How Southeastern Evaluates Student's Experiences
Q: How does Southeastern evaluate student's experiences to improve the University facilities and curriculum?
A: Southeastern administers several surveys to assess the level of student satisfaction with their educational experiences and uses the results to make desired improvements. The following four surveys are perhaps the most helpful in allowing the University to determine the steps it needs to take in order to increase overall effectiveness.
Each Spring, Southeastern participates in the ACT Student Opinion Survey as part of the Board of Regents effectiveness measures. The survey covers a variety of areas and services on campus. Campus units can use the results of the survey for program improvement and institutional effectiveness.
Each year, a Current Student Survey is administered to a random sample of students. The survey covers a variety of areas and services on campus, including but not limited to Student Affairs, Sims Memorial Library, Technology, and Academic Services. Campus units can use the results of the survey for program improvement and institutional effectiveness.
During Orientation, all students are required to complete the Entering Freshman Survey. This survey contains questions about why students chose Southeastern, what influenced their decision, personal and social development, confidence in general education skills, and demographic information. The results are compiled and reported annually.
Every student who graduates from Southeastern is required to complete the on-line Exit Survey. This survey contains a set of general questions that are asked of all graduates and a set of questions which are specific to the individual majors. The questions are specifically related to the students major are do not include any general education questions. The results are compiled and reported annually.
Q: How does Southeastern evaluate its degree programs to improve the University curriculum?
A: Southeastern evaluates its degree programs through the Major Field Assessment (MFA) process. All academic programs (majors) are required to review/update their MFA Plans every three years and submit a report every two years. In each MFA plan, the academic program develops goals for student learning, expected outcomes, and assessment indicators to measure the success of those goals. In each MFA report, the academic program reviews data gathered and reports out program and curricular changes that have been made as a result. Some examples of methods used for collecting MFA data include portfolio reviews, national standardized tests, departmental exams, Exit and Alumni surveys, licensure exams, and internship evaluations.
Southeastern relies on the results of its evaluations to improve programs and services offered by the University. Student feedback is invaluable as it allows Southeastern the opportunity to see itself from the student perspective, thus allowing it to make improvements for the University's most important consumer.