2010 Alumni Survey - Highlights

2010 Alumni Survey - Highlights

This report summarizes the findings of the seventeenth annual Alumni Survey. As a component of the University of the Sciences’ overall assessment efforts, the 2010 Alumni Survey is designed to provide the University with information regarding graduates’ professional accomplishments and their assessment of their USciences academic experiences. Alumni Survey findings are disseminated to members of the USciences community in support of strategic planning efforts, program reviews, and quality improvement initiatives.

Invitations to participate in the 2010 survey were forwarded to all alumni from the graduating classes of 2007, 2005, and 2000. Of the 1115 alumni contacted to participate in the survey, 108 graduates submitted completed surveys.

Career Achievement

USciences graduates are actively working in the health professions and science careers. Ninety-three percent are employed in areas related to their major field of study. Pharmacy represents the career area identified by the largest group of alumni. Only two graduates reported being unemployed (not by choice). A review of the results of all seventeen Alumni Surveys, which include more than 3700 respondents, reveals that only ten graduates were unemployed, not by their choice. Moreover, despite the current economic downturn , USciences graduates are continuing to progress in their careers. More than half (55%) have been promoted or changed jobs to an advanced position in the last two years.

Professional Development

Survey results indicate that USciences alumni value continued learning. About 60% have taken a course of some kind and 50% have attended a professional meeting in the last two years. More than 40% regularly attend continuing education programs. Further evidence of professional development is shown by the number of graduates seeking advanced education. About 30% have completed an advanced degree. In addition, 15% completed a residency program and 13% finished a professional certification program.

Satisfaction with Academic Experiences

Graduates have a number of criticisms about the University in general and concerning specific academic programs (See Appendix V). Nonetheless, a majority of alumni are satisfied with their USciences educational experiences. In particular, graduates expressed the highest levels of satisfaction with their major program of study (91%), their overall academic experience (84%), their overall experience as a student at USciences (82%), and the accessibility of faculty (81%). Almost 80% of the alumni also report that they were satisfied with their Core Curriculum courses and the quality of relationships with faculty in their majors. Consistent with prior surveys, graduates were least satisfied with the quality of academic advising in their major and advising during their first two years. In general, Pharmacy graduates provided somewhat lower satisfaction ratings than other majors. Seventy percent of the graduates would attend USciences again if they were given the choice and 80% would recommend USciences to others. Satisfaction with academic experiences is also reflected in the finding that 92% of the graduates feel that their USciences education is an important factor in their current level of professional success.

Educational Objectives

Alumni feel their education was highly effective in helping them achieve eight of twelve learning objectives. Most alumni believe that their program of study gave them a concentrated knowledge of their discipline. More than three-fourths feel that their education prepared them for their present job or career, provided them with the necessary tools for communication, and prepared them to become functioning citizens of their communities. More than half of the graduates provided high effectiveness ratings for educational objectives related to helping them achieve their personal goals, broadening their intellectual interests, giving them the background to make ethical decisions, and helping them understand other cultures. In line with the findings from prior surveys, a lower percentage of alumni provided high effectiveness ratings for learning objectives related to the fine arts, history, literature, and social science.

Academic Preparation

A majority of alumni feel their academic preparation was highly effective in thirteen of the fifteen listed knowledge/skill areas. The highest effectiveness ratings were associated with professional skills in their disciplines, the ability to learn on their own, the ability to work independently, the ability to use technology for professional activities, their interest in continued learning, and the ability to locate and use professional literature. Less than half the graduates felt their academic preparation in mathematical and writing skills was highly effective.

Alumni Attachment

Almost all alumni (94%) Strongly Agreed or Agreed with the statement, “I am proud to be a USP graduate.” Comparison of alumni majors revealed that a slightly lower percentage of Pharmacy graduates responded positively to this item. About two-thirds of alumni feel a sense of connection to the University. Pharmacy and Health Sciences majors were less positive than All Other Majors. Sixty-seven percent of alumni would like to be more engaged with the University. Once more, Pharmacy and Health Sciences majors provided slightly fewer positive responses to this item than All Other Majors.

Open-ended Questions

Alumni had the opportunity to express their views about what they found positive and problematic about USciences. Seventy-two percent of those responding to the survey addressed the question, “What is USP’s greatest strength?” Close to three-quarters of the comments received focused on three perceived strengths: the nature and quality of the education they received; the history and reputation of the University; and, the quality of the faculty. Sixty-five percent of the survey respondents provided answers to the second open-ended question, “What do you think USP needs to do to improve?” More than three-quarters of the comments received for this question focused on four areas: pharmacy program improvements; general university improvements; (non-pharmacy) program-specific improvements; and, student life improvements.

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