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Assessment : 2006 - 2007 : Educational Programs :
Sociology MA

3 Goals     3 Objectives     3 Indicators     3 Criteria     3 Findings     3 Actions

GOAL: Apply Core Concepts

Objective Methodology Component
Graduate Students who complete the Sociology MA Program will be competent sociologists and will be able to apply the core concepts of the discipline of Sociology.
Associated Goals: Apply Core Concepts

Indicator Evaluation Of Methodology
The evaluation of the Graduate Program mirrors that of the Undergraduate Program. However, it is qualitatively more rigorous. The first part of the Evaluation Program (EP) consists of the evaluation of one research paper written by each graduating student in his/her specialty area. The second part of the EP consists of a questionnaire that measures the students' perception of their acquired knowledge of Sociology. Because of the limited number of students this component of the EP has not been implemented yet. However, the Graduate Students who completed the program have all gone on to Doctoral Programs. These indicators are evaluated by a three member committee of the Graduate Faculty appointed by the chair. Employing their professional expertise, the committee evaluates students' papers assigning a maximum of two point for the use of sociological theory, a maximum of one point for the use of methodology and a maximum of two point for the articulation of the student's research. Samples are collected in the Fall and Spring and results evaluated at the end of each Spring semester.
Criteria Desired Results--Methodology
At least 80% of papers should be rated 3 or better on the 5 point-scale. Two points can be given for methodology.
Finding Methodology Component
100% of the students were able to apply core concepts and received at least a 1 on methodology.
Actions for Objective:

Action Apply Core Concepts
The departmeent will increase interaction between faculty and students

GOAL: Communicate Results

Objective Communicate Results
Graduate students who complete the Sociology MA Program will competent and able to communicate the scientific results obtained through the application of the core concepts of the discipline
Associated Goals: Communicate Results

Indicator Evaluation Of Communication Skills
The evaluation of the Graduate Program mirrors that of the Undergraduate Program. However, it is qualitatively more rigorous. The first part of the Evaluation Program (EP) consists of the evaluation of one research paper written by each graduating student in his/her specialty area. The second part of the EP consists of a questionnaire that measures the students' perception of their acquired knowledge of Sociology. Because of the limited number of students this component of the EP has not been implemented yet. However, the Graduate Students who completed the program have all gone on to Doctoral Programs. These indicators are evaluated by a three member committee of the Graduate Faculty appointed by the chair. Employing their professional expertise, the committee evaluates students' papers assigning a maximum of two point for the use of sociological theory, a maximum of one point for the use of methodology and a maximum of two point for the articulation of the student's research. Samples are collected in the Fall and Spring and results evaluated at the end of each Spring semester.
Criteria Desired Results--Communication
At least 80% of papers should be rated 3 or better on the 5 point scale. One point may be given for the articulation of the ideas.
Finding Communicate Results
100% of students were able to communicate their results effectively.
Actions for Objective:

Action Communicate Results
The deparetment will increase interaction between faculty and studennts

GOAL: Understand Core Concepts

Objective Theory Component
Graduate Students who complete the Sociology MA Program will be competent sociologists who will be able to use the disciplinary scientific tools (theories).
Associated Goals: Understand Core Concepts

Indicator Evaluation Of Theoretical Knowledge
The evaluation of the Graduate Program mirrors that of the Undergraduate Program. However, it is qualitatively more rigorous. The first part of the Evaluation Program (EP) consists of the evaluation of one research paper written by each graduating student in his/her specialty area. The second part of the EP consists of a questionnaire that measures the students' perception of their acquired knowledge of Sociology. Because of the limited number of students this component of the EP has not been implemented yet. However, the Graduate Students who completed the program have all gone on to Doctoral Programs. These indicators are evaluated by a three member committee of the Graduate Faculty appointed by the chair. Employing their professional expertise, the committee evaluates students' papers assigning a maximum of two point for the use of sociological theory, a maximum of one point for the use of methodology and a maximum of two point for the articulation of the student's research. Samples are collected in the Fall and Spring and results evaluated at the end of each Spring semester
Criteria Desired Results-Theory
At least 80% of papers should be rated 3 or better in the 5 point scale. A paper can be given two points for Theory.
Finding Theory component
100% of students were able to use scientific tools and received at least a 1 on theory.
Actions for Objective:

Action Using scientific tools (theory)
The department will increase interaction between graduate students and faculty and include more students in faculty research.

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Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1111
1-866-BEARKAT