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MIT Programmatic Outcomes

The Educational and Professional Objectives of the MIT program are:

  • Graduates of the MIT program will be able to utilize both theory and methods of current information technology.

  • Graduates of the MIT program will be proficient in the application of information technology in a teamwork environment.

  • Graduates of the MIT program will understand the ethics and and impact on society of information technology.

  • Graduates of the MIT program will have an understanding of the importance of continued education and lifelong learning.

Additional program objectives as determined by the MIT Graduate Program Committee:

  • Increase number of entering students

  • Increase class enrollment

  • Increase program graduation rates

  • Provide ability to teach special topic courses

Program Assessment

The process for assessment of the MIT program is administered through the program’s graduate advisor and graduate program committee. The roles of these two entities are as follows:

The MIT Graduate Program Committee is responsible for

  1. setting policy regarding such things as
    1. curriculum (core courses and course requirements)
    2. program requirements
    3. basic criteria for admissions
    4. format and criteria for Thesis defenses
    5. format of the comprehensive final exams
    6. criteria for evaluating results of comprehensive final exams and making recommendations for passing exam
  2. evaluating and revising the curriculum,
  3. defining recruitment and retention strategies,
  4. assisting and advising the graduate advisor on difficult issues, and
  5. evaluating the health of the program and proposing strategies for improvement.

The MIT Graduate Advisor represents the MIT program to current and potential graduate students.  In particular, the graduate advisor:

  1. evaluates admission applications according the policy set by the graduate committee,

  2. advises students,

  3. handles paperwork regarding the MIT program,

  4. serves as a general ombudsman for students, and

  5. informs faculty of issues and opportunities.

The Graduate Advisor reports on activities to the Head of CS and IDS departments.  He or she handles communication with the Graduate School and the Office of International Programs.

Assessment Tools

The tools and methods employed by the aforementioned in assessing the MIT program objectives include:  

  • Graduating student exit interviews

These are brief interviews with graduating students conducted during the student’s final semester or immediately after graduation. Data are collected about their assessment of how well the program achieved its objectives in their particular case. These data are used to evaluate achievement of the department’s educational objectives. 

  • University graduated student survey

This survey is conducted bi-annually by the University's Office of Institutional Evaluation. The survey collects data with respect to the former student's impressions of the MIT program and their current employment status.

  • Current student program survey

This is a onetime survey used to look at the feasibility and possible market for a MS CIS degree. It also surveyed MIT students on the program's curriculum.

  • Analysis of graduation rates

Trends in the acceptance, enrollment and graduation of students are reviewed to look for signs of success or failure of program policies.  

  • Departmental advisory board

The department’s advisory board provides feedback from the department’s primary constituencies other than students. Although the CS program is the primary focus of the advisory board, their input and recommendations cover all aspects of the department's programs and activities, including the MIT program. Their input is used to evaluate achievement of the department’s educational, research and service objectives. Their input and recommendations are further used to guide the direction and plans for long-term development of the MIT program.  

Success Indicators

The success indicators for the MIT program include the following:

  • Graduate Student Exit Interviews
    Evaluation of data collected during exit interviews verifies that the MIT program is successfully meeting it's goals with respect to the program outcomes. Exit interviews conducted with graduating MIT students from Fall 2004 to Fall 2005 give the following results    :
    • 92% of the students feel that the department provided a well-rounded education in theory and methods.
    • 100% of the students feel that the department provided a well-rounded education in applications and teamwork.
    • 85% of the students feel that the department provided a well-rounded education in ethics and society.
    • 85% of the students feel that the department provided a well-rounded education in lifelong learning.

     

  • Current student program survey
    Some of the more relevant results from the survey were:

    When asked what are the major strengths of the current MIT program

    • 32% Provides general knowledge needed for today’s work place
    • 23% It is an hybrid of technical (CS) and managerial (CIS) contents

    • 11% Much of the course materials are relevant to the current job market

    • 10% A good alternative for people without a technical background

    When asked if the MIT program in its present form fully meets their graduation needs

    • 13% Strongly Agreed
    • 26% Agreed
    • 49% Neutral
    • 9% Disagree
    • 3% Strongly Disagree

    When asked if the MIT program effectively prepared graduates for the job market

    • 18% Strongly Agreed
    • 29% Agreed
    • 42% Neutral
    • 11% Disagree
    • 0% Strongly Disagree

    When given an option in IT Graduate education at UTEP the student would choose

    • 61% Current MIT Program or modified MIT program
    • 39% MS CIS

     

  • Graduation Rates
    The graduation rate of the MIT program has increased over the last year as follows:
    • 4 graduated Fall 2004
    • 3 graduated Spring/Summer 2005
    • 6 graduated Fall 2005
    • 7 estimated to graduate Spring 2006

Outcome Modifications   

The following changes were made to better meet the outcomes of the MIT program:

  • A special topics in IT course was approved for the program.
  • Several other new classes were added to the curriculum.
  • The admission policy was changed to allow students a 'free term' to take MIT classes while they are in the process of applying to the program.
  • A survey was conducted to look into the applicant pool of the MIT program.
  • The graduate advisor was employed part time during the summer to assist applicants, students, and program graduates.

 Future Outcome Modifications

The following recommendations are to assist in modifying the future program outcomes.

  • The MIT program needs to promote itself better although it does well with no advertising.
  • Finalize the National Information Assurance Training program with the CS department.
  • Find a source of funding for hands on lab assistance.
  • Continue to innovate the curriculum.
  • Continue to employ the graduate advisor during the summer to maintain continuity of the program and increase enrollment.

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