Assessment Plan

The following outlines a process in which we use a number of mechanisms to assess program effectiveness. It is important to note, however, that the effectiveness of the different mechanisms is dependent on other factors external to the program, especially students' provision of information, student preparation, changes in attention spans, and market conditions. So we cannot be sure that the process will always provide adequate or sufficient information. Even though the assessment instruments are imperfect, we use them to obtain and get partial answers on the effectiveness of the program.

1. Course Evaluations:

This mechanism is a partial evaluation of course performance carried out by students in all courses. It is disseminated through USU Registrar Office.

2. Senior Research Seminar (PolS 4990):

This mechanism provides a partial evaluation of our program and student skill levels through the capstone course. The capstone course is offered every semester by members of the faculty on different topics, according to the faculty's specialization. This assessment mechanism consists of the average grade for the class. The course grade is based mainly on a major research project that students undertake. The project tests students understanding of the field and analytical and writing abilities. This data can be used to assess student performance close to the time of graduation.

The information is disseminated annually to the departmental faculty to help them gauge how students are progressing and how our program is affecting their skill levels

3. Graduating Seniors Exit Survey:

This mechanism serves to assess whether students believe their instructional program met his or her goals and to measure overall satisfaction with the department. The interview is conducted by the Department Head at the end of the academic year. It consists of a process by which a random sample of graduating seniors is selected. Students receive a questionnaire to fill out prior to meeting the Head. The questionnaire provides for anonymity as one part of the questionnaire is to be filled anonymously. The Head then utilizes the replies to structure the student interviews to get the most value out of them. The Department Head then presents the outcome at the Annual Faculty Fall Retreat, or via e-mail through the Departmental Administrative Assistant.

4. USU Graduate Placement Survey-2000: Political Science:

This mechanism provides data on responding undergraduate students' employment and continuing education.

5. Master Degree Students' Placement:

This mechanism provides data collected by the Graduate Students Advisor on responding graduate students' employment and continuing education progress in the year following graduating.

One indication of the success of our degree programs is the ease with which our students adapt to training in other programs. We have been very successful in placing students in strong advanced degree programs around the nation. Moreover, they note how well-prepared they have been to tackle the demands of their jobs.

6. Political Interns Placement:

This mechanism provides data collected by the Internship Program on the number of students in the Internship Program who received jobs in politics following their internship. This information evaluates the marketability of the interns.

7. External Review:

This is a qualitative overall assessment by academic peers of program performance. This mechanism involves review every five years by political scientists from other universities appointed by the Department to do an overall evaluation of the department's program. The outside reviewers' report is for the purpose of identifying strengths and weakness for the department to consider and to implement suggestions, if changes are warranted.

In addition to these methods of distributing learning objectives, we have recently compiled a matrix of the major objectives expected of students and which courses emphasize these objectives.