Program Assessment Plan
American University
SPA: Doctoral Programs - PhD
SPA: Doctoral Programs - PhD
Contact Person for Vicky Wilkins
Assessment:
Primary Department: Public Admin/Policy
Learning Outcome: Key Theories (2012-2013)
Doctoral students will demonstrate understanding of relevant literature in their field by identifying and explaining key theories and controversies in their field(s).
Outcome Year: 2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 01/30/2013
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Passing performance on culminating comprehensive examinations.
Significant percentage of candidates are able The Director of the SPA Ph.D. programs
Yes
to pass comprehensive examinations in their and all faculty who teach in the program
field(s) of study.
meet every June to review each doctoral
student's progress and accomplishments and
consider revisions to the doctoral courses
and overall program based on the indicated
measures and feedback from students.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Learning Outcome: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods (2012-2013)
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the conventions in the conduct of inquiry using quantitative and qualitative methodologies and the ability to make use of these methods in research
Outcome Year: 2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 01/30/2013
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Completion of Series of Assignments in Required Methods Courses (GOVT 612/13)
75% of students will perform satisfactorily every semester
Measure Type:
Other
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Active
Yes
Learning Outcome: Formulate Research Questions (2012-2013)
Doctoral students will be able to formulate sound research questions, demonstrating awareness of the limitations of existing scholarship.
Outcome Year: 2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 01/30/2013
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Students will successfully write and defend orally a proposal for their dissertation.
95% of students will pass the dissertation
proposal defense
All faculty who teach in the three programs Yes
meet with the SPA Director of Ph.D.
Programs and three departmental
coordinators to assess student progress each
June. This group discusses each student's
progress holistically, evaluating whether he
or she is making sufficient progress toward
completion of the degree. The departmental
coordinators work with the director to
formulate a letter for each student that
outlines the key conclusions from this
meeting. For students who are deemed to be
making adequate progress, the letter is
designed to give feedback to help them
continue to make progress and ultimately
graduate. For students who are deemed to be
making inadequate progress, the letter
identifies explicitly the targets that the
student must reach by the next review cycle
in order to continue in the program.
Measure Type:
Other
Active
Learning Outcome: Test Research Questions (2012-2013)
Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct credible original research, applying appropriate methodologies effectively to test a significant and compelling question in political science
Outcome Year: 2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 01/30/2013
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Dissertation Completion and Oral Defense
95% of students will successfully complete on-going
and defend their dissertations
Measure Type:
Other
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Schedule/Cycle
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Active
Yes
Learning Outcome: Communication of Findings (2012-2013)
Students will demonstrate the ability to disseminate their research findings to the scholarly community, within SPA and outside as well.
Outcome Year: 2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 05/15/2013
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Students will submit an annual report each May. The annual report will require
information on presentations, publications (peer-reviewed or other publications), and
papers submitted for peer review.
Measure Type:
Survey
50% of 3rd-5th year PhD students will have Annual
at least one paper submitted for review for
publication or presentation at a conference.
75% of 3rd-5th year PhD students will have
at least one conference presentation in
previous year.
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Schedule/Cycle
Active
Yes
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