Report of the Internal ReviewCommitteefor the GraduateProgram Review
Rawls Collegeof BusinessAdministration
A report submitted to the Graduate Schoolof TexasTech University
April 19,2010
Submittedby:
Vickie ltrampton@ersonalFinancial Planning)
RashidAl-Hmoud (Economics)
SteveFraze (Agricultural Education)
This report is basedon materialsdrawn from The Rawls Collegeof BusinessAdministration (CoBA)
GraduateProgramReview 2003-2008documentand meetingsof the review team with numerousCoBA
faculty and students.The internal review team (Al-Hmoud, Fraze,and Hampton) along with an external
reviewer(Dr. SridharRamaswamifrom Iowa StateUniversity) held face-to-facemeetingswith selected
groups. Dr. Sridharhas submittedan independentreport focusingon the PhD program;therefore,the
PhD programis not a primary focus of this document.
The committeerecognizedfour active masterprogramsat the Rawls CoBA-Master of Sciencein
Accounting(MSA), Master of Sciencein BusinessAdministration(MS), Master of Business
Administration(MBA), and InternationalMaster of BusinessAdministration(IMBA), and one PhD
program. Thesedegreeprogramswere developedfrom five different areasof business-accounting,
finance,information systemand quantitativesciences,management,and marketing. In addition,the
CoBA hastwo separatelystandingprograms-Health OrganizationManagement(HOM) and Energy
commerce(ECOM).
ProgramOverview and Vision (good)
The vision of the Rawls College of BusinessAdministrationis to be amongthe top three schoolsof
choice in Texasfor prospectivestudents,employers,faculty, businesscommunity, and the public at large.
They would like to concentrateon programswherethey will be excellentand where they have a
competitiveadvantage.The overarchinggoal of the college is that every faculty memberhired, student
admitted,and ernployerinvited to campuswill be successful.
The review team encountereda very positive energyamongfaculty and studentsregardingthe Rawls
CoBA as a placeto study and work. For the most part, studentswere satisfiedwith the rigor of their
educationalexperienceand the quality oftheir peers,a notableexceptionbeing the concernsharedby
faculty regardingadmittanceof studentsto the MBA programwithout work experience.Faculty affirmed
that the working environmentallowed and encouragedthem to be successfulin their teachingand
research,and studentswere very positive aboutthe faculty and the accessthey had to faculty. CoBA has
developednumerouspartnershipswith other units on the TexasTech Systemcampuses,including many
dual degreeMBA programs,and it continuesto improve collaborationwith businessesfor the purposesof
establishinginternships,enhancingplacementof students,development,and to becomea schoolof
choice.
Thereare severalexamplesin placethat havetaken advantageof the competitiveadvantageenjoyedat
TexasTech, a very comprehensiveuniversitywith both the Law and Medical Schoolsin the samecity
with the main campus. Theseincludethe executivedelivery MBA programsfocusingon attorneys,
physiciansand other medical professionals,and.themany residentdual-degreeMBA prograrns.The
Health OrganizationManagementprogram is anotherexamplethat holds promise. Although Lubbock is
a very remotemetropolitanarea,the committeewould like CoBA to considerour locationas a
competitiveadvantage,ratherthan a disadvantage.Lubbock enjoys an extremelylow cost of living that
can be very attractive to graduatestudentsand potential faculty, and we have an excellent airport with
good serviceespeciallycomparedto thosein many universitycommunities.
In terms of focus on programswhere excellencecan be achieved,the committeebelievesthat
opportunitiesexist to consolidateresourcesto promoteexcellencein selectedprograms. For example,the
MSA programappearsto be very strongwith a limited numberof faculty while the IMBA and some
concentrationsof the MS appearto be struggling. Assumingresourcesare being spenton the struggling
programs,they should be reallocatedto build excellencein programsthat are strongand/or have strong
potentialfor excellence.
Looking specificallyat the goals statedin the CoBA's StrategicPlan,the committeehasnotedthe
oogrades"
and comments:
following
o
o
o
o
o
Academicexcellence: Becomea businessschoolof choice in Texasfor students,faculty,
employers,and the generalpublic (good). Continueefforts to establishthe PhD programwith a
nationalemphasis.
