Student Internships and
Learning Outcomes Assessment
By
Harpal S. Dhillon, AGSB University
Helmut Pusterer, AGSB University
Manpreet K. Dhillon, Hult International Business School
Annual Conference of The International Alliance
for Collegiate Business Education
March 2011
Overview
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Assessment and continuous improvement
Internship and Learning Assessment
Overview of AGSB University Student
Internship Program
Methodology for monitoring & evaluating
internship activities
IACBE accreditation and Student Internship
Conclusions
2
Assessment and Continuous Improvement
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Three levels of assessment
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Institutional; Program; Course
Focus of Assessment
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Institution/Unit Performance
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Operational Parameters
Financial Parameters
Image (Vision-Mission)
Learning Assessment
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Assessment of Learning by Student
Assessment of Development of Students
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Assessment and Continuous Improvement
(Continued)
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Assessment output influences
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Strategic Planning (Institution/Program)
Budgeting (Institution/Program)
Curriculum (Program/Course)
Course Content
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UMES: Institutional Effectiveness
Management Model
Source: University of Maryland – Eastern Shore
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Assessment and Student Success
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Learning outcomes assessment can be:
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Internal (Program/Course level)
External (Graduate Employability, Job
Performance of Graduate)
Combination of Internal and External
Student internship activity is appropriate for
assessing learning outcomes through direct
and indirect measures
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Student Internship and Outcomes
Assessment
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For a student to benefit, the internship must:
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Be planned and implemented properly
Involve appropriate host organization and
task/responsibility for intern
Designate qualified and enthusiastic faculty and worksite
mentors
Implement well designed oversight and mentoring
procedures
Require production of internship activity documentation
Conduct evaluation of learning outcomes & internship
experience
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Student Internship and Outcomes
Assessment (continued)
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For effective learning outcomes assessment:
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Internship activities must be an extension of coursework
Internship activities must be designed to facilitate internal
and external assessment of learning outcomes
Internship documentation must facilitate direct and
indirect measurement of learning outcomes at program
level
Internship activities and measurement of student
performance must provide a valid indication of
professional readiness of graduates
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Overview of AGSB
Student Internship Program
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Important program attributes:
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Internship is a mandatory requirement for MBA program
Academic credit awarded for internship (6 credit hours)
Formal agreement is negotiated between host organization
and AGSB University
Faculty sponsor facilitates and monitors internship activities
Host organization designates a “host mentor”
Learning outcomes are assessed in the internship program
Pass/Fail grade is determined based on Internship project
report and oral examination for student intern
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Overview of AGSB
Student Internship Program (continued)
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Success Measures:
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High level of satisfaction among students, faculty
mentors, and host mentors
Internships generally result in full time or part time
employment with host organization
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Methodology for Monitoring and Evaluating
Internship Program
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The formal internship agreement defines the parameters of
internship activity
Student intern prepares weekly activity log & monthly progress
report
Faculty and host mentors involved in monitoring internship
activity
Final Project Report and Self-Evaluation Report submitted by
intern prior to oral examination
Pass/Fail grade based on Final report and oral examination
Intern required to submit statement of lifelong learning
AGSB pursues continuous improvement in the student internship
program
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IACBE Accreditation and
Student Internship
IACBE Specified Competencies
AGSB Internship Learning Objectives
Problem recognition
Ability to identify, analyze and solve business
problems
Strategic Analysis and Integration
Ability to identify, analyze and solve business
problems
Application of quantitative methods to real-world
business situations
Mastery of knowledge, techniques, skills, and
modern tools of business and management
disciplines
Communication to relevant publics:
(a) Effective in written materials
(b) Effective in oral communication
Ability to communicate effectively, including
effective utilization of graphical and written
communication skills
Teamwork Skills
Ability to work in various roles as a member of
diverse project teams
Project Management Skills
Commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous
improvement when managing assigned
tasks/projects
Professional Ethics
Commitment to ethical business practices
Commitment to lifelong learning
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Conclusions
The graduate student internship program at AGSB University
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Is an effective and beneficial extension of on-campus academic
activities
Is a valid option for assessment of learning outcomes
Provides two objects for direct learning outcomes measurement
(Student Project Report and Student Portfolio) and one indirect
measure (feedback provided by Host mentor and other supervisors)
Facilitates professional development of graduates
Involves industry and public sector in graduate education
Generally facilitates employment of graduates in their chosen areas
of learning
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Thank you!
Questions?