000).
The program is accredited by the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT). The
accreditation is as a general program, not as a specific telecommunication systems program since
NAIT does not yet have specific telecommunication system criteria.
Graduates of the program experienced a 100% employment placement, with a salary range of
$25,000 - $81,000, average of $50,000. Telecommunication System experts are in high demand,
and the program could grow, provided enough resources exist to do so. In addition, the program
faculty instruct high school and technical school staff in the Cisco Certification curriculum. This
creates a large feeder network of prepared telecommunication students, further pushing for a
growing enrollment in the program.
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III.
Process Followed for Current Review:
In the fall of 2000 key instructors, students, and the program advisory committee survey results
were obtained and provided to the PRC consultants. The interim program director has discussed
the report with the PRC consultants. An initial self-study report was made available to the
consultants on February 23, 2001. Consultant concerns with the program resulted in a delay of
the initial PRC presentation and a resubmission of the self-study report on March 13, 2001. The
final self-study report was made available to the PRC committee before the March 23, 2001
presentation to that committee.
IV.
Previous Review
This is the first review of the program.
V.
Current Program Review
Program Strengths
Data from the surveys, program self-study report and discussions with the program director
support the following conclusions:
1. The program is felt to be on the leading edge of a rapidly changing professional field, offering
technical depth in telecommunication systems and in managerial emphasis.
2. Fit between the program and industry demands is good. Students are receiving exceptional job
offers directly out of this program. In addition students with excellent experience are often
enticed by industry prior to the completion of the degree. Graduates have experienced 100%
placement with strong demand beyond the number of graduates of the program
3. Most faculty have current industry experience.
4. Support from industry is evident in the development of the Telecommunications Lab in 213
Fryklund Hall.
5. The new Telecommunication Systems Lab provides access for students to develop, apply and
research contemporary strategies involving, voice, data, and video technologies.
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Issues of Concern
Issue
Source
1. Program perceived to be Cisco certification program,
not Telecommunication Systems program.
2. Lab activities are not available for students. In
addition, there seems to be a student perception that lab
instruction is not of the quality it should be.
3. Lack of understanding of mission/vision of the
program. Students do not understand new curriculum
and telecommunications faculty do not agree on
direction of program.
4. Program size may be larger than the
telecommunications faculty staff can handle.
5. Additional equipment is needed to support program.
6. Lack of a capital equipment plan for the
Telecommunication Systems Lab.
7. Classroom course scheduling problems exist.
8. Structured lab activities not developed in some areas
due to lack of lab equipment.
Student surveys
Student surveys
Key Instructor Surveys, Student
Surveys
Program Self-Study Report
Student Surveys, Program SelfStudy Report
Program Self-Study Report
Program Self-Study Report
Program Self-Study Report,
Student Surveys
Committee Recommendations
1. In the Spring of 2002, the program director and dean need to provide a status report that
addresses the following:
a. concerns noted about program size and staffing;
b. include a detailed plan for managing enrollment growth in a way that enhances quality
without sacrificing access.;
c. program should demonstrate that it has a plan and has begun collecting data for
assessment in the major; and
d. university needs a campus-wide examination of program growth and enrollment issues.
2. In the Spring of 2003, the program director and dean need to provide a status report that
addresses the following:
a. concerns noted about lab equipment and activities; and
b. concerns about program mission and identity.
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