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Exit Interviews: A Decade of Data to Improve Student Learning Experiences
Author(s) -
Kacius Carole,
Stone Cynthia L.,
Bigatti Silvia
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
assessment update
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1536-0725
pISSN - 1041-6099
DOI - 10.1002/au.30035
Subject(s) - citation , library science , sociology , computer science
Background Systematic and ongoing evaluation is necessary to improve the quality of academic programs and help plan for the future. Faculty members have a responsibility to integrate evaluation techniques to continuously improve graduate students’ experiences in which they are taught, socialized, and prepared for careers (Anderson and Swazey, 1998). Understanding the strengths and challenges of a program enables administrators to prioritize goals, allocate resources, increase student satisfaction, influence change and improve retention. Academic program faculty must respond to the needs of students as they move through their graduate experience (Polson, 2003). A number of evaluation techniques serve as exemplars for addressing programmatic incremental needs by providing both timely and longitudinal data collection (Hardré and Hackett, 2014). The authors of this study conducted a program evaluation using a mixedmethod approach that involved gathering descriptive, quantitative, and qualitative data from current students, alumni, and employers of alumni. The approach included exit interviews with graduating students to assess and improve student learning experiences, institutional processes, curriculum, and student services. Prospective quality assurance, through methods such as exit interviews, can assure that the educational experiences meet the mission of an academic unit currently and in the future (Biggs, 2001). This paper describes the process of collecting and using qualitative data gleaned from exit interviews to improve a master’s degree program in public health. The Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health faculty use exit interviews for all levels of programming. This includes three undergraduate majors, the Master of Public Health (MPH), the Master of Health Administration, the Master of Science in Biostatistics, and three PhD programs. The use of an exit survey started with the MPH program and expanded to other programs as well. Additional program evaluation methods include a final paper and poster presentation, a capstone presentation to community partners, alumni surveys and employer surveys.