Assessment

2008 Graduate Survey

In an effort to gather information regarding the educational experiences of Mountain State University (MSU) graduates, to improve the quality of these experiences, as well as to provide a source of data for the University’s strategic initiatives, a Graduate Survey was conducted during the spring semester of 2008. Since 2003, graduating students were sent post card invitations and email invitations to participate in the graduate survey. Survey response rates varied from a low of 17% in 2005 and 2006 to a high of 58% in 2007. Beginning in 2007 participation in the graduate survey was incorporated into the procedure for applying for graduation in an effort to increase the response rate. This was successful in that there were 1,026 students who applied for graduation of which 592 responded producing a 58% response rate for the 2007 Graduate Survey. The 2008 response rate fell slightly from 58% to 54%. The survey administered was in a web-based format designed to measure the level of satisfaction of the graduate’s educational experiences at MSU.

The 2008 responses indicate that 23% of the graduates are completing their master’s degree, 59% are completing their bachelor’s degree and 17% are completing their associate’s degree. Similarly, 50% indicated that they have completed over 97 credit hours, 14% have completed from 65 to 96 credit hours, 20% have completed from 33 to 64 credit hours and 2% have completed under 32 credit hours.

Results indicated that 94% of the graduates were satisfied with the growth in their ability to think critically and their ability to learn independently while 93% felt satisfied with their ability to organize ideas, solve problems, and transfer what they learned. Approximately 91% felt satisfied with their ability to write clearly while 89% were satisfied with their ability to speak with clarity. Only 86% felt satisfied with their ability to use computers.

Approximately 87% of Mountain State graduates feel that their program of study prepared them well for employment. The majority (92%) of these students indicated that their educational goals were either completely met (67%) or partially met (25%) through their studies at Mountain State University. Only 1% felt that their educational goals had not been met. Forty-one percent rated their academic program as excellent while 41% rate it as good. Wight percent rated their academic program as average while 1% rated it as poor or very poor.

In addition, 39% indicated that they were the first in their family to graduate from college and 66% indicated that they planned to continue their education. Of those students that planned to continue their education, 10% have already begun, 30% plan to start within one year and 24% indicated that they would start within five years. There was only 1% who indicated that they planned to continue their education after five years. When asked where they would further their education, 30% indicated that they would further their education at MSU, 13% indicated another school in West Virginia, and 13% indicated a school outside of West Virginia. The responses indicated that 4% planned to attain a professional degree, 9% a doctoral degree, 41% a master’s degree, 11% a bachelor’s degree, 1% an Associate degree, and 2% a certificate. When asked how important were Web-based courses in their decision to pursue further education, 60% indicated that they were important, 16% indicated somewhat important and 13% indicated that they were not important.

Responses indicated that 53% were employed, with 44% being employed in their field of study. Of those students that indicated that they were employed, 54% indicated that their job was in West Virginia while 46% indicated that it was outside of West Virginia. It is interesting that even though 53% of the respondents indicated that they were employed, 49% indicated that they were actively seeking employment while 31% indicated that they were not actively seeking employment. This would indicate that some respondents were actively seeking employment after they received their degree even though they already have a job. Fifty-five percent of the graduates responded to the question regarding the salary range they were currently earning. Of these respondents 32% were earning $50,000 or lower, 17% were earning over $50,000 but below $99,000, and 4% were earning over $99,000.

When asked what sources did they used or are they using in their employment search, 5% indicated that they used the Career Planning and Placement Center, 4% employer recruiting on campus, 12% practicum/internship, 7% faculty/academic department, 24% family/friends, 22% newspaper, 21% Networking/contact, 19% indicated company websites, 7% employment agencies, 17% search engines, 7% clinicals, and 14% other. Sixty-six percent of the respondents indicated that MSU was not instrumental in assisting with their job search while 16% indicated that MSU was instrumental. Similarly, 49% indicated that MSU needed to do more in assisting them in locating employment while 34% indicated that MSU did not need to do more. When asked what services would be most helpful, 23% indicated career counseling, 19% interviewing skills, 23% job fairs, 19% expanded career services, 14% on campus interviews, 24% resume writing assistance, and 3% other.

The responsiveness of these graduate surveys is of great importance, it assists MSU in preparing the adjustments that will ensure a unity of vision, and action that is necessary for a successful education environment. These responses offer support not only for the quality of an MSU education, but also for how successfully the University is achieving its mission by preparing its graduates to meet continued success long after they leave here.