Accessand diversity: Recruit,retain,and graduatebusinessstudentswho are preparedto succeed
in and provide leadershipto organizationsand who representa diversepopulation(good). This
college is consistentwith nationalaveragesfor graduatebusinessprogramsin terms of diversity.
Engagement:Develop greatbusinesscommunity interactionsthat enhancethe educational
experienceof businessstudentsand their understandingof the businesscommunity (good)'
CoBA has establishedrelationshipsthat are very strongbut needto expandin this area.
Technology: Make appropriateuseof technologyin the delivery of servicesby the Rawls
College(good moving towardsexcellentwith the new facility).
Partnerships:Build strategicbusinessand academicrelationshipsfor the advancementof the
Rawls College (good/excellentin caseof the executivedelivery MBA programs)
It is importantto note that the Rawls Collegereaffirmedtheir AACSB accreditationin 2005 and have
maintainedit sincethen. This is a major accomplishmentand extremelynecessaryin meetingtheir
vision.
Facult-vProductivitv ( good)
The faculty is a true assetto the graduateprogramsin the Rawls College of Business. The numberof
track faculty increasedslightly (from 64-67)during this review period and two new
tenure/tenure
endowedchairswere added. Over 40 percentof the tenuretrack faculty membersare at the rank of full
professor,providing a valuableresourcein leadershipand productivity level for the college. There are
alsothreeHorn Professorscurrently on the faculty. While the faculty survey showedthis group to be a
bit more critical comparedto graduatestudentson the items surveyed,the faculty we met with were very
positiveand passionateabout the studentsthey instructed.
The faculty are very good teachersbasedon studentevaluationsincludedin the self-studymaterialsand
accordingto the studentswe met with during the review. They are very productivecomparedto Texas
Tech University averagesin generatingstudentcredit hours and in grantingdegrees;however,this is the
resultof relatively large classsizesparticularly in the MBA program. Someof the bestteachers
participateon an over-loadbasis in the executivedelivery of the MBA program,producingstudent-credit
hours at no cost to the university. And basedon our meetingwith the MBA Committee,this extra
teachingis not harming researchproductivity. Overall, the studentswe met with seemedgenerally
satisfiedwith faculty.
Regardingresearchproductivity, 80 percentof the faculty membershave publishedsomethingduring
their tenureat TTU, with the number ofjournal articlespublishedincreasingby ll7 percentover this
review period. The trend is certainly positive and will be necessaryto continueas TTU and the Rawls
Collegetry to meet the goal of a tier-oneresearchuniversity. In meetingwith PhD students,some
indicatedthat they publishedwith faculty; however,institutionalizingthis practiceshouldproducea winwin for faculty and students.
across
The lack of externalgrant funding from the faculty is traditional amongbusinessschools/colleges
important
to
the nation. However,externalunrestrictedresearchfunding is becomingincreasingly
universitiesnationally. TexasTech University is not an exception,and in fact the questto becomethe
next major researchuniversity in Texas makesour administrationeven more motivatedto reward
unrestrictedgrant dollars. Acquisition of thesefunds also is importantin improving faculty publication
recordsand supportingadditionalPhD students.
Oualitv and Ouantity of GraduateStudentsand Graduates(good)
'ogood"and consistentwith the quantityand
The quantityand quality of graduatestudentsis generally
quality of graduatestudentsat peer institutions.
The growth of the non-doctoralgraduateprogramwas inconsistentduring the study period (2003-2008)
as comparedto the previous5 years(1998-2003). Although enrollmentin the MBA and MSA programs
grew by 19Yoand500/0,respectively,enrollmentin the MS programactually droppedby 50o/o,and
remainedthe samein the IMBA programduring the study period. Enrollment in the MS programdid
improve slightly towardsthe end of the study period,which was a direct result of CoBA's recruiting
efforts in India. Graduatestudentslisted affordability of the programand city, availability of graduate
funding, and diversity of graduatecoursesas reasonsfor joining the graduateprogram. Studentdropout
ratewas describedby faculty membersas high, especiallyin the MBA program-the largestof the four
tracks. They attributedthat to students'lack ofpreparedness,lack offunding, and students'low
placementexpectations.
