Program PrioritizationThe Process

Board of Trustees RetreatSeptember 20, 2012

Program Prioritization Metrics

Metrics were determined by combining the three proposals provided by the Campus Planning Committee of the Faculty Senate.

The three proposals were based on different perspectives – qualitative versus quantitative data elements. However, there were also similarities.

The metrics have been reviewed by the Deans Council.

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Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples

Enrollment Number of Upper Level majors enrolled*

Program A: Average Enrollment = 521.3

Program B: Average Enrollment = 2.7

* 3 Year Average

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Program B

Program B has (on average*) 2.7 majors. As an undergraduate program, the totals should be closer to 20 students.

Important Questions Why is the enrollment low? Has the program been identified by GA as a low productivity program?

If yes, for how many cycles? How many student credit hours are generated by the program each year?

How does this compare to programs with higher enrollments? What is the justification to continue this program? What plans are in place to deal with this issue?

* 3 Year Average

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Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples

Size, Internal Demand, & Productivity Number of degrees awarded/Number of Upper Level Majors*

Program A: Average Majors = 125.3Average Degrees Awarded = 63.3Ratio = 0.505

Program B: Average Majors = 205Average Degrees Awarded = 52Ratio = .254

* 3 Year Average

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Program B

Program B has (on average*) graduated only 25% of its upper level students. The ratio should be closer to 0.50.

Important questions Why is the ratio of majors to degrees awarded below 0.50? Are courses being scheduled and offered in a timely way? What barriers exist that impact progress to degree for upper level students? What plans are in place to deal with this issue?

* 3 year average

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Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples

Time to Degree Number of semesters to graduation It is important to note that the average time to degree for students

at Appalachian is 8.6 semesters or 4.5 years. However, the range is about 4.0 to 4.8.1 The ranges in the UNC system is 9.3 semesters (WSSU) to 8.0 semesters (UNCSA).

Program A: Time to Degree = 4.2 years

Program B: Time to Degree = 4.8 years

1: Langdon, H. (2009). Time to Degree Study of Undergraduates Earning Degrees in 06-07 and 07-08: Students who originally enrolled as new freshmen.

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Program B

Program B requires 4.8 years for program completion. Appalachian is setting a goal of four years through the Finish in Four initiative.

Important Questions Why does this program require more than four years for completion? Provide a four year plan and demonstrate the programs to offer the classes in

the sequence listed? What barriers impact four year graduation rates? What plans are being implemented to remove those barriers? Has summer school offerings been considered to decrease time to degree? How many courses are offered in the department that do not count as major

requirements? What plans are in place to improve graduation rates?

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Program Prioritization Metrics – ExamplesLabor Market Projections – Top 25 Jobs in 2012*

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1. Registered Nurse 10. Occupational Therapist 19. Sports Coach

2. Software Developer 11. Maintenance & Repair Worker

20. Sales Representative

3. Pharmacist 12. Elem School Teacher 21. Accountant

4. Medical Assistant 13. Clinical Lab Tech 22. Receptionist

5. Database Manager 14. Speech-Lang Pathologist 23. Financial Advisor

6. Web Developer 15. Paramedic 24. Customer Service Representative

7. Computer System Analyst 16. Meeting, Convention & Event Planner

25. HR Specialist

8. Physical Therapist 17. School Counselor

9. Computer Programmer 18. Social Worker

Source: US News Money 2012Note: Appalachian programs in bold

Program Prioritization Metrics – ExamplesLabor Market Projections – Top Professions in 2020*

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1. Data Crunching 6. Environmental & Conservation Science

2. Counseling & Therapy 7. Some healthcare fields

3. Scientific Research 8. Management

4. Computer Engineering 9. Finance

5. Veterinarians 10. Entrepreneurship

Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsNote: Appalachian programs in bold

Program Prioritization Metrics – ExamplesImportant Questions

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Does the department track placement of graduates? If so:

What percentage of graduates are admitted to graduate or professional programs

Where are the graduates employed? Metric provides a workload modeling system

If not: Does the department have plans to track placement of graduates?

Program Prioritization Metrics - Examples

Position Metric Metric provides a workload modeling system Allows:

benchmarking of student credit hours per full time faculty equivalent ratio of instructional workload by non-tenure track faculty & tenure-

track faculty Establish target through discussion with the department and then

measure actual productivity of departments

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University Advancement

Faculty Position Utilization – On Target

University Advancement

Faculty Position Utilization – Excess

Positions

University Advancement

Faculty Position Utilization – Position

Need

Questions?

Board of Trustees RetreatSeptember 20, 2012