1
Planning and Review Committee (PCR)
AY 2013-14 Annual Report to the Faculty Senate and UW System
Results of Program Analysis and Recommendations:
During the 2013-14 academic year, the Planning and Review Committee reviewed the following degree programs and made the listed recommendations.
Program/
Component
Clinical Mental
Health Counseling,
M.S.
Strengths
Concerns
1. Nationally accredited (July 2012) 1. Counseling lab equipment is extremely
Accreditation of Counseling and Related
problematic (PD report, key faculty,
Education Programs (CACREP) - (PD selfstudent and advisory board surveys).
study, key faculty, student and advisory board 2. Some alumni report repetition in course
surveys).
material (PD report, alumni surveys).
2. Steady and increasing enrollment particularly
3.
Need to grow the number of internship
after CACREP accreditation (PD self-study,
sites in order to increase the admission rate
key faculty, student and advisory board
(PD self-study).
surveys).
3. High retention, graduation, and graduate
placement rates (PD self-study, key faculty,
student and advisory board surveys).
4. Applied focus (PD self-study, key faculty,
student and advisory board surveys).
5. Competent and experienced faculty (PD selfstudy).
6. Valued support from Marriage and Family
program, School Counseling program, and
School Psychology Programs especially for
expertise outside of the core faculty (PD selfstudy, key faculty, student and advisory board
surveys).
7. Strong connection between students and
faculty (PD self-study).
8. Strong outreach - nationally via CACREP and
regionally (PD self-study).
9. Strong diversity component (PD self-study).
10. Strong internships (PD self-study).
11. One program license and one concentration
license (PD self-study).
PRC Recommendations
The PRC recommends
continuation of the program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and that
the recommendations made by
the committee are implemented.
2
Program/
Component
Strengths
Concerns
PRC Recommendations
Status Report of
Dietetics, B.S.
1. UW-Stout student scores for the Registered
Dietitian exam are trending upward over the
past several years with the national average
remaining flat.
2. UW-Stout graduates are acquiring internships
at a rate of 70% while the national average of
acceptance is 52%.
3. Small class size, experiential experiences
such as internship, coursework and the
supportive faculty.
4. Increase in student retention and graduation
rates.
5. Student expectations are clearly defined.
6. B.S. Dietetics Program Director and key
faculty.
7. The implementation of a successful student
mentoring program has resulted in students
learning the requirements of the degree and
field experience while gaining leadership and
volunteer opportunities.
The PRC recommends
continuation of the program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and that
the recommendations made by
the committee are implemented.
Family &
Consumer
Sciences
Education, B.S.
1. Strong leadership by program director
(student surveys and advisory committee
report).
2. Healthy enrollment given the size of the
program (program director self-study).
3. Very high placement rate for graduates
(program director self-study, student surveys
and advisory committee report).
4. Experienced and dedicated faculty (in the
program and from other programs) who
continuously update curriculum to meet
industry requirements (program director
self-study and student surveys).
5. Dedicated and engaged students pursuing a
teaching career in touch climate (program
director self-study).
1. Quality of Instruction: some instructors need
improvement on classroom instruction
techniques.
2. According to the accrediting body, UW-Stout
is required to have a program director (PD)
employed as a 1.0 FTE.
3. Nutrition counseling lab still does not exist.
Lab mods were submitted at the time of the
last PRC review in 2004-05, but space was not
allocated. In addition, there is a need for more
lab space, and improvements in the existing
lab spaces.
4. Advising: Due to current PD having a limited
appointment, time to spend advising students
is limited.
5. Course scheduling/planning: A continuing
need for collaborative, cross-department and
cross-college course offerings on a regular
schedule exists.
6. Fulfill open position searches until complete to
allow for adequate service to the Dietetics
program.
1. Curriculum:
• Ongoing need to review courses and update
to meet accreditations standards (program
director self-study).
• Need to develop new courses to increase
flexibility for the students (program director
self-study, student surveys).
2. Lab facilities and equipment:
• Outdated lab facilities, classrooms and
equipment need to be updated (program
director self-study, student surveys,
advisory committee report).
3. Faculty/staff support needs:
• Need to have help in advising students and
to teach at least some of the FCSE courses
(program director self-study).
The PRC recommends
continuation of this program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and that
the recommendations made by
the committee are implemented.
3
Program/
Component
Packaging, B.S.
Strengths
Concerns
6. Strong reputation in state and nation
(program director self-study, student surveys
and advisory committee report).
4. Recruitment of students:
• Need to increase diversity in student
population (program director self-study).
• Need to maintain enrollment in the
program or increase slightly (program
director self-study).
1. Challenges in advisement/registration and
shortages in course offerings: an insufficient
number of classes and/or course sections to
meet increased student enrollment and demand;
subsequent delayed progress-toward-graduation
(student surveys, Meisner self-study, key
faculty A survey).