Placementof MSA and MS students(especiallythosein the Financearea)has beenimpressive. These
studentsare very satisfiedwith their level of educationand are confidentabouttheir chancesin thejob
marketupon graduation. Studentsin the MBA programare lessconfidentof their chances,however.
Theselow expectationsspawnfrom the placementtrack record of MBA studentsin the past,which is
describedas "moderate"by CoBA's self study.
The committeerecognizesthe importanceof recruiting seriousand capablegraduatestudents.The
committeealso believesthat the CoBA had done a superbjob recruiting studentsin the MSA and MS
programs. From talking to representativegraduatestudentsin theseprogramsand their professors,one
could easilymake the conclusionthat studentsare satisfiedwith their level of educationand potential
and seriousness.The
placement,and professorsare quite huppy with students'level of preparedness
samecannotbe said about the MBA program,however. Both graduatestudentsand their professorsin
the MBA programacknowledgethe inconsistentquality of the graduatestudentbody in the program.
Someof the studentsin the programhave had work experiencebeforejoining and are well prepared;
othersare not (especiallythose in the 150-hourprogram). While the committeeunderstandsthe value of
the MBA programto the CoBA and to TexasTech as a whole, and also recognizesthe opportunitycost of
raising admissionrequirements,the committeebelievesthat the CoBA is now in a strongposition that
allows it to becomemore selectivein terms of admission. The committeealso believesthat spending
more effort on securingadditional internshipsfor MBA studentswould result in acquiring"directed
experience"while in the programthat would improve placementupon graduation,and, thus, help in
attracting better quality studentsin the long run, The CoBA has the proper infrastructure to do so. The
committeewas pleasedto hearthat the admissioncommitteehas startedinterviewingpotentialgraduate
part of the admissionprocess.
students,as
Cuniculum and Programsof Study (good)
Master's Programs-The Rawls Collegeof BusinessAdministrationhas a very strongand diverse
graduateprogramat the Master's level with four basicdegreeprograms;the MSA (Master of Sciencein
Accounting),MS (Master of Sciencein BusinessAdministration),MBA (Master of Business
Administration),and the IMBA (Master of InternationalBusinessAdministration). One of the major
concernsfor the college in the previousprogramreview six yearsago was studenVfacultyratio. This has
beencorrectedthrough enrollmentmanagementand reductionof the undergraduateprogramby about
students. With this reduction,the graduateprogramhas beenable to grow without
1600undergraduate
the additionof new faculty other than replacementdue to attrition. Although growth has been
inconsistentacrossthe different programs,this can be attributedto enrollmentmanagementand the state
of the economy. This could certainly be the casewith enrollmentin the internationalprogram.
One of the positive points for the college is the MBA Committee. This committeeappearsto be very
active in the oversightand managementof the MBA program. In meetingwith the committee,there is
evidenceof concernfor a quality programthat is both progressiveand innovative. This committeeis vital
to the successof the largestportion of the graduateprogramwith the MBA accountingfor 66%oof the
total graduatestudentsenrolled in degreeprograms. Most issuesthat needaddressingare relatedto
resourcesor the lack thereof.
It is apparentthat eachdegreeprogramhas a largecourseoffering with adequatediversity in the courses
for different specializations.Surveysof both faculty and studentswere in agreementat somewhere
betweenstronglyagreeingand agreeingthat the programsoffered an adequateselectionof graduate
coursesthat arc taught at an appropriatelevel with sufficientrigor. For programscontainedspecifically
in the college,both faculty and studentsagreedthat the selectionof courseswere offered in a timely
mannerfor completionof degreesin timely manner. Agreementby both faculty and studentsin the
or concernsemergingin the survey.
surveyaboutprogramswas strongthroughoutwith no weaknesses
When readingthe individual comments,there were numerousitems that were positive as well as several
concerns,but with any set of individual commentsfrom a survey such as this, they needto be balanced
with the overall surveyresults. Anonymity also allows the commentsto be very specificto the problems
of the individualthat may or may not reflect on the overall quality of the program.
