Assessment of Learning Outcomes
University Counseling Center
2011 – 2012
I
Report Period 6/10/11 – 6/08/12
II
Student Learning Outcomes
A. Students will learn to improve their problem solving and coping skills.
B. Students will improve their decision-making skills and goal setting skills.
C. Students will achieve greater insight and understanding of self.
III
Method
A. Assessment of Individual Counseling.
1. The assessment tool used was the “Student Feedback Form.” It was last
revised 01/09. The form looks at age, gender, ethnicity, year in college,
number of counseling sessions attended at time of filling out the survey,
and reasons for seeking counseling.
It has 16 questions that address learning outcomes, satisfaction and
quality issues on a 5-point scale. (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly
agree) It has four open ended questions. Two about “the most helpful”
and “least helpful” aspect of services received, one that asks about what
new services would like us to have in the future, and one that asks, “what
reaction do you have to your counselor that you would like him or her to
know?” They are kept in the waiting room and students are encouraged to
fill one out after one or more sessions.
B.
Assessment of classes, seminars and groups.
1. The assessment tool used is the “Group/Seminar Evaluation form. It has
has a 5 point scale that lets the student rate the facilitator, learning
outcome and quality of the presentation with four questions. It also has
three open ended questions that ask about what the most helpful and least
helpful part of the seminar was for them, along with suggestions for future
topics. Students in the class are given the feedback forms, fill them out
and turn them in at the end of the class.
IV
Results. (28)
A. Individual Counseling (n = 28)
1. Students will learn to improve their problem solving and coping skills.
a. Responses to key questions. (% that answered with a 4 or a 5)
1). “Counseling has helped me learn better coping skills”
(89%)
2) “Counseling has helped me improve my problem
solving skills” (86%)
2. Students will improve their decision-making and goal setting skills.
a. Responses to key questions. (% that answered with a 4 or a 5)
1) “Counseling has helped me to improve my ability to
make decisions and set goals” (89%)
3. Students will achieve greater insight and understanding of self.
a. Responses to key question.
1) My counselor has helped me understand myself better”
(93%) chose a 4 or a 5)
4. Average across all 4 measures = 89%
B. Group/Seminar Evaluation Form (n = 286)
1. Students will learn to improve their problem solving and coping skills.
a. (89.39%) chose either a 4 or 5 in response to, “I learned new
skills that will help me succeed academically”.
V
Additional Outcomes Measures (% that chose either 4 or 5)
A. Individual Counseling
1. “I have experienced improvement in the condition or problem for
which I sought services” (96%)
2. “My counseling sessions have helped me stay in school” (72%)
3. “My counselor has helped me reduce my stress level” (86%)
B. From Group/Seminars evaluation form.
1. “I would recommend this (group/seminar) to others” (94.8%)
VI
Responses to Open Ended questions
A. Student Feedback Forms
1. 89% wrote a comment in response to the “Most helpful aspect of
services I have received” question. All comments were very positive.
2. 7% wrote a comment in response to the “least helpful aspect is”
question.
a. One wrote “When the counselor answers the phone or checks
e-mails, it’s as if I’m not the priority in the session.”
b. One wrote “availability of doctor.”
3. 64% wrote comments in response to “What reactions do you have to
your counselor that you would like him or her to know?”
a. Comments were 100% positive with many extremely positive.
4. Three students (11%) responded to our “What new services would you
like to see us have in the future?” The comments were:
a. “More group sessions”
b. “24/7 assistance”
c. “Maybe some type of program for people involved with someone w/ substance/alcohol abuse.”
(2)
B. Group Seminar Evaluation
1. 46 students (16%) responded to “Comments and or suggestions of
future topics for presentations”.
a. One wanted a presentation taught on obesity.
b. Seven wanted more than an hour for the presentation.
c. Seven said they would have liked their Stress Reduction Class
earlier in the semester.
d. Five students wanted to practice the breathing technique.
e. Six students said they thought a PowerPoint would improve the
presentation.
f. Two students wanted a presentation concerning relationships/
conflicts and more examples involving conflicts between
coworkers.
g. One student wanted a presentation on ADD.
h. One student suggested a presentation concerning the
recognition of schizophrenic breaks in college students.
i. One student wanted a presentation about what foods to
eat while stressed.
j. One student suggested a presentation concerning burn out,
creative block, writer’s block.
k. One student wanted a presentation how to help others with
stress.
l. One student wanted a presentation how to study without
stress.
m. One student commented group activities/hands-on activities to
get students involved and familiar with the content of the
presentation.
n. Six students commented that they would like Ms. Williams to
speak louder.
VII
Changes in Response to Assessment
A. Individual Counseling
1. The person requesting a psychiatrist was unaware and did not ask a
counselor, as we have had a part time psychiatrist on site for several
years now, that we actively refer to.
2. The two comments about advertising our services more, may reflect
the loss of our graduate student position at the end of FY 2009. She
was charged with advertising our services and was very active in that
regard. If we get more staff, we should be both able to advertise more
and be able to provide quality services while meeting the resulting
increase in service demand. We consistently see 15% - 20% more
students each year so we are still getting lots of referrals and walk ins.
3. In response to career outlook material, the director will repeat referral
process to Career Services and other programs on campus to
volunteers and interns, to help make sure students are made aware of
additional services available to them.
B. Group/Seminar Evaluation
1. The students who wanted a class on dealing with a bad roommate
may find what they are looking for is a class on relationships the
director teaches each semester.
2. Ms. Williams was informed that there were requests that she spend
more time doing the relaxation exercises in her stress reduction
presentation and she will do so starting Fall of 2011.
3. The students who made the stress reduction seminar presented earlier
in the semester were all in a large (80 plus) nursing class. The
professor involved was informed and plans to bring us in much closer
to the start of the semester.
(3)