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The Doctoral Program in Higher Education at North Texas State University: An Appraisal

Doctoral graduates of the program in Higher Education, Division of Higher Education, North Texas State University, from the fall of 1969 through spring, 1973, were selected as subjects for an evaluation of the program. To appraise the effectiveness of the program, the evaluation attempted to: (1) determine how the graduates viewed various aspects of their doctoral program and experiences at North Texas State University; (2) appraise the effectiveness of the doctoral program in Higher Education in light of the career goals and needs of the graduates and how the program served those needs; (3) present conclusions and recommendations based on the findings of the study which could aid in the administration of the program, provide information for planning new programs and policies, or in supporting those already in existence. A questionnaire was developed and used as the data-gathering instrument, after being revised according to suggestions given by a jury. The questionnaire was mailed to graduates on August 17, 1973, and a follow-up letter was mailed on September 19, 1973, to those non-respondents who could be identified. Of the total number of graduates who received the questionnaire, 69 (71 per cent) responded. Data contained in the questionnaires were numerically coded and recorded on keypunch worksheets. With the aid of the staff from the N.T.S.U. Computing Center, print-outs were produced from the worksheets which contained tabulated data. Tables were made from the data for analysis and interpretation. Analysis of the data led to the following conclusions. The program is producing graduates who have a marketable education with most of them teaching in four-year colleges and universities. The emphases on college teaching and administration are major strengths of the program and graduates rate a strong degree of satisfaction with the major program components, structure and curriculum. Competencies gained in educational research and statistics and the residency requirement are considered valuable by graduates. When compared to other programs in Higher Education, the program at N.T.S.U. is rated above average to outstanding by 77 per cent of its graduates. Most graduates were dissatisfied with the amount and variety of financial assistance that was available and felt that the internship experience was under-utilized. Recommendations for further research included replication of the study after a number of years, evaluation of other programs with similar methodology, and program appraisal using a different sample, such as the graduate's employer.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc500719
Date08 1900
CreatorsBrice, Bert Charles
ContributorsMiller, William A., Littlefield, C. L. (Cleatice Louis), DuChemin, Roderic, Casey, Don W.
PublisherNorth Texas State University
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formatvi, 100 leaves, Text
CoverageUnited States - Texas - Denton County - Denton
RightsPublic, Brice, Bert Charles, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

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