2. Managing student-instructor ratios and class
sizes (student surveys, key faculty A and B
surveys, program advisory committee survey).
3. Funding for maintaining, upgrading, and/or
procuring lab equipment (student surveys,
Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey, and
program advisory committee survey).
4. Strong and stable leadership of chair and
program directors (student surveys, Meisner
self-study, key faculty A survey, program
advisory committee survey).
5. Attracting and retaining high quality instructors:
need for additional faculty and better trained
teaching faculty (student surveys, Meisner selfstudy, key faculty A and B surveys, program
advisory committee survey).
6. Improved marketing in order to advertise
program uniqueness, compete with other
programs to recruit high-achieving students
(program advisory committee survey).
1. Specialized nature of the degree program: a
unique major with an effective mix of
theoretical and applied learning, varied
concentrations; one of the few programs of
its kind in the nation (student surveys,
Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey,
program advisory committee survey).
2. Strong experiential “hands-on” component
in the curriculum: labs, computer software,
testing equipment, material equipment, etc.
(student surveys, Meisner self-study, key
faculty B survey, program advisory
committee survey).
3. High quality co-op and internship programs
thanks to close ties to and support from
industry partners (student surveys, Meisner
self-study, key faculty B survey, program
advisory survey).
4. Addition of medical device packing to the
curriculum (student surveys, program
advisory committee survey).
5. Knowledgeable faculty/staff (student
surveys).
6. Growing enrollment and steady retention
(Meisner self-study).
7. Attention to diversity and increased
enrollment/retention of female students
(25% of students in major) and graduates
(60% of engineering graduates) (Meisner
self-study, key faculty A survey).
8. High job placement rates of graduates and
competitive starting salaries (student
PRC Recommendations
The PRC recommends
continuation of this program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and the
recommendations made by the
committee are implemented.
4
Program/
Component
Strengths
9.
Studio Art, B.F.A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Technical &
Professional
Communication,
M.S.
1.
2.
surveys, Meisner self-study, and program
advisory committee survey).
Continuous efforts to keep pace with
industry demands and alter course offerings
based on industry trends; strong industry
partnerships and guidance (student surveys,
Meisner self-study, key faculty A survey,
and program advisory committee survey).
Knowledgeable and supportive faculty
committed to teaching and research (PD selfstudy, student survey, instructor survey).
Evidence of student and alumni achievement
through exhibitions, publications, and
acceptance to graduate school (advisory
committee survey, PD self-study).
Program provides strong foundation in core
areas of the field (PD self-study, advisory
committee survey).
Studio Art program is well-integrated with
other courses and majors (PD self-study).
Campus gallery available to showcase
students’ work (PD self-study, student
survey, instructor survey).
Collegial faculty that collaborates effectively
with other departments (advisory committee
survey, instructor survey).
Flexible, online learning: Online programs
in technical and professional communication
(TPC) are fairly scarce, and the UW-Stout
program is designed for online delivery,
reaching place-bound, working adults (PD
self-study; student survey).
Polytechnic curriculum: The program course
array goes beyond writing. It has an edge in
the more polytechnic aspects of technical
communication such as information design
and user-centered design. It also approaches
Concerns
PRC Recommendations
1. Need for improved facilities due to outdated
labs and inadequate space (PD self-study,
student surveys).
2. Funding issues affect program’s ability to meet
ongoing needs for basic supplies and equipment
(PD self-study, student survey, instructor
survey).
3. Limited student access to studio space needed
to complete projects outside of class (PD selfstudy, student surveys).
4. Need for more student opportunities to gain
experience in the field (student survey).
5. Class sizes are too large for available space and
restrict instructors’ ability to provide feedback
(PD self-study).
The PRC recommends
continuation of the program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and that
the recommendations made by
the committee are implemented.
1. Recruitment. Continue to recruit quality
students from beyond Wisconsin and the U.S. to
diversify the student body and capitalize on the
asynchronous online instruction and
competitive tuition rate. An excellent method
for reaching national and international
prospective student is by continuing to take
advantage of recruitment opportunities afforded
through the Society for Technical
Communication (STC). The program director
exhibits annually at the STC national
The PRC recommends
continuation of the program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and that
the recommendations made by
the committee are implemented.
5
Program/
Component
Strengths
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
emerging technologies through a cultural
lens, giving students a well-rounded and
practical education (PD self-study).
Engaged program faculty: Program faculty
in the MSTPC meet weekly to discuss
student progress, curriculum, recruitment,
assessment, and other program initiatives.
The program and its success would not be
possible without their high level of
engagement (PD self-study, advisory
committee, faculty surveys, student survey).
