ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program
Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered
February 13, 2004
Date Submitted
Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose Linkage:
Institutional Mission Reference:
Texas A&M International University, a Member of The Texas A&M
University System, is committed to the preparation of students for leadership
roles in their chosen profession and in increasingly complex, culturally
diverse state, national, and global society … Through instruction, faculty
and student research, and public service, Texas A&M International
University is a strategic point of delivery for well-defined programs
and services that improve the quality of life for citizens of the border
region, the State of Texas, and national and international communities.
College/University Goal(s) Supported:
Administrative or Educational Support Unit Mission Statement:
The program provides a curriculum that teaches current and relevant
Criminal Justice material and that facilitates employment and/or
advancement/promotion in one’s profession.
Intended Administrative Objectives:
1. At the conclusion of the program, Master’s students
will demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and methodological
underpinnings of the field of Criminal Justice and be able to critically
evaluate the legal, ethical, and professional (i.e., operational
standards) components of the field.
2. Graduates at the Master’s level will be prepared for advancement
in criminal justice jobs and/or qualified for entry into criminal justice
positions in their chosen professions.
3. Graduates at the Master’s level will be prepared for further
study at the doctoral level or post-master’s work.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program
Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered
February 13, 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed. The
intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended
outcome number entered in the blank spaces.
1. At the conclusion of one’s program, master’s students will
demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings
of the field of Criminal Justice and be able to critically evaluate the
legal, ethical, and professional (i.e., operational standards) components
of the field.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students completing the Master of Science in Criminal Justice will
take a locally generated Comprehensive Examination developed by two Criminal
Justice faculty and one faculty member from the minor area selected. The
Comprehensive Examination will be team-graded using a rubric from 1 (poor)
to 5 (excellent). The average score will be 3 or higher.
1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
During the Summer 2003 and Fall 2003, seven (7) students completed
the requirements for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Comprehensive
Examination team meetings disclosed an average performance level
of 4.5, which exceeded the criteria for success articulated in the
Means of Unit Assessment for the first objective. One student was
required to re-take the Comprehensive Examination during Spring 2004.
This student is scheduled to take this re-examination in March 2004.
1a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Thus far, team evaluations of student performance on the Comprehensive
Examination suggest that the Criminal Justice Master of Science program
goals are being realized, and that students have acquired a mastery
of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the field
of Criminal Justice and expertise in their minor field.
Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Objective assessments of the student’s ability to evaluate the legal,
ethical, and professional components of their field will be included
on the Comprehensive Examination. The average score will be 3 or higher,
with “1” being poor, and “5” being excellent.
1b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Based on the information collected as the result of convening each
student’s faculty team and discussing the Comprehensive Examination results,
an objective assessment was made as to the student’s ability to evaluate
the legal, ethical, and professional components of their field. The team
assessments for six out of seven students averaged 4.5. One student’s
performance on the Comprehensive Examination was unacceptable, and the
student is re-taking this examination in March 2004.
1b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
At this time, no specific improvement in the curriculum or modification
of existing courses and their structure is indicated, since the results
of the Comprehensive Examination and overall student performance based
on course grades is high. Tentatively we conclude that our program goal
of equipping students with the ability to evaluate the legal, ethical,
and professional components of their field is being realized.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program
Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered
February 13, 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed. Intended
outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome
number entered in the blank spaces.
2. Graduates at the master’s level will be prepared for advancement
in criminal justice jobs and/or qualified for entry into criminal justice
positions in their chosen professions.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Those awarded degrees of Master of Science in Criminal Justice will
be surveyed to determine whether they believe that the Graduate Program
in Criminal Justice has prepared them professional employment and/or
advancement in their present fields. At least 80 percent of master’s
degree recipients will agree that the Graduate Program in Criminal Justice
has prepared them for employment in a criminal justice job or advancement
in their present position.
2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Of the six students who received Master of Science degrees in
Criminal Justice, 100 percent agreed that the Graduate Program in
Criminal Justice prepared them for employment in a criminal justice
job or advancement in their present position. Four out of six students
have either received salary increases in their present positions
and/or advancements to higher-level positions, while two students
reported that they expect similar outcomes during the next twelve
months.
2a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Because of graduate student agreement that the Graduate Program
in Criminal Justice has been beneficial to them in either securing
employment in the field or advancing their present positions, it
is tentatively concluded that the Graduate Program in Criminal Justice
should not be modified or changed at the present time. The CriminalJustice
faculty continue to monitor course offerings and incorporate program
diversity in special topics courses as a means of broadening graduate
student knowledge of the field and preparing them for future employment
in criminal justice agencies or advancement in their present positions.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program
Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered
February 13, 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed. Intended
outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended
outcome number entered in the blank spaces.
3. Graduates at the master’s level will be prepared for further
study at the doctoral level or post-master’s work.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Graduates with a Masterof Science degree in Criminal Justice and
who enter graduate schools for advanced study (e.g., Ph.D., J.D.) will
be surveyed in one year to determine whether the Master of Science Degree
in Criminal Justice earned at Texas A & M International University
prepared them adequately for further graduate study. The responses will
be measured on a five-point Likert scale ranging from “1” (not at all)
to “5” (very well). At least 80 percent of those responding will agree
that the Master of Science in Criminal Justice prepared them well for
their respective graduate programs.
3a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Of the six students who successfully completed the requirements
for the Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice, two students
entered advanced degree programs. One student entered law school
at the University of Texas-Austin, while the other student entered
the Ph.D. program at Sam Houston State University. Although these
students have been involved in their respective programs for less
than one year, contact with these students has been favorable. They
have indicated that the Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice
they received at Texas A&M International University prepared
them “very well” for advanced graduate study. The other four students
receiving the Master of Science in Criminal Justice have not entered
advanced degree programs. Rather, they have been rewarded in their
present positions, either through advancement to higherpositions,
or through salary increases, or by being assigned to positions with
greater responsibility or authority.
3a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
It is difficult to determine from two responses of persons who
entered graduate programs at other universities whether the Criminal
Justice Master of Science Degree Program at Texas A&M International
University is fulfilling the objective of preparing graduates for
further study at the doctoral level of post-master’s work. However,
graduating master’s degree students will continue to be monitored
and surveyed to determine whether advanced degrees are sought. Over
time, more conclusive results should be forthcoming. At present,
it is tentatively concluded that no major changes in our present
Master of Science in Criminal Justice program should be made. The
Criminal Justice faculty continue to evaluate existing program requirements
and compare/contrast the Texas A & M International University
master’s program with comparable programs at other universities.
Adjustments in the curriculum are made on a continuing basis, as
new developments in the Criminal Justice field occur. It is believed
that the existing curriculum reflects current national trends and
that our present system for delivering effective graduate services
is fulfilling this particular goal.
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