University of Nebraska Kearney

Counseling and School Psychology Graduate Program Assessment Report 2004: Recommendations from 2002-2003 Assessment Process

Submitted Fall, 2004

1. Global Rating Form: This rubric was revised and the new form has been used this past year.
2. Graduate Follow-Up Survey - In-depth study:
   The overall average rating from program graduates = 4.3 (5 = highest rating), indicating high program effectiveness.

   As a result of the Department's assessment process for 2003-2004, an analysis was done related to these results. The consistent and significant reasons given for the Department's effectiveness are the quality of the faculty and their relationship with the students. What follows is a sample of evidence, comments from the survey to expand on this conclusion:

   What do you consider to be the greatest strengths specific to the Department of Counseling and School Psychology?

   • (1) experiential learning; (2) availability of professors & their priority of staying current; (3) cultural education (multi); (4) time dedicated to practicum-priceless.
   • Very knowledgeable staff
   • The people! Excellent teachers
   • The people who are involved throughout the program-students, instructors
   • The faculty is supportive and making their personal experience part of learning was more than helpful.
   • I felt that my instructors knew me. I felt they were available & responsive.
   • I have most appreciated the feeling of support and guidance I have received throughout my program. The faculty in this department care a great deal about the students indicated by their willingness to share knowledge inside and outside of the classroom and the amount of preparation that goes into their instruction
   • The faculty are a definite strength of the program. All are knowledgeable and approachable & willing to help students & walk w/them on a personal level.
   • I was complimented by supervisors at my internship site that I was well prepared & well-trained
   • The faculty and their positive attitude and commitment toward students and their development
   • The greatest strengths are the professors who are all very supportive of each student's education and personal growth.
   • Knowledgeable professors-caring, sympathetic, considerate, flexible
   • The greatest strengths include: an atmosphere conducive to learning where professors are approachable; extensive "hands-on" work in the video rooms; encouragement by the professors to grow professionally and academically and acceptance for students to explore theories apart from those formally endorsed by the program.
   • Excellent faculty; course offerings connect well to make a coherent whole; many opportunities for practical application; many opportunities for personal along with academic growth; helpful use of media/technology
   • Positive role model by majority of the staff; support given by majority of staff.
   • Strength is commitment of faculty, and support they give the students.
   • In each one of my classes I felt each professor knew how to teach their class. I felt each professor put a hard effort in helping their students understand the concepts they needed.
   • All instructors are very professional, knowledgeable, and teach in an understandable manner.
   • Caring, enthusiastic knowledgeable professors and staff.
   • I feel the faculty of the program is exceptional. You are a diverse group, but each outstanding in one way or another. Throughout the program it was obvious to me that the faculty is always looking for ways to improve the program-and have genuine concern for students.
   • UNK's program provides a balanced mix of science to humanities, academics to practical application, and a "pulling" of students to a "pushing" of students. I take great pride in graduating from UNK, and view it as the greatest possible opportunity upon which to build my future professional and academic endeavors.
   • The greatest strength in the program (CC) is the quality of the professors and their motivation, encouragement and interest in the success of the students. There was always an open relationship with respect for the individual needs of students. I felt the atmosphere at UNK was helpful & positive. If I had any question, someone would be there to offer suggestions and help. The quality of the professors made learning and completing the program a success for me. I was challenged to be my best and to take what I needed & was necessary and apply my learning to real life situations both personally & professionally.
   • Staff who model appropriate counseling skills & techniques.
   • I believe the greatest strength of the counseling program is the professionals that are our professors. I loved the one on one teaching.
   • The attitude of the profs. and persons in the CC program. These individuals made the journey worth while. Learning didn't seem like a task, but an opp. into something great.
   • Personal relationship with professors who are accommodating and flexible; I like the theoretical orientation of the program and the personal and professional development I made while there.
   • The willingness of the professors to work with the students on individual needs.
   • I think that the greatest strength of the program from my perspective is the student centered humanistic approach. The instructors and students involved helped me to feel comfortable in sharing my thoughts, experiences and ideas. This helped me to develop academically as well as personally and that is what I feel education and counseling is about. Developing personally.
   • The greatest strengths specific to the school/community counseling program are the caring instructors, and the good ratio of students to teachers.
   • Staff-expertise, warmth, commitment. I could never praise your staff enough.
   • (1) Individual attention, we were not numbers in the program but people with individual gifts; (2) Excellent teaching of foundational principles of counseling; (3) meticulous attention to ethics, both practicing them as instructors/professionals and teaching them.
   • Greatest strength is the leadership & professors of the program.
   • The support from every professor-their inter & intra personal skills are commendable and their ability of teach the course material in a way that allows for a smooth & easy integration of classroom information to the actual work environment.
   • (1) Classes small enough so students is treated as an individual, not a number. (2) Knowledgeable professors to go that extra mile for the student.
   • One of the biggest strengths of the community counseling program, besides Cel, is the encouragement from the professors and the department chair.
   • I feel that the willingness of the staff-professors-to send extra time with me really helped. It was more individualized to needs.
   • I believe the greatest strength of the program is the sincere interest the professors take in the students.
   • I believe that 97% of the professors are well versed in the subject matter they teach and are able to effectively communicate it in a manner that is interesting & has a lasting knowledge effect.
   • I would have to say one of the biggest strengths if the program is the low student-professor ratio. This low ratio allows for better one-to-one contact with the professors that I believe is vital in a graduate program. Another strength is the vast knowledge of the professors. All of my questions were answered with great in-depth knowledge and preciseness.
   • A greatest strength is an atmosphere of acceptance that the faculty creates which enhances learning

   What do you consider to be areas in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology that may need improvement?

   • I would like to see at least one class required on alcohol and substance abuse.
   • Paid internships
   • Expanded offerings related to College Student Affairs