Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
Program reviewed:
Massage Therapy
Date of site visit:
May 5-6, 2010
QCC Steering Committee:
Dr. Lisa Mertz, Program Coordinator & Associate Professor
Dr. Virginia Cowen, Associate Professor
Dr. Isabella Lizzul, Assistant Professor
Administrative Support:
Ms. Anna May Jagoda, Director, Institutional Research
External Reviewer:
Mr. Matthew Kenny
Program Coordinator, Massage Therapy
Chair, Division of Science and Math
Columbia-Greene Community College
Report to Be Presented to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
1. Corrections to documentation
The following corrections are to the academic program review:
In the Acknowledgements, Ms. Isabella Lizzul should appear as Dr. Isabella Lizzul.
In the Introduction, under B (Queensborough Community College), page 2, the Holocaust
Resource Center and Archives is described as “under construction.” This is incorrect; the
reconstruction of the center had already been completed by the time of the program
review.
In Appendix 1: Curricula Vitae, on page 75, “EDICAL SPORTS” should read,
“MEDICAL SPORTS.”
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
2. Major conclusions of the academic program review
According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook
Handbook for 2008-2009 (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm#outlook), demand for
massage therapy continues to grow among older age groups while demand for massage
therapy continues to be greatest among young adults who will most likely continue to
receive massage throughout their lives.
Over the next five years, the program’s plans include:
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Developing more extensive career guidance to alumni/ae, beginning prior to the
final semester course, HA-205 Professional Issues, and working with the Office
of Career Services
Offering focused electives that meet demands of the workplace and making a
concerted effort to market and promote these electives
Revising the curriculum to offer a more medically-based (i.e., outcomes-based)
advanced curriculum to strengthen student preparation for licensure and the job
market
In consultation with the Department of Biological Sciences and Geology and the
Health-related Sciences Academy leadership team, considering a science
placement examination that would allow students to take a remedial science
course prior to BI 301
Completing revisions to all syllabuses to make them consistent with the College’s
general education and curricular objectives
Improving facilities, including addressing problems of overly cold air
conditioning in MC-24
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
3. Major conclusions of the external reviewer
Program strengths
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Compassionate and informed leadership – both the president and provost
demonstrated a thorough understanding of the Massage Therapy program.
Thriving academic support within the program as well as with tutoring and the
writing center
Committed faculty
Licensing success rate
Exceptional, articulate, and welcoming students
Program weaknesses – clinic and laboratory space
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Calming paint colors
De-humidifier
Enlarged curtained bays to allow students to apply body mechanics
Replacing existing curtains with floor-to-ceiling curtains allowing for privacy
during Shiatsu sessions
Classroom space – cleanliness is vital to student wellness
Course continuity – define the scope of techniques and list some departmental
goals; more programmatic structure, including adjunct buy-in
Exploring the option of three-hour lecture and three-hour laboratory courses
Curricular Changes - More Outcomes-Based Curriculum - Standardized Exams
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More medically-based model welcome, based on student feedback
Focus on adjunct buy-in to courses for which there are multiple sections of
cornerstone, milestone, and capstone courses (HA 100, HA 220, HA 204)
HA 204 as a capstone course with a standardized practical, allowing another
opportunity to assess the therapeutic relationship
Suggestions
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Consider a self-created student survey that will ask for feedback on student
learning experiences (perhaps an exit survey incorporated into a class).
Consider a community awareness campaign (the students expressed “being lost”
in the campus community; an increased Web presence featuring on outstanding
graduate).
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
Recommendations
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Create “brain-storming” opportunities to increase the pass-rate with Anatomy &
Physiology courses.
Establish a science “placement” examination.
Strengthen partnership with the learning centers, creating tutoring groups geared
toward the kinesthetic learner.
Conclusion
To showcase and support a non-traditional program in a traditional setting is no easy task.
CUNY’s willingness to create, support, and maintain a vital wellness feeder to the
community is to be applauded. The faculty and staff are working within a system that is
not easy to navigate and has done so successfully for seven years with licensing statistics
that reflect this success. The suggestions and recommendations are intended to improve
what is already a very strong program.
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
4. Action plan and timetable
The academic program review revealed the successes in the Massage Therapy Program as
well as some weaknesses that will be addressed over the next five years. Marketing,
career counseling, and facilities, along with advisement (which was not discussed in the
program review), are areas of emphasis. In summer 2010, advisement became a serious
concern. The advisement and registration needs of the Massage Therapy students need to
be addressed in the context of new CUNY policies regarding registration timetables.
Marketing and promotions need to be coordinated with Admissions as well as
Advisement efforts.
Programmatic
2010-2011
Meet with VPAA to
resolve summer
advisement issues;
propose to budget a
part-time summer
advisement position
for Massage Therapy
Program.
Conduct assessment
of four Massage
Therapy courses
each year. (See
detailed timetable
for five year
assessment plan.)
Meet with Career
Services to plan
more extensive
career guidance for
Massage Therapy
students.
Continue to monitor
the Program’s
advisement needs.
Develop with the
Marketing Office a
plan to promote
the program and to
promote the
program’s new
electives to
graduates and
other LMTs in the
community.