Various groupsof studentsfrom the different degreeprogramswere selectedto interview with the
committeefor periodsof about 45 minutes. There is always concernwhen it appearsa group has been
selectedfor the interview with the review committeeand that the interview was not an open invitation.
Although studentswere told that their responseswere anonymous,commentsmadeby studentswere later
identifiedas to who had madethe commentby advisorsknowing who was presentin the interviews.
With that in mind, the following is a list of strengthsand issuesneedingto be addressedmentionedby the
graduatestudentsinterviewedby the committee. In somecases,what was considereda strengthby one
group was viewed as a weaknessby anothergroup. One examplewas the admissionof studentswithout
work experience.
Strengths:
o
Practicalityof the Professors
o -Small classsize
o Inexpensiveto affendTexasTech University as comparedto other universitiesand colleges
.
o
Availability of scholarships
Placementof studentsgraduating from MS and MSA programs
o
MBA studentscan be admitted without work experience
o
MBA orientationis excellentfor non-businessstudentsand studentswith no work experience
o
Quality advisementwithin the college
Issuesto Address:
o
o
MBA joint degreesare very difficult in schedulingclasses
Advisementforjoint degreesvaries in quality
o
No apparentarticulationbetweenthe collegeand departmentsoutsidethe collegeon joint
programs
o
Varying levels of rigor basedon who teachesa course
o
Redundantclasseswithin the core curriculum
o
o
No clear division betweenundergraduateand graduaterequirementsof dual listed courses
Placementof MBA graduateslow
r
Transferofcredits for Internationalcoursesnot consistent
o
Difficulty of Internationalstudentstransferringcredits
o
Too easyto be admitted
o
Work experienceshould be requiredfor admissionto all programs
With most of the issues,either positive or negative,therewas a consensusto eachof the listed items
acrossthe different groupsof students.As to the validity of the concerns,it would be difficult for the
review committeeto make a judgment and theseare listed for the administrationof the collegeto be
awareof for possibleconsideration.Overall, the Rawls Collegeappearsto be doing a commendablejob
with the different programsoffered at the Master's level. Within any quality program,there are going to
be ongoingissuesand problemsthat arise. It is apparentthat the overall quality of the programis high
and that the administration,faculty, and staff are striving to continueto build and maintain a quality
graduateprogram.
Facilitiesand Resources(excellent)
Otherthan reviewing the building plans and touring the currentbuilding, we did not focus on facilities
becauseof the new building that is currently under construction.The committeebelievesthat the new
structureand placementof faculty offices will facilitate synergy among faculty from various programs,
comparedto the existing structure.
Recommendations
With the coming of ResponsibilityCenteredManagement(RCM), Rawls Collegewill needto make
decisionswithin a different academicenvironmentthan they are accustomedto. The following
recommendations
are made within the contextof the mission,vision and goals of CoBA and RCM.
Increasethe number of PhD students,and encouragemore consistentlythat PhD studentspublish
while they are students. External grant funding (or alternative funding sources)should be
pursuedfor RA positionsto increasePhD enrollment.
2. Increaseinternshipsfor MBAs to acquiredirectedexperienceresulting in improvedplacement.
This is especiallyimportant if the Collegecontinuesto admit studentswithout prior work
experience.There is currently an infrastructurein CoBA to do this, but it would no doubt require
additionalemphasisand resources.However,CoBA alumni could be very supportivein this
l.
effort.
3. Considereddropping IMBA as a separatedegree(could be an option within the MBA). Basedon
history,this degreewill not meet the new CoordinatingBoard rules (THECB) for low producing
MS degrees(a minimum of three graduatesper year-not averaged).This is especiallyimportant
if CoBA is expendingresourceson the IMBA degreeprogram.
4. Improve articulationboth in advisingand schedulingacrossthe degreesthat comprisethe various
dual degrees.
5. Addressthe issueregardingthe inconsistencyof rigor betweencourses(issuesraisedby students
who were interviewed). Perhapsa peer review systemof teachingwould be usefulto seeif the
issueis broadly basedand to correctthe problem if necessary.
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SteveFraze.Ph.D.
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