Program Modifications
Spring 2016
Thanks to all of you for your interest and support in our counseling programs!
As acknowledged in our systematic, comprehensive evaluation plan, data are collected, analyzed and used in a continuous systematic manner to evaluate and inform ongoing program changes. As a result, we believe we are responsive to our stakeholders and ensuring improvement.
Student Recruitment and Retention
We have been fortunate to apply and be granted an additional $10,000 in recruitment funds for our department from the university Academic Affairs each of the last four years as well as two additional Graduate Assistantships to complement the in-place college Graduate Assistantships we are awarded. The impact of these funds is demonstrated by growing of student application numbers (almost doubled during the four years) with a resultant selection of even more highly qualified students into our programs.
In response to your feedback and using the funds, we have added several new recruitment strategies plus evaluated and then expanded of some of our prior recruitment strategies. Now, we:
· reimburse partial travel costs incurred by prospective students during campus visits (very important for our frontier state)
· sponsor campus and social events for prospective students with current students, alumni and faculty members.
· enhance marketing efforts with special focus on printed materials, booth rental at conference exhibition halls, and conference displays.
· continue to expand our social media efforts which appear to boost interest in programs overall and particular faculty members.
Comprehensive Examinations?
In response to doctoral student feedback and employer input, we are reconsidering the use of PhD e-Portfolio Reviews. The students brought forward the idea that the portfolios were considered busywork and not very useful for the professional or personal growth. We are moving toward comprehensive examinations in the spring of the second doctoral year. Progress is slow as we consider all possibilities and implications.
Student Performance and Improvement
As faculty, we always support students to personally and professionally grow. In response to student need and unclear policy, we identified student performance as an area that needed standardization across faculty. Using evidence-based practices, the faculty developed and adopted a standard form to use for all students who need a bit extra help.
2016 CACREP standards
With new standards now issued, we’ll relook at our program objectives, align the curriculum of all programs, and choose key indicators to give us data for evaluating the effectiveness of our Student Learning Outcomes. We’ll be asking you to help us at the conferences of the Wyoming School Counselors and Wyoming Counseling Association. In addition, we’ll survey our graduates, supervisors, employers and other stakeholders as to your perceptions of the program and overall feedback for us!