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ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

 

Master of Arts in History (MA) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

July 1, 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:
The College of Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the provision of programs that prepare students for a variety of professional roles through enhancement of their abilities to communicate and to understand and appreciate the world through a broad-based, liberal arts education.

Intended Administrative Objectives:
1. Students completing the History Master’s degree will understand the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the field of History at a level commensurate with graduate knowledge.

2. Students completing the Master’s program will be able to locate, interpret, and use appropriate available resources for research in History.

3. Students completing the Master’s in History degree will be prepared for further graduate study.

 

 ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

Master of Arts in History (MA) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

July 1, 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. Students completing the History Master’s degree will understand the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the field of History at a level commensurate with graduate knowledge.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Graduating History Master’s candidates will take a locally-generated comprehensive examination that measures understanding of the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the field of History commensurate with graduate knowledge.  The examination will be team graded by History faculty, using a rubric ranging from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent).  The average score on the examination will not fall below 3 on the rubric.

1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Two Master’s candidates took comprehensive examinations and answered two History questions each.  One student scored 4 on the general rubric; the other scored 3.

1a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Numbers are too small to generate definitive answers, and History faculty will continue to gather data on comprehensive examinations.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Subscales on the comprehensive examination will be scored to determine the outcomes relative to particular areas of History.  The average scores on the subscales will not fall below 3 (good) on any subscale.

1b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Two Master’s candidates took comprehensive examinations and answered two History questions each.  The average score on all four subscales exceeded 3 on both students’ examinations.

1b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Though scores were satisfactory in all areas, results were slightly lower on issues of historiographical knowledge and writing skills, and stronger in factual knowledge and analytical skills.  History faculty have begun work on a reading list for entering Master’s candidates that will address historiography, and will discuss changes to the sorts of questions asked on exams.  History faculty are also working on improving writing skills and will investigate adding ready-writing elements to History Master’s classes.

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

Master of Arts in History (MA) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

July 1, 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. Students completing the Master’s program will be able to locate, interpret, and use appropriate available resources for research in History.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students in HIST 5380/Historiography will complete a required library research project, to be prepared and graded by a committee of History faculty, that will test their ability to locate, interpret, and use appropriate available sources for research in History.  The project will be team graded by History faculty, using a rubric ranging from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent).  The average score on the project will not fall below 3 on the rubric.

a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected
History 5380 was not offered in the spring semester of 2004

a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
History faculty will continue to gather data on this assignment but cannot make recommendations for changes at this time.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Subscales will be developed for the Historiography class project that will identify areas of strength and weakness in historical research.  The average scores on the subscales will not fall below 3 (good) on any subscale.

b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
No data were collected because the class was not offered during the spring semester of 2004.

b. Use of Results to Improve Unit Service:
The small numbers involved, as well as the substantial variation between students in the fall semester of 2003 and spring semester of 2004, make conclusions difficult, but History program faculty will give further attention to developing writing skills.

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

Master of Arts in History (MA) (Thesis and Non-Thesis)
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

July 1, 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. Students completing the Master’s in History degree will be prepared for further graduate study.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Acceptance rates of TAMIU History Master’s graduates into Ph.D. or other further graduate study will be gathered.  The acceptance rates of these students will be at least 50% of those applying.

3a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Both students who graduated applied to Ph.D programs.

3a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
History faculty will review self-reporting rates to determine their efficacy and whether or not another mechanism must be used.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Rates of successful completion of TAMIU students who enter higher graduate programs will be gathered.  At least 50% of those students who enter further graduate study programs will successfully complete those programs.

3b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
All graduates (2) who applied (2) were accepted into Ph.D. programs (Southern Methodist University and Auburn University).

3b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
At the present time, program faculty in History are satisfied with the results for this means of assessment.

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