Continue to market
and promote the
program.
2011-2012
Revise all course
syllabuses and
outlines according
to college templates
and create rubrics
with programmaticspecific knowledge
areas and
demonstrable
massage therapy
skills.
Meet with Biology
Academy cohort
regarding
development of
science placement
test for BI 301.
2012-2013
Continue to monitor
the Program’s
advisement needs.
Continue to market
and promote the
program.
Revise the
curriculum to offer
a more research
evidence-based
curriculum.
Evaluate possible
effectiveness of
standardized
examinations for
cornerstone,
milestone, and
capstone courses.
2013-2014
Continue to monitor
the Program’s
advisement needs.
Continue to market
and promote the
program.
Continue to assess
program curriculum
according to the
assessment
timetable.
2014-2015
Program Review
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
Assessment
The Massage Therapy faculty is working together to create appropriate rubrics for HA
courses and will include BI 330 and BI 331 in FA10 and SP11 rubrics, which are
designed to assess course content connections made by students. The Department of
Biological Sciences and Geology faculty are assessing all BI courses, and supporting
departments are providing appropriate assessment of all general education requirements.
Key courses to be
assessed
Curricular objectives ( 1-10)
Date
last
assessed
Date of next
assessment
1. 2010-2011
BI-330 Myology
HA-102 Western Massage 1
HA 203 Practicum 1
Demonstrate a strong foundation in the
biological sciences, together with a broad
based general education in the liberal
arts.
N/a
Implement Fall 2010
Develop a rubric to assess
whether students are
making connections
between HA-102 and BI330 and then applying their
knowledge to their
treatments in the student
clinic in HA-203
N/a
Implement Spring 2011
Develop a rubric to assess
whether students are
making connections
between BI-331 and HA104
Demonstrate knowledge of and
proficiency in the art and science of
massage therapy within a holistic health
framework.
Comprehend theoretical knowledge of
and apply Eastern and Western massage
therapy techniques.
HA-203
Work with clients in a variety of settings
under the direct supervision of a licensed
faculty member.
BI-331 Kinesiology
HA-104 Western Massage 2
Demonstrate a strong foundation in the
biological sciences, together with a broad
based general education in the liberal
arts.
Demonstrate knowledge of and
proficiency in the art and science of
massage therapy within a holistic health
framework.
Comprehend theoretical knowledge of
and apply Eastern and Western massage
therapy techniques.
2. 2011-2012
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
HA-220 Pathophysiology 1
HA-202 Western Massage 3
Demonstrate a strong foundation in the
biological sciences, together with a broad
based general education in the liberal
arts.
N/a
Implement Fall 2011
Develop a rubric to assess
whether students are
making connections
between HA-220 and HA202
N/a
Implement Spring 2012
Develop rubrics to assess
these courses
independently of one
another.
N/a
Implement Fall 2012
Develop rubrics to assess
these courses
independently of one
another
Demonstrate knowledge of and
proficiency in the art and science of
massage therapy within a holistic health
framework.
Comprehend theoretical knowledge of
and apply Eastern and Western massage
therapy techniques.
HA-101 Eastern Massage 1
HA-205 Professional Issues
Demonstrate a strong foundation in the
biological sciences, together with a broad
based general education in the liberal
arts.
Demonstrate knowledge of and
proficiency in the art and science of
massage therapy within a holistic health
framework.
Comprehend theoretical knowledge of
and apply Eastern and Western massage
therapy techniques.
HA-205
Demonstrate understanding of
professional issues, including legal and
ethical concerns, business practices and
the importance of continuing their
education throughout their careers.
3. 2012-2013
HA-100 Foundations of
Therapeutic Massage
HA-203 Eastern Massage 2
HA-100
Demonstrate understanding of
professional issues, including legal and
ethical concerns, business practices and
the importance of continuing their
education throughout their careers.
Demonstrate knowledge of and
proficiency in the art and science of
massage therapy within a holistic health
framework.
Comprehend theoretical knowledge of
and apply Eastern and Western massage
therapy techniques.
Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
HA-204 Practicum 2
HA-221 Pathophysiology 2
Demonstrate a strong foundation in the
biological sciences, together with a broad
based general education in the liberal
arts.
N/a
Implement Spring 2013
N/a
Implement Fall 2013 or
Spring 2014 as the courses
are offered
Demonstrate knowledge of and
proficiency in the art and science of
massage therapy within a holistic health
framework.
Comprehend theoretical knowledge of
and apply Eastern and Western massage
therapy techniques.
4. 2013-2014
HA-206 Pregnancy Massage
HA-207 Hospital-Based
Massage
HA-208 Sports Massage
HA-209 Thai Massage
Demonstrate a strong foundation in the
biological sciences, together with a broad
based general education in the liberal
arts.
Demonstrate knowledge of and
proficiency in the art and science of
massage therapy within a holistic health
framework.
Comprehend theoretical knowledge of
and apply Eastern and Western massage
therapy techniques.
5. 2014-2015
Program Review
What does the data say about student learning outcomes?
Develop rubrics to assess
these courses
independently of one
another