MSCHE Self Study April 2021

PhD Program Assessment Process As indicated in the College’s Assessment Plan , data collected for the PhD program are analyzed to determine if students are meeting its educational leaning objectives. When data suggest substantive shortcomings, potential solutions are formulated and implemented. While the analysis and formulation of potential solutions may be initiated at various administrative levels related to the PhD program, the forums/offices best suited for analysis, planning and implementation are: • Committee on Graduate Program, Policy, Admissions, and Standing • Dean’s Council • Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research The Committee on Graduate Programs, Policy, Admissions and Standing, which is elected by faculty who participate in the graduate program, has primary responsibility for assessment of the various graduate programs. It typically meets 3 or 4 times a year to consider changes in the Graduate Policy Document and to make recommendations concerning curricula and educational and admissions policies to the associate dean for research and graduate studies. The committee is expected to:  develop criteria for the evaluation of the curriculum  periodically review the curriculum  assess any proposed changes in the curriculum  suggest course sequencing and scheduling to provide the most efficient learning opportunities Recent Examples of Actions taken as Result of Assessments  A review of applications to the PhD program led to several initiatives intended to increase the applicant pool. These changes have resulted in a significant increase in the number of applicants to the doctoral program. The average number of annual applications from 2010 ‐ 2013 was 12.8, while this number increased to 21.3 from 2014 ‐ 2020. Over the past 5 years, we increased exposure of our doctoral program by o attending graduate school recruitment forums for undergraduates o sending recruitment information to select undergraduate programs in psychology, biology, and neuroscience and the Visionlist listserv o advertising the program at the annual American Academy of Optometry meetings  An assessment of the breadth of training within the PhD program led to agreements with neighboring institutions in the NYC metropolitan area to allow our students to attend courses offered at these schools as well as allowing graduate students at these schools to attend courses offered at the College of Optometry. Since 2014, 7 of our doctoral students have attended courses at Columbia University (Statistical Analysis of Neural Data), New York University (Bayesian Modeling of Behavior, Mathematical Tools for Vision Science), and Cornell University School of Medicine (Mathematical Structures in Neuroscience). Courses must be approved by the associate dean for graduate studies and research and Committee

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