Industry competencies: The program’s
curriculum is characterized by several areas
of focus that are critical for technical
communicators, including multilingual and
transnational technical communication;
project management; user experience and
user design; communicating through
emerging media; and oral and interpersonal
communication. The type and breadth of
these areas are unlike any regional master’s
program and unlike many across the country
(PD self-study).
Affordability: The $525/credit hour tuition
(2013/14) is a flat rate, regardless of
residency. Of the 12 peer institution TPC
programs surveyed, nine listed graduate
tuition rates higher than UW-Stout, most
were double the per-credit rate (PD selfstudy).
The program is responsive to the needs of
industry: courses continually adapt to
incorporate the latest technology and address
the needs of industry and society (multiple
advisory committee members’ comments).
Flexible and cutting edge curriculum: cutting
edge, forward thinking courses, and
flexibility of instruction. Through its
Concerns
conference, attracting at least one student who
has enrolled in the program each year (PD selfstudy; key faculty A survey).
Independent Research. Improve the quality of
students’ independent research (IR) experience
by increasing the percentage of students who
successfully complete their IR within the
standard timeframe (one semester for 735, two
semesters for 770) and more clearly articulate
the role of the students’ IR as it relates to
academic and professional workplace
experiences/goals (PD self-study).
PRC Recommendations
6
Program/
Component
Training & Human
Resource
Development, M.S.
Vocational
Rehabilitation,
M.S. (on-campus
and on-line)
Strengths
innovative curriculum, the program offers
both foundational and cutting edge
coursework in a format that is easily
accessible to working professionals
(advisory committee).
8. Excellent program leadership: The program
director offers strong and comprehensive
support to students. She is always
accessible. Julie Watts is a major strength
(advisory committee, faculty surveys,
student survey).
1. A curriculum that is focused on applied
learning and research (PD self-study, student
surveys, faculty surveys, program advisory
committee surveys).
2. Flexibility in program delivery, reaching
students beyond the Stout campus (PD selfstudy, student surveys, faculty surveys,
program advisory committee surveys).
3. A rigorous curriculum that surpasses
industry guidelines (PD self-study, student
surveys, faculty surveys, program advisory
committee surveys).
4. A committed program director and advisory
board (faculty surveys, program advisory
committee surveys).
1. Strong site-based supervised
experiential/applied learning opportunities
(PD self-study, key faculty B and program
advisory committee surveys).
2. Ranked in top 10 rehabilitation counseling
programs in the USA (PD self-study).
3. Accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation
Education (PD self-study).
4. Strong graduation and retention rates (PD
self-study and program facts).
Concerns
PRC Recommendations
1. As the program initiates its online program,
there may be a shortage of qualified faculty to
deliver both on-campus and online courses (PD
self-study, student surveys, faculty surveys).
2. Faculty face challenges in accessing resources
to assist them in instructional design and
delivery for both on site and online classes (PD
self-study, student surveys, and program
advisory committee surveys).
3. Reoccurring shortages of faculty advisers for
student theses (PD self-study, student surveys,
faculty surveys).
4. Absence of certificate options in the areas of
training, organization development and talent
development/human resource development (PD
self-study).
The PRC recommends
continuation of the program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and
that the recommendations
made by the committee are
implemented.
1. Ongoing issues with outdated lab equipment
and furnishings that do not reflect ergonomic
principles promoted by the curriculum and
professional rehabilitation best practices (PD
self-study, key faculty, student and alumni
surveys).
2. Need for ongoing instructional design
assistance and faculty training for online
delivery of the curriculum, online students’
desire to have more personal
The PRC recommends
continuation of the program
through the next scheduled
review in 2020-2021 and
that the recommendations
made by the committee are
implemented.
7
Program/
Component
Strengths
5. Student involvement in scholarly activities
(PD self-study).
6. Excellent faculty and reputation of strong
program leadership (PD self-study, key
faculty and advisory committee surveys.
Concerns
connection/engagement with faculty (PD selfstudy, key faculty, and student and alumni
surveys).
3. Two FTE that is unavailable to teach, due to
long-term administrative secondment, medical
leave or grant release time (PD self-study).
4. Fluctuating enrollment (program facts).
5. Some requests to expand the curriculum to
include topics beyond the CORE standards (PD
self-study, key faculty B, student and alumni
surveys).
Additional Committee Actions:
The committee recommended to the Faculty Senate the following Notice of Intent proposals:
•
•
•
•
•
B.S. in Chemical Engineering
B.S. in Electrical Engineering
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
B.S. in Web Technology
B.F.A. in Game Design & Development-Art
The committee also received the following Authorization to Implement proposal:
• B.S. in Criminal Justice & Rehabilitation
M.S. Technical & Professional Communication – UW System Joint Review will be due Summer, 2014
PRC Recommendations